According to the latest Scotland Visitor Survey, one in five visitors (19%) said film, TV or literature inspired their trip – a figure that rises to 37% for long-haul travellers.
From Braveheart and Harry Potter to Outlander and The Traitors, Visit Scotland says the country’s dramatic landscapes, history and culture have long stolen the show on the big screen and continue to inspire visitors, even in winter.
Popular pilgrimages include:
Braveheart
Celebrating its 30th anniversary, Braveheart remains a huge draw for visitors to Scotland. In Stirling, follow in the footsteps of William Wallace and Robert the Bruce at the National Wallace Monument, Stirling Old Bridge, Stirling Castle and the Battle of Bannockburn Visitor Centre.
Outlander
Fans of the hit series can walk in the footsteps of Claire and Jamie at many Historic Environment Scotland sites, including Aberdour Castle and Gardens, Blackness Castle, Glasgow Cathedral and Doune Castle – seat of Clan Mackenzie, where visitors can enjoy an audio guide narrated by star Sam Heughan.
The Traitors
Captivating audiences globally, The Traitors owes much of its success to the atmospheric Scottish setting of Ardross Castle – a brooding castle, with dramatic Highland scenery and plenty of tartan-inspired style. The castle is only available as an exclusive-use venue; however, fans can now live out their own ‘Traitors’-style adventure on a new four-night themed break from Highland Coast Hotels, featuring stays at the Royal Marine Hotel in Brora and the Tongue Hotel, with visits to Dunrobin Castle and The Castle & Gardens of Mey (available May-September 2026).
Shetland
Fans of BBC’s Shetland series can explore the landscapes that bring the drama to life through four self-guided tours across the islands. Highlights include a walking route around Lerwick, a drive through the rugged North and South Mainland, and even a stay at real-life Busta House Hotel, which inspired the show’s fictional Skellwick Hotel.
Local Hero
Head to Pennan, the charming Aberdeenshire village that doubled as the fictional Ferness in Local Hero. Stroll along the waterfront, snap a photo beside the famous red phone box and spend a night as a true “Local Hero’ with a B&B stay at Pennan Inn.
A Starring Role for Edinburgh & The Lothians
This region has set the scene for countless stories – from gritty dramas like Trainspotting (1996) and Dept Q (2025), to romantic tales such as One Day (2024) and The Princess Switch (2020), and epic period pieces including Outlaw King (2018) and Mary Queen of Scots (2018).
Walk the historic Royal Mile, the dramatic backdrop for Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein (on Netflix), on Mercat Tours’ Secrets of Edinburgh’s Royal Mile walking tour, then enjoy a pint at Rebus (2024)’s favourite The Oxford Bar.
Head east to Seacliff Beach near North Berwick for views of Bass Rock and Tantallon Castle, featured in Mary Queen of Scots (2018) and The Buccaneers (2025), and south to the 15th-century Rosslyn Chapel in Midlothian, which played a pivotal role in The Da Vinci Code (2006).
For little ones
Scotland’s screen magic enchants younger audiences too. Author Cressida Cowell’s How to Train Your Dragon series – brought to life in a new live-action film in 2025 – was inspired by family holidays to the Inner Hebrides, particularly the Isle of Mull, where Viking tales and dramatic geology spark the imagination.
Disney Pixar’s Brave also drew widely from Scotland’s landscapes and heritage – visit Dunnottar Castle, said to have inspired Castle DunBroch, or Glen Affric, thought to be the setting for Merida’s forest rides. And don’t miss Tobermory on Mull, the colourful harbour town that inspired Balamory, returning to screens soon.
For more film and TV inspiration ideas, including maps and itineraries, go to www.visitscotland.com/things-to-do/attractions/tv-film .
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