Scotland is no stranger to the small screen. Its beautiful beaches, ancient castles, rugged mountains, rolling hills, and picture-postcard towns and villages have starred in a whole host of television treats over the years.
From the worldwide phenomenon of Outlander to the children’s classic Balamory and the grand Edwardian period drama Downton Abbey, countless TV viewers have been enthralled by Scotland’s beauty – but nothing compares to setting sail for a big adventure inspired by these small screen hits!
Create your own unforgettable moments as you sail Scotland and make sure you share them with us on social media by tagging them with #LegendarySailing or uploading them to our gallery!
Lerwick, Shetland Isles
As seen in Shetland
Set sail for Shetland’s pretty capital as you follow in the footsteps of gruff DI Jimmy Perez, star of the titular BBC drama. Enjoy the rugged, starkly beautiful Shetland scenery and don’t worry – despite the grisly cases featured in its small screen incarnation, Lerwick is one of the safest places in the UK!
Inveraray Castle, Argyll
As seen in Downton Abbey
The spectacular scenery of Argyll took a starring role in Edwardian drama Downton Abbey’s 2012 Christmas special, with the Grantham family heading north to the home of their cousins – in real life the ancestral seat of the Dukes of Argyll. With its soaring turrets scratching the sky and an enchanting interior clad with countless antiques, Inveraray might be the closest thing you’ll ever find to a genuine fairy-tale castle!
Slains Castle, Aberdeenshire
As seen in The Crown
Netflix’s epic tale of the reign of Queen Elizabeth II features some suitably regal settings – including Slains Castle, standing in for the Queen Mother’s own Castle Mey in Caithness. Sat atop a rugged promontory overlooking the roiling North Sea, Slains’ roofless skeleton has a haunting beauty that’s well worth experiencing in person.
Aberdour Castle, Fife
As seen in Outlander
Doubling for a fictional monastery in the ever-popular time-traveling television series, Aberdour Castle is Scotland’s oldest standing castle. While much of the structure lies in ruins, its painted ceilings and walled gardens endure and make for an epic (and often eerie) adventure.
Tobermory, Mull
As seen in Balamory
There are few places in the world that welcome you in quite the same way as the pastel-coloured port of Tobermory. Mull’s capital and setting for iconic kids’ TV show Balamory, this wee town is a beautiful spot to explore, whether you’re searching for its secrets (a fortune is said to lie in the wreck of a Spanish galleon in its port!), enjoying its scenery, or sampling its fantastic food and drink.
Lewis, Outer Hebrides
As seen in Katie Morag
The largest island in the Outer Hebrides, Lewis doubled for the fictional isle of Struay in the much-loved TV series based on the classic children’s books by Mairi Hedderwick. The home of beautiful beaches, prehistoric standing stones, and incredible wildlife, it’s no surprise the series’ feisty, flame-haired star had no shortage of adventures here!
Fort Augustus, Caledonian Canal
As seen in The Loch
The haunting southern shore of Loch Ness was the perfect location for ITV’s murder mystery. While there are no grisly secrets to uncover in this pretty village in real life, it’s no less dramatic. With a pivotal role in the history of Scotland, breathtaking scenery, and the on-going mystery of its hide and seek grand champion, it’s no surprise this area has enthralled visitors since long before the days of television.
