Set jetting The Wicker Man
In the 50 years since its original release, The Wicker Man has achieved true cult status as one of the most revered horror films in cinema history.
Many of the scenes were filmed in towns and villages around Dumfries and Galloway, the rural locations exuding a menacing quality on screen as Sergeant Neil Howie, played by Edward Woodward, flies to the fictional Scottish island of Summerisle to solve the mystery of a missing schoolgirl.
Instead of cooperation from the islanders, however, Howie uncovers bizarre pagan rituals and disturbing tales of human sacrifice.
Plockton, a village on Loch Carron in the Western highlands of Scotland, was used as the harbour of Summerisle where Howie first lands in his seaplane.
Due to its location, Plockton benefits from a mild climate that allows certain types of palm tree to prosper. The palm trees seen in the Wicker Man are real and can still be spotted there.
The village wasn’t big enough to be used convincingly as Summerisle itself and instead Kirkcudbright (pronounced Kuh-koo-bree), a harbour town in the estuary of the River Dee, played the main part of the fictional island.
The interior of The Green Man Pub, where Willow, played by Britt Ekland, first tries to unleash her charms on Howie, was shot in the Ellangowan Hotel bar in Creetown. The inn’s exterior scenes were filmed at the Cally Estates office on Ann Street in Gatehouse of Fleet.
Perched on a cliff top overlooking the Firth of Clyde, Culzean (pronounced Kull-ane) Castle, was used for the exterior shots of Lord Summerisle’s castle.
The fiery climactic scene was shot on Burrow Head, near the Isle of Whithorn. Nearby, St Ninian’s Cave is a favourite spot for Wicker Man fans – where Howie was led away during the finale.
The search for fabled missing scenes over the decades has only added to the mythology of the film. Studiocanal’s restored cut will mark its 50th birthday. ■■The Wicker Man: Final Cut is in cinemas from June 21, the summer solstice. visitscotland.com
See the Coronation outfits worn by the King and Queen on a London and Buckingham Palace coach trip.
Departs on August 5, 19 and September 2, prices from £169pp with pick-up points across England
and Wales, one night’s accommodation and admission to the palace State Rooms.
omegabreaks.com