25 Famous Movies About Scotland That You Need to Watch 2023

Watching films about Scotland makes me want to visit the country even more. Maybe it’s because I’ve never felt such a strong attachment to a place as I do to Scotland. My Scottish ancestors make up half of my family, and I grew up hearing a Scottish accent from my grandparents. 25 Famous Movies About Scotland That You Need to Watch 2023

Movies About Scotland: The Top 25

Justin and I are currently planning our wedding in Scotland! In October of this year, we will marry in Edinburgh. I’m looking forward to our destination wedding with a small group of our friends and family.

When I’m not in Scotland, I get my Scottish fix by watching movies set there. As it turns out, there are so many films about Scotland that I could easily add a second or third section to this list. For the time being, I’ve set the limit at 25. How many have you seen so far? Without further ado, here are the 25 best Scottish movies you must see.

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Brave (2012)

Yes, Brave is an animated Pixar film, but it takes place in a fictional medieval Scotland. Princess Merida is not your typical princess, preferring archery and horseback riding over traditional royal duties. She defies her mother, Queen Elinor, causing chaos in the kingdom, and strives to restore order. Pixar’s animators adored Scotland’s natural attractions, and their trips to Scotland undoubtedly contributed to the film’s dramatic and stunning landscapes.

The Braemar Gathering Highland Games, Glen Affric, Calanais Standing Stones, and Dunnottar Castle all served as inspiration for the film.

Braveheart (1995)

Okay, I understand what you’re thinking. Many people love the film Braveheart, but many Scots despise it. It contains numerous historical inaccuracies and is largely a work of fiction. However, it is an international blockbuster film that has put Scotland on many people’s radar.

Following the film’s release, a Mel Gibson statue was erected outside the Wallace Monument in Stirling, Scotland. My family is from Stirling, and I found out about it from my grandmother. Even today, whenever the Wallace Monument comes up in conversation, my grandmother brings up the statue and how much everyone despises it. The statue, as it turned out, was constantly vandalized, and it was eventually stored in 2008.

Anyway, whether you like it or not, Braveheart did bring some aspects of Scottish history to the forefront of global attention. It’s entertaining and action-packed, so I had to include it on this list of Scottish movies. Netflix has a streaming version of Braveheart.

Wallace Monument, Stirling Bridge, and Glen Nevis were all inspirations for the film.

See more: Are Bagpipes Irish or Scottish? How did Bagpipes Become a Symbol of Scotland?

Brigadoon (1954)

Two Americans go on a hunting trip to Scotland and discover the charming village of Brigadoon. They have no idea it’s a magical village that only appears for a day every hundred years. Tommy Albright, one of the main characters, falls in love with Fiona, a village girl. If any of the villagers leave, the village will vanish forever. If an outsider falls in love with someone in the village, they must leave everything behind. Because shooting the film in Scotland would have been prohibitively expensive at the time, elaborate studio sets were built to resemble the Scottish Highlands.

The Scottish Highlands served as inspiration for the film.

Comfort and Joy (1984)

The comedy Comfort and Joy stars Bill Paterson as a DJ who witnesses a strange attack on an ice cream truck. He becomes embroiled in an intense rivalry and turf war between two Italian families who run ice cream trucks in Glasgow. Naturally, hilarious mishaps and hijinks ensue.

Locations Inspired by the Film: Glasgow

Edie (2017)

George, Edie’s 83-year-old husband, died recently. Her relationship with her daughter is also deteriorating. Edie decides to embark on the adventure of a lifetime as her daughter prepares to move her mother to a retirement home. Edie’s father planned a hiking trip to the Scottish Highlands during her marriage, but she never went. George forced her to stay at home. Edie is now packing her camping gear and preparing to hike Mount Suilven on her own. It can be watched on Amazon Prime.

Suilven, a village in Lochinver, served as inspiration for the film.

Geordie (1955)

Geordie, a small Scottish lad, applies for a mail-order bodybuilding course. By the age of 21, he has gained both strength and height through intense training. He decides to pursue hammer throwing as a sport and goes on to represent Britain in the 1956 Olympic Games in Melbourne, Australia. There’s also a love story between Geordie and his longtime friend, Jean, in the film.

Locations Inspired by the Film: Loch Lomond and the Trossachs

See more: Moving to Scotland & Pros and Cons of Living in Scotland

Gregory’s Girl (1980)

Gregory’s Girl, directed by Bill Forsyth, is a romantic comedy set in a high school. Gregory is an awkward adolescent who plays on the school football team, which is also doing poorly. Dorothy tries out while scouting new players and turns out to be a fantastic player (even though the coach is sexist about letting her join). Gregory develops a crush on Dorothy and must compete for her attention with many other boys at school.

North Lanarkshire was the inspiration for the film.

Highlander (1986)

Highlander is a fantasy action film starring Christopher Lambert and Sean Connery. It intertwines the present day with a story set in 16th century Scotland. The Highlander (Connery) is an immortal warrior who lives on for centuries, eventually settling in New York City. He can only be killed by beheading. His assailant stands to become the last living warrior, gaining control of the entire human race. During its initial theatrical run, the film was not well received. However, it developed a cult following, which led to sequels and television spin-offs. Highlander is now available on Amazon Prime.

Eilean Donan Castle, Glen Nevis, Glencoe, Loch Shiel, Torridon, and the Isle of Skye were all inspirations for the film.

Just Another Saturday (1975)

Just Another Saturday, starring Billy Connolly, first aired as a “Play for Today” on the BBC (a series of TV dramas, featuring original television plays). The Orange Walks are organized by the Orange Order, a protestant fraternal order from Northern Ireland. The main character in the film initially looks forward to the annual Orange Walk in Glasgow, but as the day approaches, he becomes disillusioned. It can be viewed in its entirety on YouTube.

Locations Inspired by the Film: Glasgow

Local Hero (1983)

Local Hero is set in a fictitious town called Ferness on Scotland’s west coast (actually filmed in Pennan in Aberdeenshire). A wealthy American oil company executive dispatches an employee to Scotland to purchase the town on the company’s behalf. Things don’t always go as planned, no matter how enthusiastic the locals appear at first. It’s an opportunity to experience both old-world Scottish charm and the picturesque scenery of a seaside village.

Pennan (Aberdeenshire coast), Morar, and Arisaig were all inspirations for the film.

Loch Ness (1996)

Why not watch the film Loch Ness before going in search of Nessie? Ted Danson and Joely Richardson star in this family drama. Dr. Dempsey, played by Danson, travels to Scotland to disprove the existence of the Loch Ness Monster. Fun fact: John Fusco wrote this screenplay at the age of 23 as a tribute to his Scottish grandmother, Isabel Moffat. Fusco named a young character in the film “Isabel,” who lives at the Moffat Arms Inn.

Locations Inspired by the Film: Loch Ness

Mary Queen of Scots (2018)

When compiling this list of the best Scottish movies, I couldn’t leave out the fascinating historical drama Mary Queen of Scots. It’s a historical drama about Mary Stuart’s life and the rivalry between Mary Queen of Scots and her cousin, Queen Elizabeth I. It also establishes Scotland’s and England’s tense rivalry. Queen of Scots: The True Life of Mary Stuart is based on John Guy’s biography. HBO has it available for streaming.

Blackness Castle, Glencoe, the Poldullie Bridge in Strathdon, and Seacliff Beach were all inspirations for the film.

See more: 6 Famous Scottish Women from History You Should Know

Neds (2010)

Neds stands for “non educated delinquents”. The film is a coming-of-age drama about a teenage boy growing up in Glasgow in the 1970s. Despite being a brilliant student, the main character, John McGill, is surrounded by street gangs and an abusive family life. It delves into the difficulties that teenagers raised in a rough environment face, as well as the effects on an emotionally destitute child. Neds is one of the Scottish films that depicts Glasgow youth culture in the 1970s. It can be watched on Amazon Prime.

Locations Inspired by the Film: Glasgow

Outlaw King (2018)

Outlaw King is a Netflix original film about Scottish King Robert the Bruce, who led a rebellion against the English from 1304 to 1307. The English Empire declares Bruce a “outlaw” because he led a Scottish army against the English. This historical action drama follows Bruce as he travels through the Scottish countryside, culminating in the epic Battle of Loudoun Hill. Outlaw King is only available on Netflix.

Craigmillar Castle, Linlithgow Palace, Blackness Castle, Dunfermline Abbey, Glencoe, Isle of Skye, and Glasgow University were all inspirations for the film.

Restless Natives (1985)

Restless Natives is one of the best Scottish adventure comedy films, telling the story of two friends who commit non-violent robberies together. One wears a clown mask, the other a wolfman mask, and they rob coach buses full of tourists in the Highlands. During a period of high unemployment in Edinburgh, they transform themselves into modern-day Robin Hoods, giving money to the poor while being pursued by the police.

Edinburgh, Glasgow, Linlithgow, and the Highlands served as inspiration for the film.

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Rob Roy (1995)

Rob Roy is a Scottish historical film about the 18th century Scottish chief of Clan MacGregor that was released the same year as Braveheart. Rob Roy, played by Liam Neeson, becomes an outlaw after a nobleman falsely accuses him of theft. Although it is not entirely historically accurate, it is one of the best films set entirely in Scotland. Many areas in the Scottish Highlands could only be reached by helicopter, and the cast and crew had to contend with rainstorms and swarms of midges while filming.

Glencoe, Glen Nevis, and Glen Tarbert were all inspirations for the film.

Shallow Grave (1994)

Shallow Grave is an Edinburgh-set dark comedy crime film. Three friends choose a new flatmate and barely get to know him before discovering his body in his room. They also discover his large suitcase full of cash. The friends face a series of dilemmas after concealing his death and keeping the money for themselves. As the three friends begin to turn on one another, two criminals search for the money. Shallow Grave is now available to watch on Starz.

Edinburgh was the inspiration for the film.

Skyfall (2012)

While there are several breathtaking locations in Skyfall, my personal favorite filming location has to be Scotland (perhaps I’m biased!). Skyfall is, of course, the 23rd installment in the James Bond film series. James Bond returns to his roots in the Scottish Highlands at the Bond family estate, played by Daniel Craig. The plot revolves around Bond’s investigation of an attack on MI6 and his attempt to find and eliminate the threat.

Glencoe and Glen Etive are two locations that inspired the film.

Stone of Destiny (2008)

Stone of Destiny is another of the best historical films about Scotland, and it is based on true events from the 1950s. It tells the story of Ian Hamilton, a Scottish nationalist who successfully robs Westminster Abbey of the Stone of Scone. King Edward I stole the Stone of Scone from Scotland in 1296. This adventure/comedy tells the story of four Glaswegian teenagers who outwit the British in order to reclaim this symbol of Scottish pride. It can be watched on Amazon Prime.

The Glenfinnan Viaduct, Paisley, and Glasgow were all inspirations for the film.

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Sunshine on Leith (2013)

Sunshine on Leith is a romantic musical film based on a stage musical that includes songs by The Proclaimers. The songs are performed by the film’s cast. The Proclaimers themselves make a brief cameo appearance. The film follows two soldiers who return to Edinburgh after serving in Afghanistan. They must figure out how to return to normal life and routines in Scotland after leaving the army. Their struggles with relationships, families, and employment are depicted in the film.

Edinburgh was the inspiration for the film.

Sweet Sixteen (2002)

Sweet Sixteen is the story of a troubled adolescent boy from Glasgow. He’s determined to start over with his mother now that she’s been released from prison. He works hard to save himself and his mother from troubled relationships with her boyfriend and his grandfather. The boy attempts to raise funds so that they can purchase their own home. His misadventures and money-making schemes cause him more trouble than he intended.

Locations Inspired by the Film: Glasgow

Trainspotting (1996)

Trainspotting is one of the most iconic films about Scotland and Edinburgh. It’s a drama/comedy about Edinburgh’s drug culture, one man’s attempts to overcome his heroin addiction, and his relationships with his friends. While some may see the film as glorifying drug use, it also depicts urban poverty, decay, and the devastation of lives.

Edinburgh was the inspiration for the film.

Under the Skin (2013)

Scarlett Johansson stars in Under the Skin, a science fiction film set in Scotland. Johansson is an alien who takes on the appearance of a woman. She seduces her male victims into a void that obliterates them. However, as time passes, Johansson’s character begins to identify with humans and discovers her true self.

Locations Inspired by the Film: Glasgow

Whisky Galore (1949)

Whisky Galore is a comedy film based on true events that takes place on a fictitious Scottish island. The island’s residents have run out of whisky due to wartime rationing. A nearby shipwreck, on the other hand, contains 50,000 cases of whisky. Without the knowledge of the local customs officials, the islanders attempt to ransack the shipwreck.

Outer Hebrides were the inspiration for the film.

The Wicker Man (1973)

The Wicker Man is a horror film, and I recommend watching the original version rather than the newer Nicholas Cage version! It is set in a small Scottish village. A police sergeant travels to the village to look for a missing girl. The villagers deny the girl’s existence. At the same time, the officer (a religious Christian man) is troubled by the residents’ pagan traditions.

The following locations inspired the film: Gatehouse of Fleet, Newton Stewart, Kirkcudbright, and Creetown.

Topic: 25 Famous Movies About Scotland That You Need to Watch 2023

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