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Writer's pictureAnna Gill

5 Aberdeenshire Film Location Walks

We all know that Aberdeenshire is full of stunning spots and beautiful scenery. But did you know that these locations were actually used in films?


Dunnottar Castle

Dunnottar Castle is probably Aberdeenshire's most famous castle! It is in such a unique setting, and there is a super walk to get there from Stonehaven Harbour.


Dunnottar Castle was the film location of the 1990 adaptation of Shakespeare's Hamlet directed by Franco Zeffirelli and featuring Mel Gibson. More recently, it saw another adaptation of a classic!


Dunnottar Castle was a so a film ocation for Frankenstein (2015). This one was directed by Paul McGuigan and starred Daniel Radcliffe and James McAvoy.


Strathdon

Strathdon was a filming location for the recent Mary Queen of Scots film. It was directed by Josie Rourke and starring Margot Robbie and Saoirse Ronan. The filming location was the picturesque Poldullie Bridge.


It is featured when Mary is ambushed and there are cows blocking the bridge.


Strathdon is also home to lots of trails which are great for walking! We recommend either exploring the streets of Strathdon or climbing up Ben Newe!



Cruden Bay

Cruden Bay and Slains Castle are two super walking areas for all ages! But did you know that they were featured in the Netflix Series 'The Crown'? Slains Castle is used as the double for 'Castle May' in Series 1 Episode 8 and there is a shot of the Queen's Mother riding along Cruden Bay beach where she spots the castle.


Zoology Building

Okay this is technically cheating because it is in Aberdeen City. But this is the film location for a major newly released film! It is called Tetris and is directed by Peterhead's John S Baird. It stars Taron Egerton who you'll know from the Kingsman Series (Eggsy), Rocketman, and Sing! to name a few.


This is exciting for Aberdeen as they wrapped filming around some of our streets. One location included in the film is the Zoology Building at The University. We're going to have to watch this film over the weekend now!


There are also a few walks for you around here, including the Botanic Gardens just beside here, and Seaton Park along the road.


Pennan Harbour

Here we have a pretty famous telephone box in Pennan! This iconic prop shot to fame when it was featured in Local Hero. This comedy directed by Bill Forsyth was set and filmed in Pennan. Funnily enough, the telephone box was not originally part of the small village but was installed for the movie. Due to popular demand, a fully functioning telephone box was installed into the village and is now a listed building!


There is a beautiful walk from Pennan to Aberdour Bay. It is around 7km and takes 1.5 hours, so a perfect excuse to go visit this location!


We hope this inspires you to find some new walks in Aberdeenshire around dramatic film locations! Do you know of any other film locations in Aberdeen or Aberdeenshire? Let us know in the comments!

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