Discover film and TV landmarks in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire
8 February 2025
With the rise of 'set-jetting' where fans travel to iconic film and TV landmarks, the North-east of Scotland has become a star in its own right. From breathtaking castles and dramatic coastlines, our region has captured the imagination of creative storytellers and directors. Ready for your close-up? Pack your camera, immerse yourself in cinematic landscapes, and discover these awe-inspiring locations that not even the silver screen magic can outshine.
Starring coasts
Before the days of travelling time in the Tardis, Peter Capaldi had dealings with another famous telephone box which stays firmly on the ground in Pennan. The red telephone box featured in Local Hero back in 1983 and continues to lure tourists in to visit.
Head 20 miles north along the Banffshire coast to find the picturesque 17th century harbour of Portsoy the location for malt smuggling film Whisky Galore! starring James Cosmo and Eddie Izzard.
Portsoy also welcomed the cast and crew of Peaky Blinders in 2021, to shoot for the show's upcoming sixth season. Big names such as actor Cillian Murphy were spotted on set, as many buildings were given a suitable new look to match the show's early 1900s setting.
In 2021, Macduff a quaint coastal village in the Banff and Buchan area of Aberdeenshire was featured in one of Netflix's most popular shows The Crown. Award winning actress Imelda Staunton was spotted filming for its fifth and penultimate season, in which she depicted the reign of Queen Elizabeth II.
Image: Macduff Harbour
Fairytale castles
Make an escape to the storybook surroundings of Craigevar Castle, where it’s been said to have been Walt Disney's inspiration for the Disney Castle with its mesmerising pink walls and tranquil setting.
Walk in the footsteps of the Queen (well Helen Mirren) at Cluny Castle and Castle Fraser both used as filming locations for Oscar winning The Queen. Rolling with the Royal theme, over at Cruden Bay, scenes for Netflix hit, The Crown, were shot at Slains Castle where Bram Stoker also took inspiration for Dracula’s sinister lair.
One of our most iconic attractions in the North-east, Dunnottar Castle, has captured the attention of location scouts set high above roaring waves and inspiring the design of Merida’s castle in Pixar animation Brave. Dunnottar has been no stranger to famous faces either, doubling as 16th century Denmark for Mel Gibson in Hamlet and providing an eerie setting for Victor Frankenstein starring James McAvoy and Daniel Radcliffe.
Image: Dunnottar Castle
Captivating countryside
Aberdeenshire’s breathtaking countryside was prominent in the movie adaptation of Lewis Grassic Gibbon’s Sunset Song, with scenes filmed in the village of Fettercairn, Invercauld Estate, Glenmuick Estate, Birsemore Lochmirror and Glen Tanar estate.
Moving further west from Glen Tanar to Mar Lodge where the rich landscape of the Cairngorms National Park acted as the backdrop for Tom Hardy’s plane take-over in the opening scene of The Dark Knight Rises.
The Poldullie Bridge in Strathdon is a newer addition to our local movie location, acting as a recurring feature in Mary Queen of Scots starring Saoirse Ronan, Margot Robbie and David Tennant.
Aberdeen turned Hollywood
Scotland's third largest city has also been host to Hollywood blockbusters! In February 2021, the streets of Aberdeen were transformed into Cold War era Russia for the new 'Tetris' film starring Taron Egerton.
The set could be found on Tillydrone Avenue outside the University of Aberdeen's Zoology Building, which was easy to spot due to the line of vintage cars and old Soviet phoneboxes on the street.
New to 2025
Shining a spotlight on a number of Aberdeenshire locations, there are a range of different filming spots you may recognise in some of 2025's upcoming additions. Whether you're into horror or light-hearted reality TV, the region is the perfect place for all genres.
In 2024, award-winning director Guillermo del Toro began filming for his 2025 film Frankenstein in Aberdeenshire's very own Dunecht House. The 19th-century granite mansion couldn't be a better location for the gothic story that features many big names in Hollywood!
Hit series Love is Blind, is also set to feature a number of Aberdeenshire locations in it's newest series. Across Aboyne, the Netflix series features shots in Aboyne Castle, Coo Cathedral and Glen Tanar.
Wherever you are in the North-east, you’ll never be too far away from a blockbuster location to visit. Discover more about the locations in our film-spotting itinerary.
Don't forget to tag us in your adventures @VisitABDN or by using our hashtags #VisitABDN or #BeautifulABDN for a chance to be featured on our social channels!