Edinburgh Film & TV Locations: A Cinematic Journey
Edinburgh Film & TV Locations: A Cinematic Journey
Few cities in the world can rival Edinburgh for its dramatic skyline, moody atmosphere, and intriguing blend of ancient history and modern flair. It’s no wonder that filmmakers-from indie directors to major Hollywood studios-are repeatedly drawn to Scotland’s capital.
Whether it’s the gothic spires, cobbled streets, or sweeping Georgian terraces, the city just looks and feels like a film set. Let us take you on a cinematic journey to uncover the most famous Edinburgh film and TV locations. Dickins frequently provides accommodation for the cast and crew when filming in Edinburgh. It’s great fun to play a small part in all the excitement. Let’s start by delving into what makes the city an irresistible home to countless screen productions.
A City Built for Stories
A Brief Historical Backdrop
Edinburgh’s story stretches back over a thousand years. Castle Rock, upon which Edinburgh Castle sits, is an extinct volcano formed millions of years ago. Providing a naturally defensive position, the rock was used as a fortified settlement long before the Castle was built. From its Iron Age roots, the city evolved into a medieval stronghold, then blossomed during the Enlightenment into a centre of art, philosophy, and science. This layered history lives on in its streets and no one that visits can fail to feel it. A city of storytelling, history and mystery, our stunning and unique city of Edinburgh has long been an inspiration to filmmakers, both on the silver screen and in television productions.
Edinburgh Castle (Photo: @thisedinburghcitygirl)
Inspirational Architecture
From the moment you step off the train at Waverley Station and out onto Waverley Bridge, you can immediately see why it’s such an inspiring city. With its layers of architecture, it’s a city of striking, dramatic contrasts. Discover dark, mysterious Old Town with its tangle of narrow wynds and closes, its atmospheric cobbled streets steeped in stories of its medieval past. Stroll through the grand, sweeping streets and facades of Georgian New Town built in the 18th century. With its symmetry and neoclassical elegance it has been home to artists, scholars, writers, engineers, scientists and inventors. Inspiration is all around.
These two sides of the city give Edinburgh its distinctive personality and provides filmmakers with endless visual contrasts. Picture Edinburgh’s iconic skyline with the towering Scott Monument, mighty Edinburgh Castle atop volcanic Castle Rock and atmospheric New College-our very own Hogwarts. All this set against the magnificent natural backdrops of Arthur’s Seat, Calton Hill and The Pentland Hills. And the buzz of city living continues all the way down to the Shore in Leith, Edinburgh’s vibrant and creative harbour area.
Architecture as a Character
Edinburgh’s buildings are more than atmospheric backdrops-they bring a production to life.
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Gothic drama: St Giles’ Cathedral, New College and the Scott Monument bring a haunting, dramatic quality to any scene.
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Georgian grandeur: The symmetry and elegance of Charlotte Square, Moray Place and Dean Terrace make them perfect locations for period dramas.
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Modern grit: Post-industrial neighbourhoods like parts of Leith and Fountainbridge give filmmakers urban grit.
Cockburn Street (Photo: @thisedinburghcitygirl)
Culture and Atmosphere
In addition to its dramatic architecture, Edinburgh is a city alive with storytelling. it’s home to the world’s largest arts festival, the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and the Edinburgh International Festival. Additionally the Edinburgh International Film Festival is held here annually and it was named as UNESCO’s first City of Literature.
With its deep cultural connections, there’s a sense that every street corner and building has a story.
A misty New College (Photo: @thisedinburghcitygirl)
Edinburgh’s Most Iconic Film & TV Locations
1. Trainspotting (1996 & 2017)
Perhaps the most iconic film set in Edinburgh, Trainspotting opens with Ewan McGregor’s character sprinting down Princes Street, Edinburgh’s main shopping street. The film’s gritty realism is echoed in the darker corners of the city, such as parts of Leith, where much of the story is set. In T2 Trainspotting, the sequel returns to several iconic Edinburgh filming locations.
Must-visit locations: Princes Street and the Royal Mile for a taste of the original chase scene energy after Renton and Spud have stolen from John Menzies Bookstore and bolt to escape the police; Arthur’s Seat for the panoramic views where Renton takes Spud on a hike to help him kick his habit.
Why not stay in Leith where our home from home with stunning views Shore View is located?
2. The Buccaneers (2023 & 2025 Apple TV+)
This show centred on five wealthy young American women in the 1870s who travel to London to find husbands.
Must-visit locations: Drummond Place, East Claremont Street and Northumberland Street which were transformed to represent 1870s London for the show’s second season, with crews adding period props like shop signage and horse-drawn carriages.
Why not stay in Northumberland Street itself where our magnificent, Georgian The Townhouse is located?
Northumberland Street transformed for The Buccaneers (Photo: Dickins)
3. Outlander (2014-2026 TV Series)
While much of Outlander is filmed across Scotland, Edinburgh features prominently in Season 3, especially in the episode where Jamie runs a print shop on Carfax Close, off the Royal Mile. The city’s authentic Old Town look required very little set dressing-just period costumes and some horse-drawn carts. The final season of Outlander will be Season 8, set to premiere in early 2026.
Must-visit locations: Bakehouse Close, off the Royal Mile-one of the best-preserved 16th-century streets in Edinburgh and The Signet Library-this library located in Parliament Square was used for filming ballroom scenes in the series.
Why not stay in Old Fishmarket Close where our urban, architect-designed home from home The Penthouse is located?
Bakehouse Close, the filming location for Carfax Close
4. Avengers: Infinity War (2018)
One of the Marvel film’s key battles took place in Edinburgh’s Waverley Station and the Royal Mile. The fight between Vision, Scarlet Witch, and Thanos’s minions unfolds amid kebab shops and ancient alleys, blending the modern with the historic.
Must-visit location: Cockburn Street—a curved, photogenic street that features prominently in the action scenes, most notably the unique building that now houses The Milkman at the top of the street was featured as The Hunsu Kebab House.
5. Rebus (2000-2007 TV Series)
Set and filmed in Edinburgh, the stubborn and maverick Detective Inspector John Rebus pursues his investigations through the city’s timeless streets and into its darkest corners.
Must-visit locations: The Meadows, Grassmarket, Fleshmarket Close and The Oxford Bar, a pub that served as inspiration for novelist Ian Rankin’s books.
Why not stay just a few minutes walk from the Oxford Bar in our elegant Albyn Place home from home?
6. One Day (2024 Netflix Series)
This romantic drama used Edinburgh as a backdrop for many poignant moments. The University of Edinburgh, Arthur’s Seat, and various cafés around the Southside serve as perfect locations to capture the couple’s romance.
Must-visit locations: Old College Quad is where Dex and Emma originally meet; they climb Arthur’s Seat the morning after the night before where they get a panoramic view over the city. And Moray Place is where Dex introduces Emma to his parents.
Why not stay in Moray Place itself where our magnificent, A-listed Georgian home from home The Jewel Box is located?
Views from Arthur’s Seat in Netflix Series One Day (Photo: Netflix)
7. The Illusionist (2010)
This hand-drawn animated film by Sylvain Chomet is a captivating love letter to 1950s Edinburgh. It beautifully captures the spirit of the city—from the Playhouse to George Street, with a wonderful eye for detail. Sylvain and his studio, rented their living and studio space from Dickins.
Must-visit locations: Victoria Street—the iconic, colourful, curving street in Old Town where Alice and the Illusionist look for a restaurant; George Street where Alice looks at a dress in a shop window.
Why not stay in North Castle Street where our stylish, contemporary home from home Castle Suite Apartment is located?
8. Department Q (2025 TV Series)
This sharp Netflix crime thriller series, set and filmed in Edinburgh, brilliantly shows off the city’s streets and landmarks.
Must-visit locations: Castle Terrace, Advocate’s Close, Warriston’s Close, Signet Library, Parliament Square, Stafford Street and many more…
Why not stay in the West End where our smart Walker Street home from home, right by Stafford Street is located?
Dept Q headquarters aka Codebase on Castle Terrace (Photo: Dickins)
Explore It Yourself
If you want to walk in the footsteps of your favourite characters, there are plenty of film location tours that take you through key sites. Or you can simply build your own itinerary. Just let us know if you’d like some tips.
Final Take
Edinburgh is a living, breathing film set, rich with texture, history, and drama. From gritty realism, through period dramas to sweeping fantasy, it offers directors an authentic canvas for storytelling. Whether you’re a film buff or just someone who appreciates a city with an abundance of soul, Edinburgh will leave you feeling like you’ve stepped into a movie.
See our instagram post for where to find some of Edinburgh’s most cinematic corners here. And if you’d like to visit Edinburgh to immerse yourself in these photogenic streets, take a look at some of the unique homes from home that we offer. You can live like a local in Edinburgh and stay near these Edinburgh film locations, whether it be for a city break near Edinburgh Castle or a corporate stay in New Town Edinburgh, on our website here.
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