On Location: A Scottish Film Travel Guide

Some of Scotland’s most dramatic scenery and impressive sites have been used on the big screen. From Rosslyn chapel in The Da Vinci Code, the helicopter and train chase sequence in Mission: Impossible, to the impressive countryside around Greenock in Ken Loach’s Sweet Sixteen (even if the rest of the film is rather bleak). We’ve picked our top five here. And let’s not mention Braveheart (which was mostly filmed in Ireland!).

Corrour Station, Highlands
Trainspotting (1996, Danny Boyle)

While most of Danny Boyle’s Trainspotting is unlikely to feature on the usual tourist maps (that toilet anyone?) there’s one exception (well maybe two if you count the scene on Princes Street at the beginning). Renton, Spud, Sickboy and Tommy head out of the city on a trip up north. The famous scene with Renton’s “It’s shite being Scottish” speech was filmed at Corrour Station in the Highlands, on Rannoch Moor. It’s one of the most remote train stations in Scotland and not accessible by road. Take the West Highland Line north to get there.

Conic Hill
Carla’s Song (Loach, 1996)

Ken Loach is to be commended for many things, whether he be bringing political and economic injustice to the mainstream, refusing to compromise for conservative sensibilities, or simply finding the best locations for his gritty stories. He is not, however, a picture postcard filmmaker and his Scottish films reflect this profoundly. That said, Carla’s Song features one of the most beautiful and remote locations in Scottish cinema: Conic Hill. Tucked away behind a car park in Balmaha, the film’s picnic site features spectacular views of Loch Lomond, and is a favourite for hill walkers and slightly unhinged drivers alike.

Doune Castle, Doune
Bridge of Allen
Castle Stalker, Argyll
Glen Coe

Monty Python and the Holy Grail (Jones and Gilliam, 1975)

Planting a giant animated footprint all over the Arthurian legend, the Pythons shot Elvis Presley’s favourite film predominantly in Scotland. The attack on Castle Aargh! was shot in both Bridge of Allen and at Castle Stalker in Argyll, though you may have trouble identifying the Bridge of Death at Glen Coe.

Should you visit Doune Castle you will be awaited not by “nasty big pointy teeth” but instead the location of the Swamp castle wedding, Guy de Lombard castle (that’s the taunter) and Castle Anthrax, where the chastity of Sir Galahad is put to the ultimate test. Coconuts readily supplied, silly voices and wooden rabbits not.

Outer Hebrides
Plockton, Highlands
The Wicker Man (1973, Hardy)

Set in a remote island village called Summerisle, the exact real-life setting of this cult favourite isn’t certain. However, some believe the Isle of Harris’ barren, other-worldly landscape could have been the inspiration. Head to the Outer Hebrides to experience this rugged, almost lunar landscape. Filming for The Wicker Man took place mostly in Dumfries and Galloway but for the harbour and seafront of Summerisle, the pretty Highland town of Plockton was used.

Forth Rail Bridge, East Lothian
Glen Coe, Highlands
The Thirty Nine Steps (1935, Hitchcock)

Alfred Hitchcock’s adaptation of John Buchan’s novel, The 39 Steps, makes use of two fabulous Scottish locations; the iconic Forth Rail Bridge and Glen Coe in the Highlands. On the run from the police, Richard Hannay flees from London to Scotland by train. On the verge of being caught he makes a daring escape just as the train is passing over the Forth Rail Bridge. Take a trip to South Queensferry for a close-up of this incredible infrastructure. Further into the film the chase continues and takes in some of the countryside around Glen Coe, whose foreboding mountain scenery seems the perfect backdrop for the lonely existence of the fugitive.