Film Locations of the Highland Saga Show

Most of the filming was done at what is probably Scotland’s most famous lake: Loch Lomond. In the course of a few days  - and experiencing vastly differing weather conditions - the film team explored the shores. On two occasions they were lucky enough to capture a rainbow stretching over the lake - a truly magnificent nature spectacle! 

In this scene Dougie is tracing the footsteps of Kelvin, his grandfather. The rainbow in the background is authentic because the weather cooperated in every way.

The scenes with the young couple Dougie and Caitlin were shot at a country seat near Drymen. After we had published our first video the owner of the property received a phone call from Hollywood: the producers of the popular series “Outlander” wanted to rent the location for filming, but the owner politely refused. This place should remain a secret.

Before we were there only two production firms had been allowed access, one of which being the “Ms. Potter” film with Renée Zellweger. In the Highland Saga video our Caitlin writes a letter to Dougie from Canada - sitting at the same window as once Renée Zellweger did!

The Devil’s Pulpit is a very hidden-away place in the Finnich gorge near to Drymen, Stirling in Scotland. The red sandstone covered with almost fluorescent green moss and the blood-red babbling Carnock Burn create a very unique atmosphere! Various film sequences for the music videos and background films were shot here, at very varying times of day and night and under very differing weather conditions. The Devil’s Pulpitbecame widely known through the Outlander series.

The falls are part of the river Dochart near Killin in the Stirling area, or more precisely in the county of Perthshire at the West end of Loch Tay. Directly at the bridge of Dochart there is the Dochart Inn, where we we shot the indoor scenes, before doing some film-sequences outside at the waterfall itself. The pub serves really excellent food and drink, and the team stayed there overnight in the adjacent cottage. The view of the waterfall from the bridge is spectacular.

The Falls of Falloch (gaelic: Eas Falach = hidden waterfall) are a waterfall of the river Falloch at Ardlui, which mouths into Loch Lomond. The Gaelic name refers to the roaring sound of the water, which can be heard long before one reaches the waterfall itself. This place carries the nickname “Rob Roy’s bathtub”. The historic figure “Rob Roy” is portrayed in the famous novel by Sir Walter Scott, and of course in the film of the same name. 

We shot the scenes for the “Highland Cathedral” video at the grave of Robert Roy MacGregor. 

Rob Roy was born on the 7th March 1671 in Glengyle at Loch Katrine. Rob Roy is actually the anglicised  version of his name, derived from the original Gaelic „Raibert Ruadh“ (he with red hair). He was at first a cattle-dealer but then in the early 1800sbecame a cattle thief and outlaw, the “Robin Hood” of Scotland, when his main creditor, the Duke of Montrose, confiscated his land. Rob Roy fought and resisted but had to give up in 1722. He was later imprisoned and then in 1727 pardoned and released. He died on 27th December, 1734 in his house at Inverlochlarig Beg, Balquhidder.

Kilchurn Castle is a ruin on the north-eastern shore of Loch Awe, in Argyll and Bute, Scotland. Originally constructed as a five-storey Tower House, one now can see - in the almost completely restored castle - the extensions and changes which have occurred over the last 250 years.

The ruins of Inchmahome Priory, a former Augustine monastery, were also used as a backdrop for the filming of the Highland Cathedral video. We had to film on a Monday - the only day free of boats and visitors. These ruins are situated on an island of the same name in lake Menteith near Aberfoyle, Stirling in Scotland.

Glen Coe (Gaelic: Gleann Comhann) is a valley (Glen) in the Scottish Highlands. We filmed all over Glen Coe, at different places and different times of day. The valley is now part of the officially-designated “Highland” area, formerly belonging to the county of Argyll. The only village at the end of the valley is Glencoe, and the next populated place is the town of Ballachulish. The river Coe mouthsinto the bay at Loch Leven, a tributary of Loch Linnhe.

Glen Coe is popular as a hiking- and ski-resort. Several well-known films were shot here or nearby e.g. Braveheart starring Mel Gibson or the aforementioned Rob Roy film with Liam Neeson.

The impressive ruin of Dunure castle is situated at the town of Dunure in Southern Ayrshire, on a rock on the shore of the Firth of Clyde. The nearby town of Ayr was home to our team member Ian Melrose and the now amalgamated village Alloway boasts the birthplace of Scotland’s most famous poet, Robert Burns, who was born on 25th January, 1759.

The history of Dunure Harbour is closely linked to Dunure Castle. The village of Dunure first grew with the construction of a harbour in 1811. The harbour basin was driven into the rock and the entrance marked with a lighthouse. This is where we filmed the Highland Saga song The Water is Wide. After our shoot, the well-known German musician Schiller also discovered the area for one of his music videos.

At Glenfinnan Viaduct we were able to shoot impressive footage of the Jakobite Steam Train making a crossing. This train is known as the Hogwarts Express from Harry Potter. The footage was used in the video for Highland Cathedral.

Eilean Donan Castle

Donan castle (Scots Gaelic: Eilean Donnain) is situated near to the town of Dornie Eilean. The name itself means Donan’s island and refers to Saint Donnán of Eigg, a Celtic martyr from the 6th century. The castle became well-known through the film Highlander - starring Christopher Lambert und Sean Connery - which was filmed in 1986. The castle stands on the shores of Loch Duich in the western Highlands, and a picture of it provides the background for the main motif of the Highland Saga Show.