The best Scottish movies according to me :-)

Are you planning to visit Scotland and looking for some inspiration? As well as my Scottish travel blog ?How about watching some of the best films about Scotland? This list of movies will have your booking your trip before you can say "Take me to the mountain". Whether it's a movie set in Scotland, a Scottish historical romance or movies about those Scottish Highlanders this list has something for everyone. It's also a list of films I'd like to add to so if I'm missing out your favourite please let me know in the comments below so i can add it on. I'm always looking for good films about Scotland or ones which use Scottish filming locations, the film industry here is booming at the moment and with news of new film studios in the pipeline I'm excited to watch this list grow.

This post contains some affiliated links, meaning i get a little cut if you click on the movies below and decide to purchase. Just click the photo if you fancy some Scottish inspiration.
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Macbeth

Macbeth

Shakespeare’s tale of murder, guilt, witches and tyranny hardly shows of the most beautiful side of Scotland but it’s a well known story and definitely one of watch. I particularly like the 2015 version with Michael Fassbender playing a rather dishy Macbeth. Receiving a prophecy from three witches that one day he will become the King of Scotland, he is consumed by ambition, kills the king and spirals into madness. Filming took place across the UK and the Isle of Skye appears regularly.
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The Wicker Man

The Wicker Man (The Final Cut) [1973]

A thriller about a policeman’s visit to an isolated island in search of a missing girl, only to find that Catholicism has been replaced with Pagan rituals which leaves him horrified. Filmed mostly in Scotland it’s a bizarre, weird but strangely good film.  The climax of the film, the burning of the Wicker Man, took place at Burrow Head in Dumfries and Galloway. Dumfries and Galloway was actually used for a lot of the filming, as well as the beautiful village of Plockton in the Highlands.
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Brave

Brave

No list would be complete without a little Disney and this story of a brave and courageous little flame haired girl roaming the hills and glens of Scotland, accompanied by a fantanstic film score will melt your heart. Set in 10th century Scotland young Merida is an archer, which is strictly against ancient customs. Although Brave is an animation the production team visited Scotland, including Dunnotter Castle, Edinburgh Castle, Loch Ness, the Calanais Standing Stones and Dun Carloway which no doubt inspired Brave's beautiful animated landscapes. The film won a BAFTA, an Oscar and a Golden Globe.

Trainspotting

Trainspotting [DVD] [1996]

This black comedy directed by Danny Boyle shows viewers the dark and dingy side of Edinburgh, through the eyes of a heroin addict and his friends. It’s gross, heartbreaking and hilarious at the same time and was filmed in the city itself. The same Scottish actress who voices Merida in Brave also stars in Trainspotting, along with Ewan McGregor, Jonny Lee Miller and Robert Carlyle. Most of the filming was done in Edinburgh and Glasgow, the opening scene where Spud and Renton get chased by a security guard was filmed on Princes Street. The soundtrack is fantastic and is regularly within the top 10 of best movie soundtrack lists.

Harry Potter

Harry Potter - Complete 8-Film Collection (2016 Edition) [DVD + UV Copy]

Ok whilst not actually in Scotland but the magical fantasy world of Hogwarts, a lot of the filming was done here. You can spot Glencoe which makes a stunning backdrop in several of the films, The Hogwarts Express crossed Glenfinnan Viaduct, Loch Eilt was used for the exterior shots of Hogwarts and the actors camped at Loch Etive.
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Whisky Galore

Whisky Galore

This comedy is based on a true story of a shipwreck off the coast of a Scottish Island. The island has run dry of it’s favourite spirit and when the islanders find out the ship is carrying 50,000 cases of whisky they decide to keep it, although the customs and excise team do not agree! The original film was released in 1949 and has just been remade (2016). 
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Braveheart

Braveheart

Although the story is pretty inaccurate this film was a huge hit when released, being nominated for 10 academy awards. Mel Gibson plays William Wallace who led the Scottish in the first war of Scottish independence. Expect hairy Scots in tartan kilts, fights and heaps of patriotic roaring. The guys love it.
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Local Hero

Local Hero [DVD]

A heart warming tale of how easy it is to fall in love with Scotland’s villages. A hot shot oil executive from the states arrives with plans to knock down a village and replace it with a refinery only to fall in love with the place. 

Want to visit the beautiful beaches in Local Hero?
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The Da Vinci Code

The Da Vinci Code

Directed by Ron Howard and starring Tom Hanks this controversial film was released in 2006. It’s based on the book of the same name written by Dan Brown. The main characters investigate the murder of The Louvre curator and whilst doing so come across a mysterious set of clues to follow, leading them to London then to Rosslyn Chapel. The Chapel has had a huge increase in visitors since the book was released and Tom Hanks stated 
“Rosslyn Chapel was all one could have imagined or hoped for”
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Sunshine on Leith

Sunshine On Leith [2013] [DVD]

In my opinion one of the best Scottish movies of all time, this cheery musical is based in Edinburgh. Released in 2013 it’s an adaption of a stage musical of the same name which is a jukebox of songs from The Proclaimers. This is a proper feel good film and I'll eat my left foot if you aren’t singing along as the cast dance and sing on the Mound to 500 miles. 
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There you have it, the best Scottish movies of all time, in my opinion. Have I missed any? Which are your favourites? Let me know in the comments below.
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