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Five people including a film crew and an actor film a scene will walking up a grassy hill under an overcast sky.

From cinema blockbusters like Outlaw King to sensational series like One Day, discover some of the films and TV shows that have featured Historic Scotland sites.

Frankenstein (2025)

Glasgow Cathedral provided the dramatic setting for a confessional scene between Oscar Isaac and Mia Goth in Guillermo del Toro’s reimagining of Frankenstein.

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Outlander (2014-Present)

To celebrate the first episode of Outlander’s prequel “Blood Of My Blood” aired in August 2025. Take a look back at Historic Scotland sites involved in Outlander filming through the years. 

Doune Castle takes a starring role as Castle Leoch, the home of the MacKenzie Clan, whilst Linlithgow Palace, Blackness Castle, Aberdour Castle, and Craigmillar Castle have also featured in the series. Based on the best-selling book series, Outlander follows Claire Randall, a married former nurse who is mysteriously transported back in time to 18th-century Scotland. There, she becomes embroiled in the Jacobite risings and falls in love with a dashing Highlander warrior. As well as providing filming backgrounds for the TV series, Urquhart Castle features in the Outlander novels, with Claire and Frank Randall enjoying a day trip to the site, and Clava Cairns is thought to have been the inspiration for Craig na Dun.  

Enjoyed "Blood Of My Blood"? Look out for more Historic Scotland site cameos! 

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Mary and George (2024)

Based on the extraordinary true story, Julianne Moore stars as Mary Villiers, who moulded her son, George, to seduce King James I and become his all-powerful lover. Scenes for the Sky Atlantic limited series were filmed at Doune Castle and Stirling Castle, the latter doubling for Edinburgh Castle.

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One Day (2024)

Netflix’s hit series follows the evolving relationship between Emma and Dexter, capturing their connection on the same day each year over 20 years. Arthur’s Seat in Holyrood Park plays a pivotal role in their story, with scenes bookending the series. 

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The Outrun (2024)

Saoirse Ronan stars in the powerful adaptation of Amy Liptrot’s memoir which follows Rona’s return to her childhood home, as she confronts her past and battles addiction. The rugged coastline of Orkney, with sites at Ring of Brodgar and Skara Brae, provide a vivid backdrop. 

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Good Omens Season 2 (2023)

Darkly comedic fantasy series based on the novel by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett. It follows the unlikely partnership between an angel, Aziraphale, and a demon, Crowley, who have grown fond of life on Earth. 

Filming location:

Stirling Castle

Two men in Victorian-style clothing stand in a foggy graveyard at night. One wears a pale coat and top hat and holds a glowing lantern; the other, dressed in dark clothing with a tall black hat and tinted glasses, stands beside him.
David Tennant and Michael Sheen in "Good Omens" © Amazon

The Crown (2023)

Netflix's historical drama series that delves into the reign of Queen Elizabeth II. It explores the challenges and triumphs of the British monarchy, as well as the personal and political struggles faced by the Queen throughout her life. 

Season 6 features the royals at St Andrews Castle

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Karen Pirie (2022)

Val McDermid's Karen Pirie, a young detective-sergeant, is in charge of reopening the cold case for the murder of a barmaid.

Filming location:  

St Andrews Cathedral

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The Lost King (2022)

Steve Coogan and Sally Hawkins star in the dramatization of the story of Philippa Langley, the woman who initiated the search to find King Richard III's remains under a car park in Leicester. 

Filming location:  

Edinburgh Castle

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Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga (2020)

Will Ferrell and Rachel McAdams star in this comedy film, which tells the story of two aspiring Icelandic musicians who get the chance to represent their country at the Eurovision Song Contest. Holyrood Park doubled for Iceland.

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Princess Switch 2 (2020)

Vanessa Hudgens reprises her role as both Duchess Margaret and Princess Stacy in Netflix's rom com, which sees the royal lookalikes switch lives once again, but this time, they're joined by Margaret's mischievous cousin, Fiona. Together, they navigate royal responsibilities and romance while thwarting Fiona's plot to steal the throne. 

Filming location:  

Glasgow Cathedral

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Call the Midwife (2019)

The heart-warming BBC series set in the 1950s which follows a group of nurses and midwives in London's East End, exploring the challenges of childbirth, post-war healthcare, and the power of community. 

The 2019 Christmas special saw the series travel to St Clement's Church in Rodel, Harris, and Calanais Standing Stones in Lewis. 

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Mary Queen of Scots (2018)

Follows the tumultuous rivalry between Mary Stuart and her cousin, Queen Elizabeth I, as they vie for power. 

Follow in the footsteps of the most famous and intriguing of Scottish monarchs, and discover Blackness Castle which features in the 2019 film. 

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Outlaw King (2018)

David Mackenzie's historical drama tells the tale of Robert the Bruce (Chris Pine), who leads a daring rebellion against English rule in 14th-century Scotland, filled with battles and political intrigue. 

A host of Historic Scotland sites were used as filming locations including castles at Blackness, Craigmillar and Doune, Dunfermline Abbey, Glasgow Cathedral and Linlithgow Palace

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T2 Trainspotting (2017)

A sequel to Danny Boyle's iconic Trainspotting, T2 revisits the lives of Mark Renton and his friends in Edinburgh as they face the challenges of middle age, addiction, and unresolved conflicts. 

Arthur’s Seat and Holyrood Park feature as Renton and Spud go for a run and enjoy a view of the city. 

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Shetland (2013 - present)

Crime drama series set in the Shetland Islands which follows Detective Inspector Jimmy Perez as he investigates complex cases against the backdrop of the stunning Scottish landscapes. 

The artillery fort, Fort Charlotte in Lerwick features. Season seven was filmed at Newark Castle.

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One Day (2011)

Romantic drama that follows the lives of Emma and Dexter, who meet on July 15 1988, and reunite on the same day each year for the next two decades, witnessing the ups and downs of their evolving relationship. 

Set in Edinburgh, Arthur's Seat in Holyrood Park is one of the many capital locations featured in the film. 

A couple stand together on a grassy hill, arms around each other, looking out over Edinburgh with the castle visible in the distance under a cloudy sky.
Anne Hathaway and Jim Sturgess in "One Day" © Focus Features LLC

Monty Python & The Holy Grail (1975)

This classic comedy follows King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table as they embark on a quest to find the Holy Grail, encountering absurd and hilarious challenges along the way. 

Scenes were filmed at Doune Castle, which served as the iconic Castle Anthrax and other locations in the film. 

A large stone castle, with two levels. There are several windows on the castle. There is a path leading out of the front of the castle. It sits on a grassy landscape, and there are trees in the background.
Film crew and equipment outside of palace ruins. There is a large tree with sunlight filtering through it.

Historic Scotland on screen map

Our sites have been used as the setting & inspiration for many films and TV shows. Follow the footsteps of your favourite characters & discover more.
Historic Scotland on screen map

Find a filming location

Visit stars of the screen

Enjoy a day out at a Historic Scotland site and walk in the footsteps of your favourite actors and characters.

Places to visit
The exterior of a ruined castle on a bright day. A handful of visitors are milling around and taking photos in front of the castle's imposing entrance. A close-up view of Balvaird Castle, a tall medieval stone tower house with red sandstone details, surrounded by low ruined walls and a large bare tree in the foreground Interior view of Glasgow Cathedral’s nave, showing rows of wooden pews, high stone arches and softly lit gothic columns. View of Hunter’s Bog in Holyrood Park, Edinburgh, showing a grassy valley with golden-brown slopes and green patches leading towards the city. Edinburgh’s skyline and the Firth of Forth are visible in the distance under a partly cloudy blue sky. Standing stones at Calanais silhouetted against a rising moon and a colourful early‑evening sky. An aerial view of an expansive medieval cathedral ruin and graveyard, enclosed by stone walls, with a town and green fields behind and a rocky coastline in the foreground. Stone castle on coast with bridges and pink moon in evening sky. A stone entrance to a castle. There are two round towers either side of the entrance. There is a flag on top of the entrance.