From the gothic arches of Glasgow Cathedral to the raw windswept cliffs of Skye, Scotland’s natural and urban scenery has shaped some of cinema’s most unforgettable moments. Whether you’re a fan of Hollywood blockbusters, haunting folk horror, or working-class realism, this country offers a film set come to life. Here’s your curated cinematic itinerary through Scotland—where every loch, lane and castle has a story to tell.
Edinburgh: Grit, Glory, and Gothic Shadows
Key Films: Trainspotting (1996), Avengers: Infinity War (2018), The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie (1969)
Must-Visit Spots: Princes Street, Calton Road, the Royal Mile, Greyfriars Kirk
Scotland’s capital is a paradox: ancient and rebellious, literary and wild. For fans of Trainspotting, the journey begins on Princes Street where Renton and Spud flee security guards to Iggy Pop’s “Lust for Life.” Though the film’s grungier scenes were shot mostly in Glasgow, Edinburgh provided the spiritual and literary pulse.
Head to Leith—the working-class district immortalised in Irvine Welsh’s novel—for a rawer glimpse into the story. For Marvel fans, the Royal Mile and Waverley Station hosted a key battle between Vision, Scarlet Witch, and Thanos’s henchmen in Avengers: Infinity War—a surprising blend of cosmic destruction and cobbled charm.
Don’t miss the older canon: Muriel Spark’s The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie (1969) can be retraced through Greyfriars Kirk and George Heriot’s School. Edinburgh has always loved stories—and its skyline makes every tale feel eternal.
Glasgow: Scotland’s Cinematic Chameleon
Key Films: Red Road (2006), World War Z (2013), Cloud Atlas (2012), The Flash (2023)
Must-Visit Spots: Red Road estate site, Govan, Glasgow Cathedral, George Square
With its adaptable cityscape and Victorian grid, Glasgow has doubled as Philadelphia (World War Z), San Francisco (Cloud Atlas), and even Gotham (The Flash). But behind the CGI and costume changes lies a cinematic identity all its own—especially in Britain’s social realist tradition.
Red Road, directed by Andrea Arnold, was shot in the now-demolished Red Road flats, whose eerie isolation mirrored the protagonist’s inner turmoil. Meanwhile, Ratcatcher (1999), Lynne Ramsay’s poignant debut set during the 1973 bin strikes, captured childhood in a decaying city with poetic minimalism. Ramsay’s Glasgow is lyrical, haunted, and essential viewing.
For a medieval detour, visit Glasgow Cathedral, which appeared in Outlaw King (2018) as a stand-in for 14th-century settings. Then swing by George Square—Scotland’s go-to for urban transformation—seen in everything from The Batman to Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny.
The Highlands: Epic, Eternal, and Eerie
Key Films: Braveheart (1995), Skyfall (2012), The Wicker Man (1973), Outlaw King (2018)
Must-Visit Spots: Glen Coe, Glen Etive, Skye, Fort William, Callanish Stones
If cinema is Scotland’s dream language, the Highlands are where it whispers most vividly. Few locations conjure cinematic awe like Glen Coe, featured in Skyfall as James Bond’s spiritual homeland. Nearby Glen Etive—where 007 and M drive into bleak mist—is equally stirring. The sheer scale of these landscapes makes them frequent stand-ins for epic drama.
Mel Gibson’s Braveheart may have played fast and loose with history, but it etched Loch Leven and Glen Nevis into global memory. Meanwhile, Outlaw King (2018) reclaimed some historical accuracy with its sweeping battle sequences across Stirling and Fort William.
For a darker tone, head to the Callanish Stones on the Isle of Lewis—linked to both The Wicker Man and Brave. Their ancient, foreboding presence has made them a haunting symbol in folklore and film.
Islands and Ruins: Where Fantasy Finds a Home
Key Films: Harry Potter Series, Macbeth (2015), Highlander (1986)
Must-Visit Spots: Glenfinnan Viaduct, Eilean Donan Castle, Skye, Orkney
Scotland’s islands and ruins are playgrounds for fantasy. None more so than Glenfinnan Viaduct, instantly recognisable to Harry Potter fans as the route of the Hogwarts Express. Trains still cross the viaduct daily in summer—a moment of pure cinematic magic.
Further north, Eilean Donan Castle starred in Highlander and The World Is Not Enough, its stoic ramparts rising over Loch Duich like a living movie set. Meanwhile, the Isle of Skye’s Quiraing cliffs formed the backdrop to the 2015 adaptation of Macbeth, a vision of mist, blood, and betrayal.
The windswept Orkney Islands, used in films such as The Eagle (2011), are also becoming a quiet favourite for directors seeking ancient drama and elemental fury.
Bonus: Scotland on the Small Screen
Don’t forget Scotland’s TV legacy, either. From the rugged beauty of Outlander to the coastal charm of Hamish Macbeth, series like Shetland, Rebus, and Annika have brought the country’s moods and mysteries to screens big and small.
Scotland, Through a Director’s Eyes
To walk through Scotland is to walk through decades of cinematic history. The cities might surprise you with their versatility, while the landscapes never fail to awe. Whether you’re a film student, a camera-toting tourist, or just someone who loves a good story—Scotland is ready for your close-up.
