Churchill

Discover the film locations featured in this tale of one of history’s most iconic leaders.

June, 1944. Tensions are mounting for the British Prime Minister Winston Churchill in the days leading up to the infamous Allied D-Day landings in Normandy. Exhausted by years of war and terrified to repeat deadly mistakes, Churchill is reluctant to embark on a large-scale campaign that could determine the outcome of World War II. 

Director Jonathan Teplitzky based the filming for Churchill in Edinburgh and the surrounding area during spring 2016, and had previously used the city as a base while filming The Railway Man in 2012.

This thrilling war drama, starring Brian Cox, Miranda Richardson and John Slattery, is due to hit cinemas from 16 June 2017. Once you’ve seen this breathtaking story unfold on screen, explore some of the film’s locations in the Edinburgh city region. 

Calton Hill

The pillars of the National Monument on Calton Hill serves as the setting of one of the film’s iconic scenes, where Churchill meets Eisenhower for a private confrontation. Only a few minute’s walk from Princes Street, Calton Hill is home to the City Observatory and the Nelson Monument, which offers spectacular panoramic views of the city. 

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Cramond

Out towards the north-west of Edinburgh, the famous Cramond causeway also features in the film. This beautiful beach is very accessible from Edinburgh’s city centre on bus route 41. Fancy exploring further? You can walk over the causeway to Cramond Island when the tide is low.

Discover more of Edinburgh’s beautiful beaches

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Yellowcraigs

Yet another beautiful beach in the Edinburgh city region, Yellowcraigs was selected as the setting of a very emotional scene where Churchill remembers the blood spilled in the First World War. Yellowcraigs can be found in East Lothian and if you want to walk in the film’s Churchill footsteps for yourself, it can be accessed via East Coast Bus line 124/X24.

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Newhailes

Newhailes, located to the east of the city in the seaside town of Musselburgh, is the location of Churchill’s country residence where he delivers the final broadcast rallying the troops for D-Day. You can explore Newhailes for yourself with guided tours of the house and access to the estate open daily (admission charges may apply). For more details, please visit the National Trust for Scotland Newhailes information page. 

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Rutland Square

Churchill drives through Rutland Square in his car. Tucked in Edinburgh’s West End with beautiful Georgian Architecture, this charming part of town is well worth exploring. With cute cafés, independent shops and welcoming pubs and bars, Edinburgh’s West End is the perfect place to spend a leisurely afternoon. 

Read more about Edinburgh’s West End

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For further information about films shot in Edinburgh, see the city’s film office Film Edinburgh

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