Choose life. Choose a Campervan. Choose Visiting Four of Scotland’s Famous Film Locations in a Campervan…

Scotland’s abundance of diverse visual splendour has long meant it’s a draw for filmmakers. The dramatic landscapes, historic sites and charming villages have offered perfect backdrops for a variety of top quality cinematic tales, including, amongst the best, The Wicker Man, Local Hero, Trainspotting and Braveheart. Climbing into your campervan and exploring Scotland’s iconic movie magic while also enjoying the freedom of the open road is a really rewarding way to travel. In this edition of our blog, we focus in on four special road trips for film enthusiasts who’ve shopped, or are thinking of shopping, for their campervan at Dicksons…

1. Local Hero

The 1983 film Local Hero is a heartwarming comedy-drama that really manages to capture the unique charm and quirkiness of small Scottish harbour villages. The film was primarily shot in the village of Pennan, located on the north coast of Aberdeenshire. Its picturesque harbour and iconic plot-essential red phone box must-see movie attractions – and still look as they did forty years ago, so are perfect or your Local Hero moment on Instagram. A meal or a drink in the Pennan Inn and you’re right there in the heart of the Local Hero action.

The road down to Pennan is winding, narrow and steep, and it’s small village so there’s limited parking. It’s probably best to park your campervan at a designated site (try the nearby Gamrie Bay, just 4 miles away) and walk in. You can hum Mark Knopfler’s iconic theme music along the way – it really is the perfect accompaniment to the scenery you’ll pass through. Another significant location from Local Hero is Banff, also in Aberdeenshire. The film’s stunning beach scenes were filmed there, with beautiful views of the Moray Firth.

Locations and their Postcodes:

Pennan Inn, harbour and phone box: AB43 6HY

2. The Wicker Man

This 1973 cult folk-horror film is set on a fictional island but was filmed in various locations around the west coast of Scotland. The harbour village of Plockton, located on the shores of Loch Carron high in the north west of Scotland, served as the backdrop for the opening scenes of the film. However, it is further down the coast, around Dumfries & Galloway, where the majority of the film was made.

The town of Kirkcudbright, now known for its rich artistic heritage and scenic charm, features quaint streets, back alleys, a church, a shop and harbour cottages which were used significantly in the film and look almost exactly the same fifty years on. Other notable locations include the Ellangowan Hotel pub in Creetown near Newton Stewart, the ruined churchyard and schoolhouse (now an air b’n’b) at the hamlet Anwoth, the secluded beach at St Ninian’s, the impressive Logan Botanic Gardens, the beautiful Castle Kennedy and gardens and the cliff-head at Burrow Head (site of the wicker man himself at the film’s horrific conclusion).

The film’s use of real locations rather than studio sets lent it an authenticity and depth that productions of that era often lack. To this day, fans of The Wicker Man often visit Dumfries & Galloway to experience what made the film a unique and enduring piece of cinema history – almost stepping into the film itself through these haunting and often unchanged landscapes.

Locations and their Postcodes:

Plockton harbour: IV52 8TG

Kirkcudbright shop: DG6 4JL

Ellangowan Hotel, Creetown: DG8 7JF

Anwoth church ruins and schoolhouse: DG7 2EN

Logan Botanic Gardens, Stranraer: DG9 9ND

St Ninian’s: DG8 8JU

Burrow Head: DG8 8JB

3. Trainspotting

Trainspotting, based on the funny, dark and druggy Irvine Welsh novel, was released in 1996. This instant cinema classic opened iconically, with Ewan McGregor’s character Renton running away from the police after a shoplifting spree down Princes Street in Edinburgh and delivering one of cinema’s great monologues. This stretch of city pavement, plus the back street under Regent bridge, are absolutely essential stops on your Trainspotting trip.

Over in Glasgow, what is now the BrewHaus on Queen Margaret Drive was used as the pub where the characters got drunk, and Robert Carlyle’s Begbie started a vicious brawl by throwing a beer mug over a balcony. The Volcano nightclub on Benalder Street was another important location in Trainspotting, though it was demolished years ago to make way for some flats. A change of scenery is offered by a three-and-a-half hour drive north to the small town and railway station at Corrour, where remote and breathtaking landscapes contrast with the urban grit of Edinburgh and Glasgow, and provide a poignant backdrop for some scenes. Back in Glasgow, enjoy some ice cream at the Café D’Jaconelli, where Renton and the character Spud share a milkshake.

Locations and their Postcodes:

Princes Street, Edinburgh: EH2 2DG

Queen Margaret Drive, Glasgow: G20 8NX

Benalder Street, Glasgow: G11 6PU

Café D’Jaconelli, Glasgow: G20 7EE

Corrour Station: PH33 6TE

4. Braveheart

Mel Gibson’s epic Braveheart was released in 1995 and takes viewers on a journey through Scotland’s rich history amid stunning landscapes. Although the film is set in various locations across the country, many iconic scenes were filmed in and around Glen Nevis and Loch Leven. However, begin your Braveheart journey in Stirling, home to a historic castle and the Wallace Monument, both of which are central to the story of William Wallace (aka Braveheart himself).

From Stirling, head towards Glen Nevis, near Fort William. Glen Nevis is one of the most beautiful glens in Scotland and served as the backdrop for many of the film’s vivid battle scenes. It’s a great area for hiking, with trails suitable for all levels of experience. The Glen Nevis Visitor Centre offers parking and facilities for campervan owners, making it a really convenient base for exploring the region.

Next, visit Loch Leven. This is where scenes of Wallace’s escape were filmed. The loch is surrounded by stunning scenery and offers numerous outdoor activities (including boating, fishing and hiking) to occupy you once you’ve found the Braveheart bits you wanted to see.

Locations and their Postcodes:

Wallace Monument, Stirling: FK9 5LF

Glen Nevis Visitor Centre: PH33 6ST

Loch Leven: KY13 8UF

5. Practical Tips for Your Journey

Here are some practical tips to ensure a smooth and enjoyable journey every time:

• Route plan: Scotland’s narrow roads and remote locations can be challenging for larger vehicles, including campervans. Plan your route in advance and be prepared for tight squeezes and the occasional single-track road.
• Book ahead: Many of Scotland’s campsites and motorhome parks are popular, especially during peak season. Booking in advance ensures you have a spot to park overnight.
• Stay connected: Mobile phone coverage can be patchy in remote areas. Ensure you have a reliable sat nav, plus paper map as back-up, and inform someone back at home of your travel plans.
• Respect the environment: Scotland’s natural beauty is an enduring treasure, to be respected. Always follow the Scottish Outdoor Access Code, dispose of waste properly, and respect local wildlife and communities.
• Be weather-wise: Scotland’s weather can often be unpredictable. Pack clothes appropriately, check the forecast regularly, and be mindful that sudden changes in conditions might occur.

Travelling through Scotland in a campervan offers an amazing amount of freedom and flexibility, so you can explore Scotland’s famous filming locations in your own time. Whether you’re a fan of heartwarming comedies, gritty urban dramas, epic historical tales or folk-horror classics, Scotland’s diverse scenery provides the perfect backdrop for your own adventure.

Once you’ve picked your campervan from Dicksons, prepare to pack your bags, start your engine and head off into the silver screen for a road trip you’ll never forget!