Top Ten Filmed in Edinburgh

10. Sunshine on Leith (2012)

This heartfelt feel-good movie musical tells the story of one tight-knit family, and the three couples bound to it, as they experience the joys and heartache that punctuate all relationships. And they do it all while singing to the euphoric music of The Proclaimers.

Set and filmed in Edinburgh, locations include various locations in Leith, The Grassmarket, Calton Hill, North Bridge, The Royal Mile and an epic finale dance outside The Scottish National Gallery.

Read more in our Sunshine in Leith guide > 

9. The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie (1969)

This 1969 adaptation of Muriel Spark's famous novel won a whole host of awards, including an Oscar for Maggie Smith, who won Best Actress for her role of Miss Brodie. A headstrong young teacher in a private school in 1930s Edinburgh, she ignores the curriculum and influences her impressionable 12 year old charges with her over-romanticised view of the world.

Primarily filmed at Edinburgh Academy on Henderson Row, it also showcased lots of other Edinburgh locations including Greyfriars Churchyard, Dalmeny House and Barnbougle Castle. 

8. Trainspotting (1996) & T2: Trainspotting (2017)

Based on the novel of the same name by Irvine Welsh, Trainspotting stars Ewan McGregor, Ewen Bremner, Jonny Lee Miller, Kevin McKidd, Robert Carlyle and Kelly Macdonald, and follows Renton (McGregor) as he tries to clean up and escape the world of drugs.

The now infamous opening sequence 'Choose Life' was filmed on location in Princes Street, Calton Road and Hanover Street, and was recreated 20 years later in the sequel, T2: Trainspotting.

Walk in the footsteps of Renton Spud & Begbie in our guide to T2 Trainspotting >

7. Belgravia (2020)

From the pen of Julian Fellowes, Belgravia is a "story of secrets and dishonour amongst the upper echelon of London society in the 19th century" and stars Tamsin Greig, Harriet Walter and Philip Glenister.

(Image Credit: Film Edinburgh)

To the delight of filmmakers, the city’s Moray Place was very similar to the Belgrave Square of the early 19th century, with few changes needed other than the colour tone of the stones and porticos, both of which were added post-production.

The City Chambers and Parliament Square feature as London Streets.  Manderston near Duns in the Scottish Borders was used in some the family’s home scenes and Hopetoun House at South Queensferry provided interior locations for an 1815 ball.

6. The Princess Switch: Switched Again (2020) and The Princess Switch 3: Romancing the Star (2021)

(Image Credit: Netflix)

Sequels to The Princess Switch, starring Vanessa Hudgens, these popular festive feel-good family comedies follow Duchess Margaret as she unexpectedly inherits the throne to Montenaro.

Both films involved some spectacular scenery, country houses and castles in and around Edinburgh including The Dome on George Street, a market scene in Parliament Square, Hopetoun House, Gosford House in East Lothian, Manderston in the Scottish Borders and Barnbougle Castle.

Discover more in our guide to The Princess Switch: Switched Again and The Princess Switch 3: Romancing the Star > 

5. Outlaw King (2018)

Starring Chris Pine, Outlaw King opened the 2018 Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) and premiered in Edinburgh ahead of its Netflix release.

The crew spent 7 days filming in Edinburgh, but over a month of preparation saw the production team build a medieval village around Craigmillar Castle, The castle, which also features in Outlander season 3, appears alongside scenes shot at Seacliff Beach in East Lothian.

Learn more about this historical drama in our guide to The Outlaw King > 

4. Outlander Season 3 (2017)

Adapted from the best-selling book series by Diana Gabaldon, Outlander follows the story of Claire Randall, a nurse who travels back in time to 1743 from her native 1945.

For the first time in the series, locations in the city of Edinburgh make an appearance in season 3: the lecture theatre at Summerhall, Craigmillar Castle, Bakehouse Close and Tweeddale Court in Edinburgh's Old Town and the Splendid Signet Library.

Take a step back in time and learn about this popular drama in our guide to Outlander > 

Capture the spirit of Claire and Jamie’s story and explore the Jacobite Edinburgh of the Outlander novels with Mercat Tour’s Edinburgh Outlander Experience Tour.

3. The Da Vinci Code (2005)

The highly anticipated adaptation of the Dan Brown novel, The Da Vinci Code follows Professor Robert Langdon as he tries to unravel the mysteries of a chilling murder in Paris.

Starring Tom Hanks and Audrey Tautou, this gripping film takes the audience on a quest around the world as Langdon uncovers some extraordinary secrets that shake the world of religion forever.

A key scene in this movie is filmed at Rosslyn Chapel, which can be found just to the south of the city.

2. Avengers: Infinity War (2018)

The nineteenth film in one of the world’s biggest and beloved movie franchises, Avengers: Infinity War stars Robert Downey Jr, Chris Evans, Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson, Mark Ruffalo, Anthony Mackie, Elizabeth Olsen and Paul Bettany.

Filmed partly on location in Edinburgh over 7 weeks, Avengers: Infinity War was the largest and most complex shoot ever to film in Edinburgh’s historic Old Town and city centre and the film’s biggest on-location shoot. The Edinburgh scenes featured in the film include an epic battle on the Royal Mile, on the roof of St Giles’ Cathedral and in Waverley Train Station complete with explosions and a reunion of some of the film’s central characters.

Did you know - Edinburgh was the only real location used in the world. All other scenes and shots were filmed in the studio!

Explore more in our guide to Avengers: Infinity War > 

1. Fast & Furious 9 (2021)

(Image Credit: Universal Pictures)

The ninth chapter in the saga that has endured for almost two decades, FF9 sees the return of Dominic Toretto (Vin Diesel) and co as they once again join forces to stop a world-shattering plot led by the most skilled assassin and high-performance driver they’ve ever encountered: a man who also happens to be Dom and Letty’s long lost brother, Jakob (John Cena). The non-stop action hurtles around the globe - from London to Tokyo and from Central America to Edinburgh.

Fast & Furious 9 spent 19 days filming in 11 different areas of Edinburgh city centre in September 2019. Dare devil stunts and car chases were filmed in iconic areas of the city including Waterloo Place, George Street, Cockburn Street, Victoria Street, Royal Mile, Melville Street and the National Museum of Scotland.

Strap yourself and explore more about Fast & Furious 9 > 

Download the Edinburgh Film Map and discover your favourite film locations in the capital > 

Edinburgh has been home to an astounishing range of writers, artists and inventors - discover more in our guide to Fame and Fortune in Edinburgh >