Scottish Highlands film and TV itinerary

Will you walk or bike this long-distance trail, taking in 134 miles (215km) of glorious Scottish scenery? Travel from Helensburgh in the west to Dunbar on the North Sea coast, drinking in Scotland’s rich history and heritage en route. A renowned conservationist, John Muir is known as the ‘father of the national parks’ in the US and the Way is a tribute to his legacy. If you don’t have time to do the whole trek, there are some useful day and half-day trip ideas instead.

Swap your bike for your walking shoes to immerse yourself in Highlands beauty on this 96-mile (154km) hiking trail, between Milngavie and Fort William. Dipping into this route at the closest point to you, choose from stunning short walks or the full multi-day route, exploring heather-tufted valleys, thundering waterfalls and mighty mountain peaks. 

Kayak, canoe, book a cruise or wild swim? With its watersports and boat trips, Loch Lomond is a refreshing place to unwind – and its forested shores are catnip for hikers, cyclists and campers. For the best local things to do, check out its visitor centre at ​​Balloch. Set within craggy hills and mountains, Post Malone decided to film his music video Mourning by the lake as he found Scotland to be “absolutely stunning”. He’s not wrong there.  

Fancy a hot tub with a view? The luxury adults-only lodges (or ‘Bonnie Barns’) at Lennox of Lomond serve up rest and relaxation with a side of loch vistas, perfect for unwinding after a day of exploring. Don your hiking boots, or mountain bike, to discover the surrounding countryside, hop on a quad bike trailer tour, and try your hand at the working farm with a Day in the Life of a Farmer experience. 

When Sir Walter Scott wrote the poem ‘The Lady of the Lake’, he put the natural beauty of The Trossachs on the map. But Scott is just one of the many artists, writers and creatives who have been inspired by this remarkable landscape – as this cultural walking trail reveals. Dotted with information boards and wind-up ‘sound stories’, the route encompasses Brig o' Turk, Loch Katrine and Inversnaid: an incredible hike in its own right. 

Experience Loch Katrine and its glorious Trossachs National Park surroundings from the steamship Sir Walter Scott for a grand day out. Bring a picnic and tuck in at the lakeside Brenachoile Point, as seen in Outlander series two in a scene with Brianna and Roger. 

All aboard the Steamship Sir Walter Scott for picture-perfect views of Loch Katrine, part of Britain’s second largest nature reserve. 2025 is a special year as it marks 125 years of SS Sir Walter Scott sailing these waters, so what better time to join in the fun? In fact, tourists have been coming to this special spot for 180 years, since Sir Walter Scott’s 1810 poem The Lady of the Lake, earning Loch Katrine the honour of ‘the birthplace of Scottish tourism’. Outlander fans – keep an eye out for Brenachoile Point, as seen on screen.

Hydro-powered whisky anyone? This unique distillery offers up a smooth tiple with a distinctly waxy texture. Once a Victorian cotton mill, take a tour of the distillery and opt for one of the whisky tasting experiences. The building also featured in Outlander season two as a wine warehouse. 

Found a short walk south from the village of Garelochhead, Gare Lock offers hiking, wildlife spotting and a spot of wild swimming. Hop on your bike to cycle around the loch, or opt for a 4x4 adventure in the surrounding hills. James Bond stood on the shores of this vast, open sea loch in The Spy Who Loved Me. 

A fusion of modernity, baroque, palladian and gothic, Inveraray Castle was inspired by a sketch from the architect that brought Blenheim Palace and Castle Howard to Britain. Home to the Duke and Duchess of Argyll and their children, the castle has been passed down through generations and can be visited from March – October. Always ready for its close up, Inveraray has featured in Downton Abbey's Christmas 2012 episode, as well as the TV thriller The Diplomat.

Welcome to the ‘Capital of Argyll’, the gateway to Loch Fyne and the glorious Highlands. A prison might not be your typical first port of call on holiday, but the 19th-century Inveraray Jail is an award-winning museum immersing you in the crimes and punishments of the past. For breathtaking views of the town and the Loch beyond, climb to the monument of Dùn na Cuaiche, then refuel at the history-making George Hotel, crowned National Inn of the Year and Whisky Bar of the Year 2025. If you fell in love with Hallmark’s A Merry Scottish Christmas, you’ll recognise Inveraray as the fictional town of Glencrave. 

An unmissable Scottish spot for any keen kayaker, Glen Etive is a haven in the Highlands. Known as one of the most challenging white-water routes, adventurers can navigate their way round rushing pools and dramatic waterfalls, while TV and film fanatics will spot the landscape from James Bond’s Skyfall (2012), Braveheart (1995) and more. Nearby Glencoe was the setting for Skyfall Lodge, 007’s ancestral home, in the spy’s 23rd screen outing.

A highlight of the Lochaber Geopark, discover the fascinating geological heritage of Glencoe – ripe for outdoor adventures. It provides a suitably imposing backdrop for James Bond’s ancestral home, Skyfall Lodge, and you can also spot it in productions such as Outlander and Prometheus.  

Fort William has been nicknamed Britain’s ‘Outdoor Capital’ – and for good reason. Adventure is never far away in the Scottish Highlands, and there are plenty of ways to get your mountain highs. Ski or snowboard in the Nevis Range, tackle the Great Glen Cycle Route or tee off at the foot of Ben Nevis at the Fort William Golf Club. Don’t leave without a dram from the Ben Nevis Distillery, one of Scotland’s oldest licensed whisky distilleries. Potterheads should make time to visit Steall Falls too, a striking waterfall that featured in the famous dragon scene of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.

This picture-perfect loch is surrounded by dramatic peaks and home to diverse wildlife – expect to spot eagles, red deer and black-throated divers. The best way to explore is to hop in a canoe and paddle around for 360-degree views. If something feels familiar, that’s because a certain wizard flew across these waters on Buckbeak the hippogriff, in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.

Sitting alongside the West Highland Railway Line, Loch Eilt is a hidden gem in the Highlands crown. Hike around the loch or take to the waters in a kayak or boat tour. Harry Potter fans will recognise the landscape as the setting for Hogwarts. It’s also home to the White Tomb, the final resting place of Albus Dumbledore.

With scene-stealing views around every corner, it’s no wonder these landscapes inspired a Disney princess. Mountains, moorlands, vast pinewoods – Glen Affric is showstopping in every season, as you’ll discover on a hike or canoe trip in these parts. You’ll see Brave’s Merida and her trusty stead, Angus, galloping through scenery just like this in the film. The filmmakers travelled to Glen Affric to seek inspiration for Brave, and the area’s wild beauty is reflected in these scenes. 

If you’re a keen cyclist looking for a challenge, this 234-mile (377km) bike route through Highland countryside, lochs and mountains ends at Inverness. Running from Campbeltown in the west all the way to the east of the country, take in spectacular scenery along the way. Expect remote rural sections to traffic-free paths.  

This place of natural beauty, myth and legend is just a 40-minute drive out of the city centre. Take in Loch Ness and see if you can spy ‘Nessie’ yourself. Journey back 500 million years and uncover the history of the area on the one-hour Loch Ness Centre tour, located in the exact hotel where the first sighting of the Loch Ness Monster (‘Nessie’) was reported. Discover the origins of the legendary monster and hear testimonies from those who have first-hand accounts of close encounters. Visitors can also explore the murky depths of Loch Ness on a boat tour. 

With a monster-sized collection of cruises and tours, head out on the water and explore Loch Ness. Accessible and suitable for all ages, choose from a selection of award-winning cruises. Try the Freedom Tour to explore the loch and the historic Urquhart Castle, or cruise the Canal and Loch on the Reflection Tour and hear about the history of the area as you sail along taking in the scenery. 

Visitors to Urquhart Castle have recorded many Loch Ness Monster sightings over the years, and it even features in a 1955 photo of Nessie. Whether you believe the legend or not, this is a spellbinding spot on the banks of Loch Ness. The castle ruins have spectacular views of the water and a history that spans around 1,000 years. It was once a medieval fortress, and it’s easy to imagine what life was like here during the Wars of Independence. The last soldiers departed in 1692, blowing the castle up as they left, but the ruins remain resplendent.

Now a peaceful landscape a short drive out of the city centre, visit the Culloden Battlefield where the 1745 Jacobite Rising took place and met a tragic end. A powerful reminder of history, see actual artefacts and discover what it was like to be part of the battles in the immersive cinema at the interactive visitor centre. A prominent feature in the TV series Outlander, the location can be seen in the show.

Standing for up to 4,000 years, the stones of Clava Cairns mark a Bronze Age burial site – and have been added to and adorned over the years since. The site features standing stones, ring cairns and kerb cairns, all of which visitors are free to explore. A tangible insight into ancient Scottish history, set in a beautiful forest setting near Culloden. Clava Cairns is also the inspiration behind Craigh na Dun, the spot where Claire time travels, in the TV show Outlander.

Jet back in time over 200 years to discover the real history and locations behind the inspiration of the TV series Outlander. Collected from your hotel in the morning, your day starts at Clava Cairns before heading on to Fort George, the Culloden Battlefield, Loch Ness and Urquhart Castle and Beauly Priory. Get a Taste of Scotland at the Glen Ord Singleton Distillery, too.

Building on the fine art of Scotch whisky distilling and brewing, this low-carbon, distillery offers the chance for a full whisky experience. With sustainability front and centre, this craft brewery is found on the banks of the River Ness, with the mythical beast, Nessie, giving inspiration for the brand name: Loch Ness Monster (Uile-bheist Loch Ness). Discover the state-of-the-art facilities with either the Head Brewer, Head Distiller or regular tour, enjoying a ‘wee dram’ (sip of the good stuff) as you go. Accessible tours are available, too. 

As an extension to your trip, hit the road with one of Britain’s most spectacular driving routes – the North Coast 500, from Inverness. This 516-mile (830km) route goes past dramatic coasts, beautiful beaches, majestic mountains and remote villages around the north Highlands. You can do it all in around a week, or just tackle parts of it, but whatever you do, you won’t forget it. Black Rock Gorge can be seen in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2005). The 2007 film Stardust shot scenes on the cliffs overlooking Bealach Na Ba and Lochs Maree and Coulin near Kinlochewe. And the landscape at Glen Etive can been seen in James Bond: Skyfall.