From Hogwarts Express crossings to Outlander castles, Scotland's landscapes and historic sites have starred in dozens of productions. This guide covers the key filming locations, studio facilities and bookable tours.
Scotland draws screen tourists with rugged Highlands, historic villages and castles featured in Harry Potter films and Outlander. Key sites include Glenfinnan Viaduct, Doune Castle, Culross, Glencoe and Edinburgh's Old Town. Visitors can explore many locations independently or join guided day trips and multi-day tours from Edinburgh, Glasgow and Inverness.
Scotland's screen tourism appeal rests on its dramatic natural scenery and well-preserved historic buildings. Productions from Harry Potter and Outlander to Skyfall and Braveheart have used Highland glens, coastal villages and medieval castles as backdrops.
This page lists the main filming locations, studio facilities and bookable tours. Use the facts below to compare options and plan a visit to the places seen on screen.
Film and TV productions have shot in Scotland, spanning decades and genres. Harry Potter films used Glenfinnan Viaduct, Glencoe and Glen Nevis. Outlander filmed at Doune Castle, Culross and Midhope Castle. Braveheart and Skyfall used Glencoe and Glen Nevis. Other notable titles include Highlander at Eilean Donan Castle, The Da Vinci Code at Rosslyn Chapel, and Avengers: Infinity War on Edinburgh's Cockburn Street.
| Title | Year | Type | What was filmed here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban | 2004 | Film | Glencoe for Hagrid's hut and Hogwarts bridge |
| Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets | 2002 | Film | Glenfinnan Viaduct for Hogwarts Express flying car scene |
| Outlander | 2014- | TV | Doune Castle as Castle Leoch, Culross as Cranesmuir, Midhope Castle as Lallybroch |
| Braveheart | 1995 | Film | Glen Nevis and Glencoe for battle scenes and landscapes |
| Skyfall | 2012 | Film | Glencoe for Bond's childhood home and chase |
| Highlander | 1986 | Film | Eilean Donan Castle |
| Monty Python and the Holy Grail | 1975 | Film | Doune Castle for castle scenes |
| The Da Vinci Code | 2006 | Film | Rosslyn Chapel |
| Outlaw King | 2018 | Film | Blackness Castle and other historic sites |
| Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire | 2005 | Film | Steall Falls in Glen Nevis for Triwizard Tournament |
| Game of Thrones (pilot) | 2010 | TV | Doune Castle as Winterfell |
| The Wicker Man | 1973 | Film | Culzean Castle and Dumfries & Galloway |
| Avengers: Infinity War | 2018 | Film | Edinburgh streets including Cockburn Street |
| Rob Roy | 1995 | Film | Glencoe and Rannoch Moor |
| Local Hero | 1983 | Film | Pennan village |
| Mary Queen of Scots | 2018 | Film | Glencoe and other Highland sites |
| The 39 Steps | various adaptations | Film | Various Scottish locations including Glencoe |
| Shetland | 2013- | TV | Shetland Islands |
| Rebus | various | TV | Edinburgh streets |
| Trainspotting | 1996 | Film | Edinburgh locations |
13 locations. The map loads when it scrolls into view.
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors
Highlands, Glenfinnan Free to see
Filmed here: Hogwarts Express crossing the bridge
This railway viaduct in Glenfinnan appears in the Harry Potter series as the Hogwarts Express crossing. Visitors can view it from the roadside or ride the seasonal Jacobite steam train. Parking is available. The location is public and free to see, though train rides require tickets.
Stirlingshire, Doune Ticketed
Filmed here: Castle Leoch interiors/exteriors; Holy Grail castle scenes
Doune Castle in Stirlingshire served as Castle Leoch in Outlander and as the main castle in Monty Python and the Holy Grail. It is a Historic Environment Scotland site open daily with audio tours. Admission is ticketed. The castle's interiors and exteriors appear on screen.
Fife, Culross Free to see
Filmed here: Cranesmuir village and Culross Palace herb garden
The Fife village of Culross appears in Outlander as Cranesmuir, with its palace herb garden also featured. The village streets are free to explore, while Culross Palace is ticketed and managed by the National Trust for Scotland. The location is public.
Highlands, Dornie Ticketed
Filmed here: Castle exteriors and bridge
Eilean Donan Castle near Dornie is famous from Highlander, where its exteriors and bridge appear. The castle is a ticketed tourist site with a museum and seasonal opening. It sits on Loch Duich and is one of Scotland's most photographed castles.
Falkirk, Blackness Ticketed
Filmed here: Fort William prison and other scenes
Blackness Castle in Falkirk appears in Outlander as Fort William prison and in Outlaw King. This Historic Environment Scotland site is ticketed and offers coastal views. The castle's dramatic setting on the Firth of Forth has made it a frequent filming choice.
West Lothian, Abercorn Outside only
Filmed here: Lallybroch exterior and courtyard
Midhope Castle on Hopetoun Estate in West Lothian is the exterior of Lallybroch in Outlander. Access is exterior only, and the site is private but visible with permission. Fans can see the courtyard and building from outside.
Highlands, Glencoe Free to see
Filmed here: Hagrid's hut, Bond home, battle landscapes
Glencoe's dramatic valley appears in Harry Potter films as Hagrid's hut and Hogwarts bridge, in Skyfall as Bond's childhood home, and in Braveheart battle scenes. The area is a National Nature Reserve with roadside views and hiking trails. Access is public.
Highlands, Fort William Free to see
Filmed here: Battle scenes and Steall Falls Quidditch/Triwizard
Glen Nevis near Fort William features Steall Falls, used in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire for the Triwizard Tournament, and Braveheart battle scenes. The glen is a popular hiking area near Ben Nevis. The waterfall is accessible to walkers.
Midlothian, Roslin Ticketed
Filmed here: Chapel interiors and carvings
Rosslyn Chapel in Roslin appears in The Da Vinci Code, with its interiors and carvings featured. The chapel is a ticketed historic site offering guided tours. Its ornate stonework attracts both film fans and architecture enthusiasts.
Highlands, Dornie Free to see
Filmed here: Castle and loch scenes
The area around Eilean Donan Castle and Loch Duich appears in Highlander for castle and loch scenes. Views of the castle from the A87 road are public and free. The castle itself is ticketed, but the surrounding landscape can be enjoyed without admission.
South Ayrshire, Maybole Ticketed
Filmed here: Castle and grounds
Culzean Castle in South Ayrshire appears in The Wicker Man, with its castle and grounds used. The property is managed by the National Trust for Scotland and includes gardens. Admission is ticketed. The clifftop castle overlooks the Firth of Clyde.
Aberdeenshire, Pennan Free to see
Filmed here: Village as Ferness
The Aberdeenshire village of Pennan appears in Local Hero as the fictional Ferness. Visitors can see the small coastal settlement and its red phone box, which became a symbol of the film. The village is public and free to explore.
Edinburgh Free to see
Filmed here: Street scenes and action sequences
Edinburgh's Old Town and Cockburn Street appear in Avengers: Infinity War and Trainspotting. The historic streets are free to walk and busy with tourists. The area's layered architecture and closes provide a backdrop for action sequences and urban scenes.
Scotland has two main studio facilities. Wardpark Studios in Cumbernauld is the primary studio for Outlander. FirstStage Studios in Leith, Edinburgh EH6 7AH, is used for high-end TV and film including The Rig. VisitScotland also offers guided film locations tours to Harry Potter and Outlander sites.
Bookable tours connect visitors to the main filming locations. Day trips from Edinburgh, Glasgow and Inverness cover Glenfinnan Viaduct, Glencoe, Fort William and Outlander sites. Multi-day options include the Isle of Skye and Jacobite steam train. Ratings range from 4.4 to 5.0 across thousands of reviews.
Edinburgh: Glenfinnan Viaduct, Glencoe & Fort William
This day trip from Edinburgh visits Glenfinnan Viaduct, Glencoe and Fort William, with a 4.9 rating from 6,402 reviews and a price of $88.22.
Outlander Film Locations Day Trip from Edinburgh
This day trip from Edinburgh focuses on Outlander filming locations, with a 4.9 rating from 2,145 reviews and a price of $107.74.
Hogwarts Express and the Scenic Highlands Day Tour from Inverness
This day tour from Inverness covers the Hogwarts Express route and scenic Highlands, with a 4.7 rating from 2,037 reviews.
Hogwarts Express and Scottish Highlands Tour from Edinburgh
This tour from Edinburgh combines the Hogwarts Express experience with Scottish Highlands scenery, rated 4.8 from 1,726 reviews.
Edinburgh: Glenfinnan Viaduct, Glencoe & Fort William Guided Tour
This guided tour from Edinburgh visits Glenfinnan Viaduct, Glencoe and Fort William, rated 4.7 from 1,386 reviews.
3 Day Isle of Skye, 'Hogwarts Express' Train and Highlands Tour
This three-day tour from Edinburgh includes the Isle of Skye, a Hogwarts Express train ride and Highlands stops, with 1,271 reviews.
From Edinburgh: Magical Highlands Tour with Jacobite Train*
This magical Highlands tour from Edinburgh includes an optional Jacobite train journey, priced at $78 and rated 4.4 from 833 reviews.
Edinburgh: The Outlander, Palaces & Jacobites Tour
This Edinburgh tour covers Outlander sites, palaces and Jacobite history, rated 4.8 from 530 reviews.
Glenfinnan Viaduct, Glencoe and Loch Shiel Tour from Glasgow
This day trip from Glasgow visits Glenfinnan Viaduct, Glencoe and Loch Shiel, rated 4.9 from 370 reviews.
From Edinburgh: 2-Day Highlands bus tour & Jacobite Steam Train
This two-day bus tour from Edinburgh includes a Jacobite steam train ride and Highlands stops, rated 4.8 from 361 reviews.
3 Day Isle of Skye and Jacobite Steam Train Tour from Inverness
This three-day tour from Inverness covers the Isle of Skye and Jacobite steam train, priced at $752.87 and rated 5.0 from 210 reviews.
The Magical Highland Tour + optional Jacobite Steam Train Journey
This magical Highland tour offers an optional Jacobite steam train journey, rated 4.6 from 197 reviews.
Glenfinnan Viaduct appears as the Hogwarts Express crossing. Glencoe was used for Hagrid's hut and the Hogwarts bridge. Glen Nevis features Steall Falls from the Triwizard Tournament. These sites are public, though train rides and some attractions require tickets.
Doune Castle served as Castle Leoch, Culross as Cranesmuir, and Midhope Castle as Lallybroch. Blackness Castle appeared as Fort William prison. Several of these sites are ticketed, while village streets like Culross are free to explore.
Yes, the viaduct is public and can be viewed from the roadside. Parking is available. Visitors can also ride the seasonal Jacobite steam train across the viaduct, which requires a ticket.
Wardpark Studios in Cumbernauld is the primary studio for Outlander. FirstStage Studios in Leith, Edinburgh, is used for high-end TV and film including The Rig. VisitScotland offers guided film locations tours to Harry Potter and Outlander sites.
Day trips from Edinburgh, Glasgow and Inverness visit Glenfinnan Viaduct, Glencoe, Fort William and Outlander sites. Multi-day tours include the Isle of Skye and Jacobite steam train. Ratings range from 4.4 to 5.0.
Many outdoor locations like Glencoe and Glen Nevis are public and open year round, though weather affects access. Ticketed sites such as Doune Castle and Eilean Donan Castle have seasonal opening hours. Check individual visitor notes before planning.
Scotland's film and TV locations offer a mix of free landscapes and ticketed historic sites. Day trips and multi-day tours from Edinburgh, Glasgow and Inverness make it possible to see multiple screen sites in one journey. Use the ratings, prices and visitor notes above to choose the option that fits your schedule and interests.
Before You Go
The tours travellers book most for Scotland.
