As evidenced by the complimentary – and somewhat hyperbolic – nickname, ‘Athens of the North’, Edinburgh’s aesthetic beauty is central to its appeal. The Scottish capital's spectacular Castle Rock has been likened to the Athenian Acropolis since the mid eighteenth century, and the prevalence of neoclassical architecture throughout the city evokes a dramatic, gothic ambience. It is therefore hardly surprising that Edinburgh has served as a compelling backdrop for countless cinematic scenes. When visiting Edinburgh on business, take some time from your busy schedule to explore our selection of famous, and lesser-known, Edinburgh film locations during your stay.
5. Old Town
Dominated by towering townhouses and labyrinthine cobbled streets, Edinburgh’s charismatic Old Town is as inimitable as it is photogenic. Its distinctive appearance means Old Town isn’t often used as a substitute location. Rather, Old Town is used almost exclusively for location filming – the area being synonymous with the Scottish capital. For this reason, Old Town featured prominently in the hugely popular Avengers: Infinity War – its gothic and comparatively quaint setting contrasting sharply with the gleaming metropolises featured elsewhere in the Marvel franchise. This deliberate contrast signified the lengths that the two featured characters – Scarlet Witch and Vision – went to in order to find safety in the relative obscurity of Scotland, while also enhancing the film’s global appeal. This sense of safety – encapsulated by Old Town’s cosy street-lit avenues – is consequently subverted when the characters are caught up in a frenetic fight scene along the Royal Mile. Despite being the scene of an alien attack, the film’s portrayal of Old Town did wonders for the city’s international profile. The seemingly incongruous link between Old Town and science fiction films can also be traced to 2012’s Cloud Atlas. In the film, CGI is employed to remove any sign of modernity, due to its 1930s setting. One scene sees the character of Robert Frobisher, played by Ben Whishaw, in an exciting chase along Old Town’s famous Victoria Terrace. Other Edinburgh scenes feature the City Chambers and St David Street.
4. Arthur's Seat
Situated one mile east of Edinburgh’s centre, Arthur’s Seat is an ancient volcano overlooking the city and providing a rural escape from the bustling streets. Lending itself to moments of solitude and reflection, it’s unsurprising that Arthur’s Seat is frequently utilised by filmmakers in scenes involving character introspection and realisation. Such an example occurs in the long-awaited sequel to the wildly successful Trainspotting, the aptly named T2: Trainspotting. Following an exhilarating run around Holyrood Park, protagonist Mark – played by Ewan McGregor – sits atop Arthur’s Seat, looking across the city beside his friend Spud. Staying with the running theme, Arthur’s Seat also made an appearance in the 1981 classic, Chariots of Fire, in which characters Eric Liddell and Jennie Liddell stroll together beneath the hillside and a symbolic setting sun. Needless to say, of all our Edinburgh film locations, Arthur’s Seat is best for enjoying a run during your stay.
3. Rosslyn Chapel
Although located a 30-40 minute drive south of the city centre, and despite having only appeared in one narrative film, Rosslyn Chapel is still considered one of most significant film locations in Edinburgh. Originally constructed in the 15th century, the chapel has undergone several restoration and conservation works since the mid-1800s and remains a beautiful example of medieval architecture – such a beautiful example, in fact, that the chapel was written into a key plot sequence of best-selling Dan Browne novel, The Da Vinci Code. Consequently, the chapel was used in the film adaptation, with director Ron Howard filming multiple scenes with stars Tom Hanks and Audrey Tautou on location. The success of the novel and film led to a surge in visitors to the chapel – in turn generating funds for the Rosslyn Chapel Trust to complete much-needed conservation work.
2. City Streets
Edinburgh’s city streets, encompassed by impressive neoclassical and medieval architecture as they are, serve as dramatic backdrops to many key scenes from cinema history. The iconic opening sequence from the previously mentioned Trainspotting features protagonist Mark Renton running from police along Princes Street and Calton Road, accompanied by the pounding drumbeat of Iggy Pop’s ‘Lust for Life’. A similarly iconic visual was established in the romantic drama, One Day, based on David Nicholls’ best-selling novel. The film's two romantically entwined characters, Emma and Dexter, share a kiss at the intersection of Moray Place and Forres Street, and the image was used extensively in the film’s promotion – including the main release poster. Such is the versatility of Edinburgh’s cityscape, it is speculated that some scenes of the upcoming DC superhero movie, Flash, were filmed on the city’s streets – as well as in Glasgow – as to emulate the feel of Tim Burton’s stylised Gotham City from the original Batman (1989) film.
1. Edinburgh Castle
Looming imperiously above the city, Edinburgh Castle is an intimidating structure strategically placed for military superiority. First documented in writings dating back to 1093, the castle has undergone countless phases of redevelopment, repair and rebuilding, and is today one of the city’s most popular tourist attractions. The castle has been used in many cinematic projects, most notably the historical black comedy Burke & Hare, starring Simon Pegg and Andy Serkis. The film is based on the infamous murders committed by William Burke and William Hare (who sold the corpses to anatomist Robert Knox for use in his lectures) in Edinburgh in 1828. Somewhat more anachronistic was the castle’s appearance in the 2013 film Filth, based on the novel of the same name by Irvine Welsh, about a sadistic Scottish police detective. However, the castle has actually appeared in virtually all films based in Edinburgh, making it one of the most regularly featured Edinburgh film locations – often finding its way into scenes by default due to its precipitous location.
Your business trip to Edinburgh need not be defined by just meetings and meals – use our guide to visit these real life film locations whilst staying in one of our recommended Edinburgh serviced apartments. Make the most of your evenings in the city by reading our guide to the best Edinburgh whisky experiences, as well as the best things to do at night during your stay.
