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Scotland's Famous Film (Movie) Locations
What is it about being somewhere that you have seen in a film? I don't know why it suddenly makes somewhere more interesting, but for some reason it does. Below is just a smattering of locations made famous by the visit of a blockbuster film crew.
Eilean Donan Castle probably appears on still and movie film more than any other castle in the world. Situated on the road to Skye, this hopelessly romantic castle has appeared in many films including the World is Not Enough and probably most famously in the cult classic Highlander. Remember the scene about "peein' yer pants" before going into battle? Highlander fans can then continue on to the Coich in the Black Cullins where the famous mountain top sword-fighting scene was made. The actors had to be put on to the top of the rock by helicopter.
Yells of 'cut' have recently been echoing around the mountains of Glencoe with the filming of the third Harry Potter movie - Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. The scenes will feature Hagrid's hideaway (filmed at the Claichaig Inn around three miles from Glencoe village) and the gatehouse to Hogwarts, making the most of the dramatic scenery. The purpose built set was constructed for a reported two million pounds.
Glencoe was also used in Braveheart. Mel Gibson actually did much of his freedom fighting in Ireland, much to the disgust of many Scots. However a medieval village was built in Glen Nevis and the Mamore Mountains were also used as a backdrop.
Those Scots smarting about Ireland "stealing" some of the Braveheart scenes will be delighted to hear that the Channel Tunnel is not actually in England. Well - according to Mission Impossible anyway. The helicopter and train drama before going into the tunnel was filmed on the Kilmarnock to Dumfries railway.
Bond fans will be at home in Argyll. The boat chase in From Russia with Love was filmed on Loch Craignish near Crinan. The helicopter scene in the same film was taken in nearby Lochgilphead.
Chariots of Fire, the legendary dramatisation of the story of Eric Liddell and Harold Abrahams, was filmed at the Sma Glen near Perth, Edinburgh, and most notoriously at the West Sands beach at St Andrews.
Duart Castle on the island of Mull served as the mysterious castle hideaway for Sean Connery and Catherine Zeta Jones in Entrapment.
All in all, if you are a director, you're nobody if you haven't filmed in Scotland. You will probably be pleased to hear that an accelerated drive by the Scottish film industry is underway to encourage its use as a film backdrop. So if you can't visit for a while you should at least be able to see more and more of the beauty of Scotland's scenery on celluloid; the next best thing to being here for real.
This article was originally "printed" in the May 2003 issue of Uniquely Unspoilt, a free monthly e-magazine for those with an interest in rural Scotland.
Further Film Location Information
Scotland the Movie Location Guide
Cottages relevant to this article
The following holiday cottages are within easy reach of many of the locations mentioned here:
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