Film fans’ guide to the ‘set-jetting’ action
IT provided the spellbinding setting for the filming of Harry Potter’s adventures.
Glenfinnan viaduct in Inverness- shire, appears as the main route for the Hogwarts Express and is the scene of high drama for the boy wizard in his flying Ford Anglia.
But now it is hoped fans will be inspired to see the stunning backdrop to adventures such as Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by a new movie map.
It highlights around 50 locations used in a range of productions, from Hollywood blockbusters to science fiction and horror.
The sites include Glen Etive, where James Bond and M – played by Daniel Craig and Dame Judy Dench – paused during the adrenaline-filled action in 2012 thriller Skyfall.
Also featured are Eilean Donan Castle, which is seen in the fantasy Highlander, and Glen Coe, which forms a backdrop in classic The 39 Steps. Cult horror production The Wicker Man was filmed partly in Plockton, Ross-shire, while sci-fi classic 2001: A Space Odyssey features Glen Nevis.
The Scottish tourism organisation says that it has released the map in a bid to inspire ‘setjetting’ fans.
Jenni Steele, film and creative industries marketing manager at VisitScotland, explained: ‘This map is an indispensable guide to movies shot in the Highlands and on Skye.
‘From Monty Python And The Holy Grail to Local Hero and Braveheart, the spectacular scenery of the region has been a magnet for generations of film-makers.
‘With set-jetting an ever more popular pastime, I’m sure even more people will be inspired to come to the Highlands after learning of its rich silver screen legacy.’
The guide was created by VisitScotland and Highland Council and features a dedicated section on Skye.
The island, in addition to providing the opening airport scene for Flash Gordon in 1980, has been a major draw to film-makers in recent years.
Audrey Sinclair, chairman of Highland Council’s planning, development and infrastructure committee, said: ‘The Highlands has a great history of being used as a movie location and we also know this can be a significant factor in encouraging people to visit many parts of the Highlands to experience our fantastic scenery for themselves.’
The map is available in Visit Scotland information centres and to download online.