Scotland has always been a land of stories, but in recent years it has also become a land of screens. From sweeping Highland romances to gritty island mysteries, television has showcased Scotland’s beauty to millions of viewers worldwide. Here are some of the most famous TV series filmed in Scotland — with the actors who brought them to life and the real places you can visit…
From Outlander to Shetland, the shows and stars that put Scotland on the small screen
Outlander – CaitrĂona Balfe & Sam Heughan
No series has done more for Scottish tourism than Outlander. CaitrĂona Balfe stars as Claire Randall, a time-travelling nurse, while Sam Heughan plays Jamie Fraser, the Highland warrior who wins her heart.
Filming has spanned the country: Doune Castle stands in as Castle Leoch, Falkland in Fife appears as 1940s Inverness, and Culross transforms into the fictional Cranesmuir. Each location is steeped in history, giving the series an authenticity that fans can step into.
👉 Related reading: Why Is Doune Castle in So Many Films?
Shetland – Douglas Henshall & Ashley Jensen
The BBC crime drama Shetland has brought the remote northern isles to screens around the world. Douglas Henshall portrayed Detective Inspector Jimmy Pérez for seven seasons before handing the reins to Ashley Jensen.
The series captures the stark beauty of the Shetland Islands, with the harbour town of Lerwick and dramatic coastal landscapes serving as key backdrops. For many, the scenery is just as compelling as the mysteries being solved.
👉 Related reading: Is Shetland Worth the Journey?
The Crown – Claire Foy, Olivia Colman & Imelda Staunton
Netflix’s The Crown has highlighted Scotland’s royal connections. Claire Foy, Olivia Colman, and Imelda Staunton each portrayed Queen Elizabeth II during different decades of her reign.
Instead of filming at Balmoral Castle, producers used Ardverikie Estate in the Cairngorms as a stand-in. The surrounding lochs and forests perfectly recreated the royal family’s Highland retreat, showing how much Balmoral shaped the monarchy’s private life.
👉 Related reading: Who Owns Balmoral Castle Now?
Monarch of the Glen – Alastair Mackenzie & Richard Briers
Running from 2000 to 2005, Monarch of the Glen introduced international audiences to the charm of rural Scotland. Alastair Mackenzie played Archie MacDonald, torn between modern life and his Highland heritage, while Richard Briers delivered a memorable performance as his eccentric father.
Filming centred on Ardverikie House by Loch Laggan, the same estate later used in The Crown. Its towers and wooded setting gave viewers a picture of Highland life that was both grand and intimate.
👉 Related reading: The Cairngorms National Park – A Special Place
Rebus – John Hannah & Ken Stott
Based on Ian Rankin’s best-selling novels, Rebus brought Edinburgh’s darker side to the screen. John Hannah first played Detective Inspector John Rebus, before Ken Stott gave the character his defining portrayal.
Filming made rich use of Edinburgh’s Old and New Towns, capturing the pubs, closes, and tenements that inspired Rankin’s stories. Today, Rebus walking tours let visitors trace the detective’s haunts through Scotland’s capital.
👉 Related reading: 20 Things to Do in Edinburgh – Scotland Travel Guide
Case Histories – Jason Isaacs
Case Histories adapted Kate Atkinson’s novels, starring Jason Isaacs as private investigator Jackson Brodie. Edinburgh again took centre stage, with scenes shot around Calton Hill, Arthur’s Seat, and the Georgian streets. The city’s distinctive look gave Isaacs’s brooding character an unforgettable backdrop.
👉 Related reading: Where Is Arthur’s Seat?
Dept. Q – Matthew Goode & Kelly Macdonald
One of Scotland’s newest TV exports, Dept. Q is a crime-thriller series adapted from Danish novels by Jussi Adler-Olsen. Matthew Goode leads as DCI Carl Morck, with Kelly Macdonald (famous for Trainspotting) playing Dr. Rachel Irving. The cast also includes Chloe Pirrie, Alexej Manvelov, and Jamie Sives.
Filmed in Edinburgh, the show uses the city’s streets and historic buildings to build atmosphere. Scenes set on a fictional island were shot at Burntisland Docks in Fife, adding another layer of authentic Scottish scenery.
Scotland on the Small Screen
From historical romances to modern crime thrillers, Scotland’s landscapes don’t just serve as backdrops — they shape the stories being told. Whether it’s following Claire and Jamie through time in Outlander, unravelling mysteries in Shetland, or stepping into Edinburgh’s grit with Dept. Q, these shows highlight why Scotland is a natural star of the small screen.
👉 Read more:- What Famous Films Were Made in Scotland?
