35+ Epic TV Shows & Movies About Scotland to Inspire Your Trip

Scottish movies have graced the big screen for over a century. As of today, Scotland has produced hundreds of films and TV shows set in the Roman Times to the 21st century, from Shetland to the Scottish borders. If you’re looking for the ultimate list of movies about Scotland, you’re in the right place.

Some are period dramas focusing on historical figures like Queen Mary, William Wallace, and Bonnie Prince Charlie. Many feature castles, sweeping mountainous landscapes, and rugged coastlines. Others are modern, independent films set in the remote Highlands, commenting on loneliness and community.

This best Scottish films list is curated from my experience watching hundreds of hours of TV shows and movies set in Scotland. I’ve spent months traveling around the country from the borders, to Edinburgh, Glasgow, the Isle of Skye, the North Coast 500, and beyond. It’s my favourite place in the whole world.

I have also earned a degree in Film Studies and spend all my spare time and money hunting filming locations. I can’t help you do taxes or anything else useful, but I know this.

So, grab your sword and charge headstrong into the best movies about Scotland of all time!

I’ve written two other guides focusing on movies set in Edinburgh and independent movies set in Glasgow. Check them out if you want to watch films set in Scotland’s two main cities.

Best TV Shows & Movies About Scotland

1. The 39 Steps (1935)

English | 86m
96% Rotten Tomatoes

Let’s start this list of the best films in Scotland with a bang! The 39 Steps is a gripping spy thriller directed by the master of suspense himself, Alfred Hitchcock, just before he moved to the USA at the end of the 1930s.

Richard Hannay (Robert Donat) is swept up in a plot to steal British military information. When a woman gets stabbed in front of him at his London apartment clutching a map of the Scottish Highlands, he must find out the truth before the assassins find him.

He boards a Flying Scotsman train and travels to Alt-na-Shellach in Killin. Hitchcock filmed the movie at Welwyn Studios but utilised the real-life locations of the Forth Rail Bridge and Glen Coe.

2. The Edge of the World (1937)

English | 81m
100% Rotten Tomatoes

When diving into movies about Scotland history, The Edge of the World might not be the first film that springs to mind. But it should be! It was legendary British filmmaker Michael Powell’s first big movie project and his last before teaming up with Emeric Pressburger.

The Edge of the World is loosely based on the Scottish archipelago of St Kilda’s evacuation, particularly the largest island of Hirta. The depopulation of remote Scottish islands as younger generations moved for greener pastures fascinated Powell.

While he couldn’t shoot the movie in St Kilda, he could film on location in Shetland. Specifically, the island of Foula. It must have been a real expedition for the crew in 1937! Was it worth it? That perfect Rotten Tomatoes score speaks for itself.

3. I Know Where I’m Going! (1945)

English, Gaelic | 88m
100% Rotten Tomatoes

Impressed by The Edge of the World‘s perfect rotten tomatoes score? Eight years later, Michael Powell was two for two with his Scottish Highland movies. I Know Where I’m Going! was his eighth collaboration with Emeric Pressburger.

This story follows Joan Webster, a head-strong English woman travelling from Manchester to the fictional Isle of Kiloran. She’s off to marry a wealthy older gentleman but gets stranded on the Isle of Mull due to bad weather conditions.

Powell and Pressburger filmed on the Isle of Mull and the character visits the real-life Moy Castle. It’s a fun, romantic Scottish movie with a great female lead.

4. Whisky Galore! (1949)

English | 82m
100% Rotten Tomatoes

Whisky Galore! is one of the best Ealing Comedies directed by one of the industry’s most celebrated directors, Alexander Mackendrick. Although there is a 2016 remake, nothing compares to the original.

It’s based on a true story, but set on the fictional island of Todday. It’s World War II and the island has run out of whisky (oh heck!). During a heavy storm, the S.S. Cabinet Minister is shipwrecked off the coast of Todday. When the locals learn it’s carrying 50,000 cases of whisky, they do whatever it takes to keep the whisky and Customs and Excise off their backs.

The production suffered from bad weather, an ever-expanding budget, and disagreements between the top bosses. Despite its problems, it’s now renowned as a classic comedy and one of the best Scottish movies of all time. Mackendrick filmed on the island of Barra in the Outer Hebrides.

5. Brigadoon (1954)

English | 108m
85% Rotten Tomatoes

You can watch low-budget British movies shot on location in the Scottish Highlands. Or, you can watch a Hollywood movie based in Scotland and filmed in Culver City. Yes, both director Vincente Minnelli and lead Gene Kelly found the Scottish weather too unpredictable! They opted to shoot Brigadoon on a cozy Los Angeles studio set instead.

Brigadoon follows two Americans on a hunting trip in Scotland. They stumble across Brigadoon, an enchanted village that appears out of the Scotch mist for one day every hundred years. Of course, Gene Kelly’s Tommy falls in love with a Brigadoon woman, which complicates matters.

In my opinion, it’s up there with the Hollywood classics like The Quiet Man (1952) and How Green Was My Valley (1941).

6. Ring of Bright Water (1969)

English | 107m
83% Rotten Tomatoes

Do you ever dream of swapping city life and escaping to the country? That’s what Scottish naturalist and author Gavin Maxwell did. Ring of Bright Water is a fictional story based on his autobiography. It tells of how a man passes a pet shop, becomes smitten by an otter, and up sticks to Scotland’s west coast when he realises he can’t keep an otter in his London apartment.

Director Jack Couffer filmed Ring of Bright Water in Ellenabeich on the Isle of Seil. It’s just a simple story of one man’s love for an otter, what’s so hard to understand about that?

7. The Wicker Man (1973)

English | 87m
88% Rotten Tomatoes

Few cult movies are more revered than Robin Hardy’s The Wicker Man. It’s not so much a horror film but an unsettling folktale.

Neil Howie is a police sergeant and practicing Christian. He travels to the fictional island of Summerisle to investigate the disappearance of a young girl. However, the more he gets to know the locals, the more he uncovers about their Celtic, pagan, and unorthodox rituals and beliefs.

Hardy filmed on the Isle of Skye, particularly places like the Quiraing, but mostly along the southwest coast. I visited The Wicker Man locations on the Isle of Skye in March 2020 (yes, really), Plockton in July 2021, and the southwest coast in October 2022 and September 2023.

I’ve visited all The Wicker Man filming locations and have written an extensive travel guide!

Read more: The Wicker Man Filming Locations Guide

8. Local Hero (1983)

English | 111m
100% Rotten Tomatoes

Bill Forsyth is responsible for some of the best films about Scotland. He wrote and directed the Glasgow-based movies Gregory’s Girl (1981) and Comfort and Joy (1984). Forsyth also made Local Hero, another incredible Scottish movie.

It’s about a man who works for an oil company in Texas. His boss sends him to the fictional Scottish town of Ferness to purchase the land so they can mine it for oil. It’s a comedy with twists and turns you wouldn’t expect, and a heck of a lot of filming locations!

I’ve written an entire guide to the Local Hero filming locations in Aberdeenshire and beyond.

Read more: Local Hero Filming Locations in Scotland Guide

9. Restless Natives (1985)

English | 90m
83% Rotten Tomatoes

One of Michael Hoffman’s first films, Restless Natives is a true independent, cult Scottish movie. Two youngsters from Wester Hailes in Edinburgh become the modern version of Rob Roy (an 18th-century outlaw) to shake up their humdrum lives.

Hoffman filmed Restless Natives all over the Highlands including Glen Coe. Although it didn’t do well at the global box office, it was much more than a light comedy. It was a social commentary on young people’s high unemployment and frustration during Thatcher’s government.

10. Highlander (1986)

English | 116m
69% Rotten Tomatoes

Don’t get the Highlander movies confused with the Outlander TV series. Although, there is time-hopping in both! Highlander is one of the most famous Scottish movies. It follows an (almost) immortal warrior named Connor MacLeod AKA Highlander.

After training to be a fighter in 1536 Scotland, Connor is still alive and kicking in 1985. He’s living it up in New York City as an antique salesman but other immortal warriors want his head. Literally. If the other immortal warriors kill each other off, the one left standing will gain the ability to enslave the human race. “There can only be one,” as the tagline says.

Highlander spawned a huge following and sizeable franchise. There are at least five further movies, video games, comics, novels, and TV series. It was shot in some scenic Scotland locations including Eilean Donan Castle, Glen Coe, and Loch Shiel.

Yes, I’ve written another guide listing all the Highlander locations in Scotland and New York City.

Read more: Highlander Filming Locations in Scotland and New York City Guide

11. Braveheart (1995)

English | 178m
77% Rotten Tomatoes

Let’s face it, you knew Braveheart was coming! It’s a famous movie about Scotland freedom (FREEEEEEDOM!) and independence. Braveheart was a passion project directed by and starring Mel Gibson as Scottish knight William Wallace. It’s just a shame he didn’t stick even a little bit closer to the true story, and that he wasn’t such a d*ck.

The year is 1280 and King Edward I has successfully invaded and conquered Scotland after the death of Scottish King Alexander III. Years later, Wallace and his pal Robert the Bruce led the Scots to the First War of Scottish Independence.

I won’t deny Braveheart‘s global reach and accolades, but I’m not the biggest fan. It’s too long, too schmaltzy, and what’s with that accent? And although some of the Braveheart filming locations are in Scotland (including a beautiful spot in Glen Nevis) most are in random fields in Ireland. Unforgivable!

Read more: Braveheart Filming Locations in Scotland and Ireland Guide

12. Rob Roy (1995)

English | 139m
73% Rotten Tomatoes

Many of the best movies about Scottish history were released in 1995, apparently! Liam Neeson stars as Rob Roy, a real person who lived at the turn of the 17th century. He was the chief of Clan MacGregor and, in attempting to feed his clansman, he falls into debt and misfortune. The Marquess of Montrose declares him an outlaw and he must clear his name and regain honour.

Director Michael Caton-Jones filmed Rob Roy all over the Scottish Highlands. Filming locations include Glen Coe, Glen Nevis, and Drummond Castle.

13. Loch Ness (1996)

English | 101m 
29% Rotten Tomatoes

Loch Ness isn’t one of the best Scotland movies, but it’s a great choice to watch with kids. The movie follows an American zoologist who becomes a laughing stock when he attempts to prove the existence of Sasquatch.

When the opportunity to prove the Loch Ness Monster’s existence for money, he reluctantly agrees. The small fishing village of Lower Biabaig and the real-life Loch Ness were filming locations.

14. Monarch of the Glen (2000 – 2005)

English | 64 Episodes | 50 – 60m
N/A Rotten Tomatoes

I remember watching episodes of the BBC comedy drama Monarch of the Glen with my parents. It brings back such warm memories! Monarch of the Glen focuses on Archie MacDonald, a restauranteur trying to restore his childhood estate in the Scottish Highlands.

It ran for seven seasons. The main filming location was Ardverikie House on the edge of the Cairngorms National Park, which stood in for Glenbogle House.

15. Harry Potter Film Series (2001-2011)

English | 8 Films | 130 – 161m
77-90% Rotten Tomatoes

I wasn’t sure whether to include the Harry Potter film series. However, since Hogwarts and Hogsmeade are set in Scotland and many of the filming locations are in Scotland, I thought it counted.

For younger readers or those who have opted out of pop culture for the last 25 years, the Harry Potter film franchise is adapted from a popular book series following an orphaned boy. He finds out he is a wizard on his 11th birthday, attends a wizarding school, and reluctantly faces his dark past.

All eight Harry Potter films feature some filming in Scotland. The Glenfinnan Viaduct is one of the more iconic locations in the Scottish Highlands. Again, more movies from Scotland to watch with your kids!

I’ve visited all of the Harry Potter filming locations in Scotland (yes, every single one) and have written a detailed guide.

Read more: Harry Potter Filming Locations in Scotland Guide
How To Photograph and Ride the Harry Potter Steam Train in Scotland
Self-Guided Tour of Harry Potter Locations in Edinburgh

16. The Water Horse: Legend of the Deep (2007)

English | 112m
74% Rotten Tomatoes

I’m throwing all the family-friendly Scottish movies at you! The Water Horse: Legend of the Deep follows a young boy who discovers a mysterious egg that hatches into a water horse. This creature is based on the Celtic kelpie myth. The film also stars Emily Watson, Ben Chaplin, and David Morrissey.

Weta Digital was responsible for The Water Horse‘s striking visuals. So, despite being set in Scotland, director Jay Russell shot most of the movie in New Zealand where the special FX company is based. However, the 100-year-old Ardkinglas Estate on the shores of Loch Fyne stood in as the MacMorrow family’s house.

17. Stone of Destiny (2008)

English | 96m
53% Rotten Tomatoes

It’s not the greatest Scotland film, but I have a soft spot for Stone of Destiny. I’ve watched it at least twice! Plus, it has a great cast featuring Charlie Cox, Billy Boyd, Kate Mara, and Robert Carlyle.

Stone of Destiny is based on a true story set in the 1950s. A Scottish Nationalist group grew tired of English rule and planned a symbolic mission to retrieve the Stone of Scone. It is believed to be the Stone of Jacob (from the Book of Genesis) and was used to crown Scottish Kings until 1296.

It resided in Westminster Abbey, and the group wanted to take it back to Scotland. Director Charles Martin Smith filmed Stone of Destiny in Wales, England, Canada, and Scotland. Some Scottish filming locations are Glenfinnan Viaduct, Glasgow University, and Paisley Abbey.

Today, you can see the Stone of Scone in Edinburgh Castle. (That’s not a spoiler – promise!).

18. Made of Honor (2008)

English | 101m
16% Rotten Tomatoes

Okay, Made of Honor is far from one of the best films set in Scotland. Don’t get me wrong, I love romcoms but this one is categorically not good. It stars Patrick Dempsey as Tom, a serial womaniser living in NYC. When his best friend-who-is-a-girl finds a wealthy Scottish fiancé, she asks him to be her Maid of Honour.

One of the saving graces of Made of Honor is the filming locations! Eilean Donan Castle, Portree in the Isle of Skye, Glen Coe, and Glenfinnan Monument all feature. Yes, I’ve also written a filming locations guide for this movie.

Read more: Made of Honor Filming Locations in Scotland Guide

19. Centurion (2010)

English, Gaelic | 97m
61% Rotten tomatoes

Sure, Braveheart might cover events in the 13th century, but Centurion goes back even further. It’s about a battle in approximately 150 CE between the Romans and the Celtic Picts in the Scottish Highlands. The likes of Michael Fassbender, Dominic West, and Imogen Poots star.

The Romans had a pretty hard time conquering the locals in the north so I imagine there were a lot of brutal battles! Filming locations for Centurion are all over England and Scotland, including Badenoch in Strathspey and the Glenfeshie Estate in the Cairngorms National Park.

20. The Eagle (2011)

English | 114m
39% Rotten Tomatoes

You wait years for Scottish movies about the Roman invasion and two come at once! The Eagle stars Channing Tatum as Marcus Aquila. He embarks on a dangerous journey to Scotland in 140 CE with his slave (Jamie Bell) to retrieve his father’s revered eagle emblem and restore his honour.

Director Kevin Macdonald might have chosen Hungary as a double for England, but he shot the Scottish scenes in Scotland. Loch Lomond and Wester Ross are among the locations. It’s not the best movie (definitely not better than Centurion) but if you’re interested in the Roman period then you will!

21. Brave (2012)

English | 93m
78% Rotten Tomatoes

Brave has the unfortunate reputation of being one of the lesser Pixar films, despite still being very good! The voice actors (Kelly Macdonald, Billy Connelly, et al), epic visuals, and beautiful score make up for the slightly disappointing plot. Plus, Brave stars a cool ginger girl who doesn’t want to be tied down, so I find this film very relatable.

Set in the vague Medieval Scotland, Princess Merida of Clan Dunbroch is due to wed. Unhappy with the arrangement, Merida runs off into the woodland and discovers the home of a wise old witch. She asks for a spell to change her fate, though the result isn’t exactly what she had in mind.

Since Brave is an animated film, no part of this Scotland film was actually filmed in Scotland! I know. It’s a shocker. However, Glen Affric, Dunnottar Castle, and the Calanais Standing Stones inspired the production crew. And Brave will inspire wanderlust and make the whole family want to visit Scotland.

22. Shell (2012)

English | 90m
90% Rotten Tomatoes

Most independent movies about Scotland are set in rundown neighbourhoods in big cities like Glasgow and Edinburgh. Shell is one of the few focusing on rural life in present-day Scotland. Shell is the name of a young girl living at a remote petrol station in the Scottish Highlands with her father.

It’s a quiet, character-based film rather than plot-based, and the location plays a big role in the characters’ circumstances. The garage was purpose-built for the film overlooking Beinn Ghobhlach near Badcaul and Little Loch Broom.

23. Skyfall (2012)

English | 143m
92% Rotten Tomatoes

Of course, Skyfall isn’t only set in Scotland! And it’s not the only James Bond movie ever filmed in Scotland. However, it is known for its Scottish scenes (and they are incredible!) so it deserves a mention on this list of movies about Scotland.

Skyfall stars Daniel Craig as Bond, James Bond. In the final act, he and M (Judi Dench) return to ‘Skyfall’, his childhood home to set traps for the bad guy. Director Sam Mendes initially chose Duntrune Castle in Argyll as the filming location. Instead, he only shot landscape scenes in Glen Etive and Glen Coe and built a house in Surrey.

I’m glad he still filmed some scenes in Scotland. Glen Coe is so cinematic, hence why it appears in every other Scottish film!

24. Outlander (2014 – 2025)

English, Scots, Gaelic, French | 101 Episodes | 53 – 90m
91% Rotten Tomatoes

C’mon, you knew Outlander would be on this list! It’s absolutely one of the best TV shows set in Scotland of all time. It’s a romantic, historical, fantastical TV show so there’s a little something for everyone. Sure, the latter seasons have gone downhill, but the quality of the first few prop it up.

Outlander follows WWII nurse Claire Beauchamp, on a delayed honeymoon to Inverness with her husband Frank in 1946. When she touches the standing stones of Craigh na Dun, she’s transported back to 1743. The Jacobite Rising, Clan life, and burly redhead Jamie Fraser greet her when she arrives.

You’ll find Outlander filming locations all over Scotland and the Czech Republic. Some top spots are Midhope Castle standing in as Lallybroch and Doune Castle standing in as Castle Leoch. I’ve visited so many of these locations so, of course, I’ve written several guides. There are so many organised tours to the filming locations too!

Even though Outlander is finished after eight seasons, there is a prequel series. Outlander: Blood of My Blood will be released in 2025.

Read more: Edinburgh Outlander Locations: Self-Guided Walking Tour
Glasgow Outlander Locations: Self-Guided Walking Tour
Doune Castle: Outlander, Monty Python and Game of Thrones Locations Guide
Outlander Culloden Battlefield Location: A Complete Guide
Culross Outlander Location: A Complete Cranesmuir Guide
Craigmillar Castle Outlander Location: A Complete Ardsmuir Prison Guide
Falkland Outlander Location: A Complete 1940s Inverness Guide
Midhope Castle Outlander Location: A Complete Lallybroch Guide
Linlithgow Palace Outlander Location: A Complete Wentworth Prison Guide

25. What We Did On Our Holiday (2014)

English | 95m
75% Rotten Tomatoes

Talk about a wholesome family movie. What We Did On Our Holiday stars David Tennant and Rosamund Pike as a married couple with three kids. They join his father (Billy Connolly) on a holiday in the Scottish Highlands as they attempt to hide the cracks in their marriage. Their too-honest kids hinder this plan.

Their family home was located in Drymen near Loch Lomond. Gairloch was the location for the beach scenes. If you’re looking for family-friendly movies on Scotland, What We Did On Our Holiday is perfection.

26. Macbeth (2015)

English | 113m
80% Rotten Tomatoes

You can’t mention plays about Scotland without mentioning THE SCOTTISH PLAY. So, I couldn’t create a list of movies about Scotland without a version of Macbeth appearing somewhere. Justin Kurzel’s version is highly rated and one of the most recent, so it fits the bit.

For those unfamiliar with Shakespeare, three wishes give Macbeth a prophecy that he will become king. Desperate to make the prophecy come true (with a nudge from his off-kilter wife), he kills King Duncan and descends into a downward spiral into madness.

I liked Macbeth a lot, though I found the whole production of it a bit unnecessary. I was also confused why Kurzel cast Marion Cotillard as Lady Macbeth when she can’t speak with a Scottish accent. I’m sure it must be very difficult for someone whose first language isn’t English to speak Shakespearean English in a Scottish accent, but apparently, that’s the hill I’m willing to die on!

This 2015 version mainly utilised filming locations in England, which is disappointing. However, Kurzel did shoot some scenes in the very cinematic landscape of the Quiraing on the Isle of Skye.

27. The Crown (2016 – 2023)

English | 60 Episodes | 39 – 72m
81% Rotten Tomatoes

Yes, The Crown is mostly set and shot in England. But there are lots of important scenes and filming locations in Scotland, so I thought it was worth including.

The Crown follows Queen Elizabeth I from just before her coronation in 1947 to 2005. Claire Foy portrays her in the first two seasons, Olivia Colman in the second two, and Imelda Staunton in the last two. It’s a no-expense-spared sweeping historical Netflix show that I’ve watched several times.

Some of the Scotland filming locations include Ardverikie Castle as Balmoral Castle (yes, the same castle as in Monarch of the Glen). St Andrews also features during Prince William’s university days, plus so many others. Yup, I have a filming locations guide!

Read more: The Crown Filming Locations Guide

28. Edie (2017)

English | 102m
63% Rotten Tomatoes

Edie isn’t just one of the most wanderlust-inspiring movies about Scotland, it’s also one of the best hiking movies. I’ll have to remember to include Edie if I ever write this list! Edie (Sheila Hancock) is a sour woman in her 80s. Her daughter doesn’t believe Edie can cope after her husband’s death and wants to move her into a retirement home.

Yearning to take control of her life, Edie embarks on a long overdue hiking trip in the Scottish Highlands that her controlling husband wouldn’t allow her to take. Edie was shot on Suilven, a mountain just west of Sutherland. The actress Sheila Hancock completed the trek and claimed to be the oldest person to have done so!

29. Outlaw King (2018)

English | 121m
63% Rotten Tomatoes

Although nowhere near as popular or revered, I much prefer Outlaw King to Braveheart. They’re set in a similar period and are both movies about Scotland independence, but Outlaw King is lightyears better!

The outlawed king in question is Robert the Bruce (Chris Pine). He is a nobleman who rebels against King Edward I of England. His rebellion is slow, at first, but reaches a climax at the Battle of Loudoun Hill in 1307.

I don’t know how director David Mackenzie convinced Netflix to spend $120 million on Outlaw King, but he did! It’s the largest feature film to be produced in Scotland to date. It paid off because Outlaw King has breathtaking locations in England and Scotland. Notable places include Linlithgow Palace, Doune Castle, Dunfermline Abbey, and Glasgow Cathedral.

Yes, of course, I have a filming locations guide.

Read more: Outlaw King Filming Locations in Scotland Guide

30. Mary, Queen of Scots (2018)

English | 125m
63% Rotten Tomatoes

You have to know a little about Mary, Queen of Scots if you ever visit Scotland. There are more than a few Scottish history movies about Queen Mary knockin’ about, but my favourite is Josie Rourke’s Mary, Queen of Scots.

In 1591, Mary (Saoirse Ronan) returns home after the death of her husband in France. She poses a strong threat to her cousin, Queen Elizabeth I. The film follows their rivalry and emphasises their differences. Mary is charming, younger, and fertile while Elizabeth is portrayed as a cold, childless shrew with her looks affected by smallpox scars.

While some critics had tonal issues with Mary, Queen of Scots, I really enjoyed the film. It features shots of fantastic Scottish landscapes with filming locations like Blackness Castle, Aviemore in the Cairngorms National Park, and Glen Coe. Everyone loves Glen Coe, eh?

31. Then Came You (2020)

English | 97m
47% Rotten Tomatoes

Lighthearted romantic movies that provide comfort (Hallmark-esque movies) have become popular in the 2020s. Who can blame the people who enjoy them?! These movies are a welcome escape when the world seems so bleak.

And movies about Scotland haven’t escaped this genre. Then Came You follows Annabelle, a widow on a trip around the world to explore all the places she and her husband liked to visit. She only gets as far as Scotland, as the people she meets there change her life forever.

It’s mostly set in a grand stately home, which is Ardkinglas House in real life. There are lots of other scenic locales in the Argyll and Bute area including Loch Goil and Loch Fyne.

32. Limbo (2020)

English | 103m
93% Rotten Tomatoes

There are so few British films about asylum seekers. I think Limbo is fantastic and probably isn’t more well-known because of issues with the pandemic when it was released. It focuses on four refugees, specifically Syrian musician Omar, who await news of their status on a remote Scottish island.

Director Ben Sharrock filmed this comedy-drama on Uist, Grimsay Island, and Benbecula in the Outer Hebrides. He was inspired by personal stories from his friends in Damascus before the war’s outbreak. It’s a fun, poignant movie with beautiful locations rarely seen before on film.

33. A Castle for Christmas (2021)

English | 98m
75% Rotten Tomatoes

Have you watched Then Came You and want to watch more romcom, Hallmark-esque Scottish films? How about A Castle for Christmas, one of the best movies about Scotland on Netflix? It’s pretty cringey/cheesy in parts, but I honestly really enjoyed watching it!

Brooke Shields plays a best-selling author who travels to Scotland to escape the backlash of her latest novel. She chooses her father’s ancestral town of Dunbar. There, she befriends a knitting circle and clashes with the owner of Dun Dunbar, an estate where her father worked as a groundskeeper.

Dalmeny House stood in as Dun Dunbar and the quaint town of Culross stood in as the local village. Tantallon Castle and South Queensferry also feature.

34. The Road Dance (2021)

English | 116 m
78% Rotten Tomatoes

Based on a novel of the same name written by John Mackay, The Road Dance is a drama about a girl living on the Isle of Lewis in the Outer Hebrides during WWI. Her life changes forever when she is attacked after a cèilidh by an unknown assailant.

It was filmed in October 2020 in Gearrannan Blackhouse Village. It’s a restored village on the Isle of Lewis. Honestly, I adore all of these movies about Scotland filmed in these extremely remote locations! There’s nowhere else like them in the UK.

35. The Outrun (2024)

English | 118m
79% Rotten Tomatoes

Saoirse Ronan appears for the second time on this list as Rona in The Outrun. After living a wild life in London, she returns to Orkney where she grew up in an attempt to heal from her troubled past.

It’s based on a memoir of the same name by Amy Liptrot and Nora Fingscheidt directed the movie, so The Outrun offers a refreshing dose of girl power. It was mostly shot on the island of Papay in Orkney.

Other Movies About Scotland: Mary, Queen of Scots (1971), The Bruce (1996), A Shot at Glory (2000), Dog Soldiers (2002), Doomsday (2008), Scottish Mussel (2015), Whisky Galore! (2016), My Son (2021)

Discover More TV Shows & Movies About Scotland

Want to scroll through other lists of movies about Scotland? Check out my two other guides…

Edinburgh Movies | Glasgow Movies

And those are the best TV shows and movies about Scotland! Are you planning a trip to Scotland? Or have you watched any travel-inspiring Scottish films? Let me know in the comments!