Given the Highlands’ incredible landscape and scenery, it should come as no surprise to hear that the region has served as a backdrop for a number of popular movies and TV shows. From Harry Potter to James Bond, Outlander, The Crown, and Braveheart, the Scottish Highlands have graced our TV screens for years and continue to do so. Featuring rugged mountains, lush glens, stunning lochs, and striking castles, here are nine magical filming locations in the Highlands that are sure to fascinate and captivate you!
Glen Coe
Featured Productions: Braveheart, Harry Potter, Highlander, James Bond: Skyfall, Mary Queen of Scots, Monty Python and the Holy Grail, Outlander, Outlaw King, and Rob Roy
Praised for its stunning scenery, Glen Coe is, without a doubt, one of the most popular filming locations in the Highlands. The valley and its dramatic landscapes have been featured in several film productions, including Braveheart, James Bond: Skyfall, Outlaw King, Rob Roy, Highlander, Mary Queen of Scots, and Outlander. However, one of its most notable appearances was in the Harry Potter films, where it served as the location of Hagrid’s Hut, the Hogwarts Bridge, and the Sundial Garden. In addition to this, Glen Coe was prominently featured in Monty Python and the Holy Grail, during which it was used as the location for the Bridge of Death.
Cairngorm National Park
Featured Productions: Centurion, Mary Queen of Scots, Monarch of the Glen, Mrs. Brown, Outlander, Outlaw King, Salmon Fishing in Yemen, The Crown, The Queen, Victoria, and Victoria & Abdul
Spanning 4,528 square kilometres, Cairngorm National Park is Scotland’s largest and most filmed national park. Throughout the years, it’s appeared in a number of motion pictures, including Centurion, Outlaw King, The Queen, Victoria & Abdul, Mary Queen of Scots, Outlander, and Victoria. Ardverikie Estate, which is located within the park, is a particularly popular filming location. It’s most famous for its repeated appearances in BBC’s Monarch of the Glen, where it served as the Glenbogle Estate. However, it has been featured in several other productions, including The Crown, Salmon Fishing in Yemen, Mrs. Brown, and The Missionary.
Glen Nevis
Featured Productions: Braveheart, Detective Pikachu, Harry Potter, Highlander, and Roby Roy
Home to the UK’s highest mountain peak, Glen Nevis is an iconic destination that’s been featured in several high-profile productions. From Braveheart to Detective Pikachu, Harry Potter, Highlander, and Roby Roy, this valley has certainly made a name for itself. Some of its most notable appearances include serving as the village of Lanark in Braveheart, acting as a backdrop during the Triwizard Tournament in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, and setting the scene leading up to the sword fight in Rob Roy.
Glen Etive & Loch Etive
Featured Productions: Harry Potter and James Bond: Skyfall
A popular destination for scenic drives, Glen Etive has been featured in a couple of significant film productions. Of particular note is James Bond: Skyfall, during which the valley served as the location of the Skyfall house. Meanwhile, several Harry Potter scenes took place in the neighbouring Loch Etive, a saltwater loch known for its white water rapids. Here you’ll find the island that served as the burial grounds for Dumbledore, as well as the location where Voldemort steals the Elder Wand.
Glenfinnan Viaduct
Featured Production: Harry Potter
Glenfinnan Viaduct is, undoubtedly, one of the most well-known filming locations for Harry Potter. This scenic railway bridge has appeared in several of the franchise’s movies, serving as the railroad that leads to Hogwarts. If you like, you can even travel along this route via the Jacobite Steam Train, the same train used as inspiration for the Hogwarts train!
Loch Shiel
Featured Production: Harry Potter
Located near the Glenfinnan Viaduct, Loch Shiel is another prominent filming location used throughout the Harry Potter movies. While it does make an appearance in just about every film, its most notable feature is in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. During the Triwizard Tournament, Loch Shiel is used as the setting for the second stage of the tournament, the underwater challenge.
Rannoch Moor
Featured Productions: Being Human, Harry Potter, Monty Python and the Holy Grail, Rob Roy, and Trainspotting
Representing authentic Scottish wilderness, Rannoch Moor is a boggy moorland that has been featured in several films, including Being Human, Monty Python and the Holy Grail, and Rob Roy. One of its most notable appearances, however, was in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1, where it served as the backdrop for the Death Eater train scene. The moorland was also featured in Trainspotting, where it was used as a setting for the boys’ nature walk.
Kinloch Rannoch
Featured Production: Outlander
Overlooking Loch Rannoch, Kinloch Rannoch is a small, remote village that was prominently featured in the historical TV show Outlander. Meant to portray the fictional location of Craigh na Dun, Kinloch Rannoch was at one point in time home to the mythical stones that Claire and other characters used to travel through time. While the stones may no longer be there (they were made of styrofoam), the backdrop for this important location in the film remains.
Pennan
Featured Production: Local Hero
Situated along the northern Aberdeenshire coast, Pennan is a small, remote fishing village that consists of a harbour, one street, and a very small row of houses. While this unassuming destination may not appear to be much, it did play quite an important role in the Scottish film, Local Hero. Serving as the fictional village of Ferness, Pennan is home to the movie’s iconic red telephone box.