Fans can visit filming locations for Downton Abbey, Harry Potter, James Bond… and EastEnders!
Scotland’s tourist board has launched a 36-page guide detailing more than 60 film and TV locations around the country for visitors to explore.
It’s part of the cultural phenomenon known as “set-jetting” or “location vacations”, where tourists travel to destinations they’ve seen in movies or TV shows. Sites for Game of Thrones, or the New Zealand locations from the Lord of the Rings movies, are among the most popular.
VisitScotland has released its brochure – called TV Set in Scotland – to mark the 130th birthday of John Logie Baird. The inventor and engineer, who was born in Helensburgh in 1888, is widely agreed to be responsible for the introduction of television to the world in 1926.
The guide, which aims to appeal to TV buffs, features popular television destinations filmed in the Scottish region, including Downton Abbey (Argyll), The Crow Road (Tarbert, Loch Fyne) and EastEnders (Tarbert, Loch Fyne).
A selection of film locations are also included, highlighting movies such as Outlander, the Harry Potter series and the James Bond thriller Skyfall.
The guide is available free at VisitScotland iCentres, attractions and for download at visitscotland.com.
Scotland’s wild, open landscapes, ancient castles and sprawling beaches make it an ideal destination for filmmakers and creatives. It prompted readers of USA Today to vote the country as the world’s Best Cinematic Destination in 2015.
“The list of television shows and locations featured in TV Set in Scotland is not exhaustive.
“But this fun and informative guide, which contains firm fan favourites alongside little-known gems, serves as a starting point for visitors wishing to explore the many on-screen locations and nearby attractions,” says Jenni Steele of VisitScotland.
Scotland’s minister for culture and tourism, Fiona Hyslop, adds: “Scotland’s scenery and built heritage, together with our diverse and rich culture, have attracted countless filmmakers over the years.”
Figures show that spending on film and TV in Scotland in 2017 reached a record $175 million – about $50 million more than the previous year. Over the past decade, spend on filming has increased more than 300 per cent.
