Scotland isn’t short of breathtaking scenery. From a wander along the Fife Coastal Path to a drive around the North Coast 500, there are plenty of gorgeous landscapes to enjoy. In fact, the selection is so vast it can be hard to choose where to start.
However, if you’re a film or tv buff you can whittle your sightseeing list down to a handful of key iconic locations. Fans of The Batman, One Day, and even James Bond will be able to find something to see in Scotland. However, Stirling locals are particularly lucky. Many famous movie moments happen in the county, or a stone’s throw away.
One of the most popular nearby filming locations is Doune Castle, famous for featuring in Outlander, where it was renamed Castle Leoch and home to Colum MacKenzie. However, a different audience may recognise it from the famous French taunting scene in Monty Python and the Holy Grail. If fans of either franchise are visiting, they can take an audio tour narrated by Monty Python’s Terry Jones or Sam Heughan who plays Jamie, the protagonist of Outlander.
On the topic of The Holy Grail, Arnhall Castle and The Bracklin Falls are both just a half-hour drive from the University of Stirling campus. Additionally, Sherriffmuir sits alongside the campus and is the location for the film’s end battle scene. Effectively, Stirling is a Monty Python fan’s dream.
Whilst Ireland may be home to many sights for Game of Thrones fans, Stirling has some claim to fame too. In the pilot episode, the very same Doune Castle became Winterfell, the famous home of the Starks. Although, the rest of the show used a castle in County Down.
Whilst not as popular, Stirling Castle has also been used in film. The Outlaw King and Mary Queen of Scots (2018) both used the castle to tell their Scottish tales.
Glenfinnan viaduct, Glen Coe, West Sands Beach, Culross; Scotland has plenty to offer film and TV fans. Some locations, like the four just listed, will be on the busier side. If you’re keen to explore Scotland and want to seek some movie magic without the hassle of crowds, then you know where to go: Stirling.
Feature image credit: EMI Films
Editor-in-Chief.
Twitter/X and BlueSky: @AlexPaterson01
