1. Drymen and Doune Castle: Game of Thrones
Robert Stewart, the first Duke of Albany and King of Scotland in the 14th century, probably didn't intend to create THE perfect film set. Nevertheless, he succeeded. Doune Castle is the epitome of a late medieval castle. Perched on a rocky outcrop over the River Teith in the former county of Stirling, the castle has made countless appearances on screen and television. Just recently, it served as Leoch Castle in the Highland saga "Outlander". Doune Castle alias Camelot became famous as a filming location 40 years ago in "Knights of the Coconut" by English comedian Monty Python. Doune Castle received the accolade as a filming location as Winterfell Castle in the fantasy series "Game of Thrones". Winterfell Castle is the 8,000-year-old seat of House Stark and the main setting of the first season of the series.
2. Glencoe: James Bond
The village of Glencoe in the Highlands is one of the most beautiful places in Scotland. Picturesquely situated in the stunning countryside between the shores of Loch Leven and the famous mountain gorges of Glen Coe, this destination is an impressive backdrop for countless film moments. For example, the home of Britain's most famous secret agent – James Bond – is located in stunning Glen Coe. In "Skyfall", Daniel Craig returns to his Scottish roots as James Bond on the family estate Skyfall Lodge. The estate is razed to the ground in the action-packed end of the flick – unfortunately only computer-animated. If you still want to immerse yourself in the iconic filming location, simply follow in the footsteps of the British secret agent and the same road that 007 drives along in "Skyfall" on the way to the family estate.
3. Glenfinnan Viaduct: Harry Potter
Be warned – there is potential for addiction. At least for all Harry Potter fans among you. The Glenfinnan Viaduct is a magical railway bridge in Glenfinnan in the West Highlands and a veritable pilgrimage site for lovers of the magical Harry Potter films. The Hogwarts Express runs along the route and takes the wizarding students to Hogwarts. In real Scotland, the Jacobite Steam Train crosses the bridge and travels from Fort William to Mallaig. Harry Potter fans can drop into the deep cushions in the rustic carriages and dream themselves into the magical world of Harry, Hermione and Co. On the way, a beautiful landscape passes by. The train passes Loch Shiel – Hogwarts Lake in the Harry Potter films. A tip: It's best to book tickets for the Jacobite Steam Train a few weeks before your trip to Scotland.
4. Glen Nevis: Braveheart
Glen Nevis in the Scottish Highlands south of Fort William is not only a popular excursion and hiking area for outdoor fans, but also the filming location for the Scotland cult film "Braveheart" with Mel Gibson in the lead role as William Wallace. The film is based on actual historical events and the Scottish uprisings against the English at the end of the 13th century. The best way to explore the breathtaking scenery is on foot. Leave your car in the parking lot at the Glen Nevis Visitor Centre and head towards the River Nevis. At the end of the road you will come across two large, prominent mounds of earth and a path winds down to the river. The path leads past the landscape that was used as a filming location for the main character's home village. The opening scenes of the film were also filmed here. Several film scenes were also placed on the river itself.
5. Eilean Donan Castle: Highlander
The most photographed castle in the world is probably located in Scotland, was built in 1220 and is called Eilean Donan Castle. The castle is perched on a small headland on Loch Duich in the western Highlands. At high tide, the headland becomes an island and the castle can only be reached via a stone footbridge. The castle is not only picturesque, but also strategically valuable for defence. It has been the scene of numerous battles in the past. Today, Eilean Donan Castle is the setting for Hollywood productions. Film fans know the castle as the castle of the MacLeod in the fantasy action epic "Highlander". Guided tours of the castle are skilfully staged. In kilts and with a lot of heart and soul, the guides report on the history of the fortress and lead to the Highlander filming locations on the grounds.
6. Isle of Skye – Old Man of Storr: Prometheus
No landscape belongs more on the screen of a cinema than that of the largest island in the Inner Hebrides. The Isle of Skye in the Atlantic Ocean is located just off the west coast of mainland Scotland. The island is a magical place and inspires with rugged mountain ranges, miles of coastline and poignant history. Bring your own vehicle and dive into the adventure on Skye! As you drive across the island, you'll pass majestic geological features of the island. Take your hiking boots out of the trunk and continue exploring the magical place on foot – for example, the gigantic Old Man of Storr rock needle – a well-known filming location on the Trotternish Peninsula. Ridley Scott's sci-fi thriller "Prometheus" begins here in Scotland in the year 2089. An archaeologist finds the ancient star map with the planetary constellation there.
7. Dunrobin Castle: Rosamunde Pilcher
In the far north of the Scottish Highlands on the east coast, a true fairytale castle awaits film fans. Dunrobin Castle, with six towers, numerous bay windows, almost 200 rooms and picturesque gardens, almost seems to have sprung from a magical fantasy world. Anyone who sees the white castle inevitably thinks of a romantic film set. German filmmakers have also thought so and have already used the castle including the estate several times for major ZDF productions of the popular Rosamunde Pilcher novel film adaptations - for example for "Winter Sun" and "Magic of Love". The current lord of the castle, Lord Strathnaver, is happy to open the castle to visitors who are on their way to the Orkney Islands or on a Scotland tour. The castle, gardens, a museum and even falconry demonstrations can be visited from April to October. On the magnificent estate there are luxurious houses that can be rented including service.
8. Hopetoun House: Outlander
Large parts of the first season of the historical series adaptation "Outlander" were filmed in Scotland. The series creators have already been taken several times to a fascinating filming location not far from South Queensferry in the Scottish Lowlands, about 15 km west of the Scottish capital Edinburgh. Hopetoun House was built in the 17th century in the Gregorian style and has impressive ceiling paintings in addition to the representative staircase. As the mansion of the scheming Duke of Sandringham, scenes from the first and also the new second season take place in this wonderful castle. For the series, the estate was digitally edited and scaled down. In reality, it's much bigger and more impressive. The castle is currently closed to visitors, but it will reopen at Easter 2017.
9. Rosslyn Chapel: The Da Vinci Code
Rosslyn Chapel is a 15th-century church located in the village of Roslin near Edinburgh and is one of Scotland's most famous sights. Conspiracy theorists from all over the world make a pilgrimage to Roslin in the footsteps of the Knights Templar or try to elicit the secrets of the Freemasons from the chapel. Almost 130,000 visitors visit the chapel and its magnificent stonemasonry work every year. A large part of the attraction is based on bestselling author Dan Brown and the book "The Da Vinci Code", which has sold millions of copies. The main actors in the film adaptation of the same name follow mystical traces that also lead them to Rosslyn Chapel. Numerous interior shots for the film were filmed in the chapel.
10. Alnwick Castle: Robin Hood
The castle complex in Alnwick, England, is the second largest aristocratic residence in England after Windsor Castle and the ancestral seat of the Percy family. Granted, we wanted to take you to famous filming locations in Scotland, but the fascinating castle in Northumberland is just a stone's throw from the Scottish border. Alnwick Castle and the surrounding parkland provide dramatic and unspoilt backdrops for filmmakers. From Harry Potter to Elizabeth to Kevin Reynolds, the all-time classic film "Robin Hood – King of Thieves" with Kevin Costner. In this film, it serves as a filming location for the famous Nottingham Castle.
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