Scotland by train, in the footsteps of our favorite heroes (Harry Potter, Indiana Jones, Rebelle...)

Written by Sophie Renassia

Published on April 15, 2025

Scotland by train, in the footsteps of our favorite heroes (Harry Potter, Indiana Jones, Rebelle...)

From Harry Potter to Outlander, Rebelle, Indiana Jones, The Da Vinci Code and Avengers, Scotland has definitely won over Hollywood. With its grandiose landscapes, architecture and legendary castles, the country is a veritable open-air film set. Would you like to discover the places where your favorite films and TV series were shot or inspired by? Well, all these iconic locations are just a stone's throw away! If you've decided to visit Scotland by train, here's something to add a touch of magic to your trip. We'll take you to the other side of the screen.

Edinburgh: from Harry Potter to Avengers to The Da Vinci Code

Harry Potter: the magic of the apprentice wizards on the streets of Edinburgh

Hogwarts fans: to immerse yourself in the Harry Potter atmosphere, head for Victoria Street, with its colorful facades, arched cobblestones and curiosity-filled shop windows. Rumour has it that it inspired J. K. Rowling to create Harry Potter's famous Chemin de Traverse!

A stone's throw away, Greyfriars Cemetery is home to a number of strange coincidences: the names of characters such as “Thomas Riddell” and “McGonagall” can be found on the graves...

But there's much more to Edinburgh than a few touristy backstreets. To feel the city's inspirational power, you need to venture beyond the Royal Mile, explore the backstreets of Dean Village, the heights of Calton Hill or the bohemian ambience of Leith. It's easy to see why so many writers, from J.K. Rowling to Robert Louis Stevenson, have been drawn to this multifaceted city.

And for those with a passion for literature, a detour to the Writers' Museum is a must. Nestled in a charming medieval courtyard a stone's throw from the Royal Mile, it pays tribute to three major figures: Robert Burns (Poems, Chiefly in the Scottish Dialect), Sir Walter Scott (Waverley) and Robert Louis Stevenson (Treasure Island, Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde). The town is also home to the Scott Monument, a 60-metre-high neo-Gothic structure erected in honour of Sir Walter Scott.

The imposing Scott Monument

And when you consider the extent to which Edinburgh has nurtured the imaginations of generations of authors, it's easy to see why it was named UNESCO's first City of Literature!

How do I get there? To find out how to get to Edinburgh by train, click here. From Paris, you can take the Eurostar to London (approx. 2h30) and then a train to Edinburgh (4-5h). Once in Edinburgh, you can easily explore the city on foot (Victoria Street is about 15 minutes from Waverley station).

One Day : Arthur’s Seat, The Vennel, New Town

Perhaps you've heard of the series One Day, adapted from the novel by David Nicholls, which follows the intertwined lives of Dexter and Emma and their reunion every July 15 for 20 years? Well, once again, the series was filmed in several iconic Edinburgh locations. It was in the courtyard of the Old College Quadrangle, for example, that the two characters met and danced the night away on their graduation night.

Arthur's Seat, an extinct volcano in Holyrood Park, also appears in the first episode, when Emma and Dexter climb it for an early-morning hike after meeting at the prom. A particularly cinematic location, with its spectacular panoramic views over Edinburgh, it has inspired not only film-makers, but also writers (such as Sir Walter Scott, who mentions it in his novels)! To get there, you'll find several trails suitable for different levels of fitness.

There's also the Georgian architecture of New Town, and more specifically the residential streets of St Vincent Street and Circus Lane, which were used as backdrops for several scenes (notably when Emma crosses St Vincent Street after meeting Dexter's parents). Or the residential neighborhood of Bruntsfield, where young Sean Connery (James Bond) went to school and authors such as Muriel Spark, JK Rowling, Sir Alexander McCall Smith and Sir Ian Rankin (who lived nearby) passed through.

The peaceful atmosphere of Edinburgh's Circus Lane

Avengers – Infinity War : action at Waverley Station

For fans of the Marvel universe, the journey begins at Waverley station, which served as the filming location for a scene in Avengers - Infinity War, where Vision (Paul Bettany) and Scarlet Witch (Elizabeth Olsen) chat on the platform about their relationship and the imminent threat of Thanos.

There were also filming locations in Edinburgh's Old Town, including the Royal Mile (used for action scenes) and Cockburn Street (used for chase scenes). A mysterious, historic atmosphere that matched the desired mood. Actor Paul Bettany commented that Edinburgh was “incredibly beautiful”!

Da Vinci Code : Rosslyn Chapel (Penicuik)

About 12 km south of Edinburgh, in the village of Roslin near Penicuik, lies one of the iconic sites of Dan Brown's Da Vinci Code novel and film: the Rosslyn Chapel. It plays a key role in the plot, as it is the site where the characters search for the Holy Grail.

©VisitScotland - Rosslyn Chapel, a place steeped in history

Founded in 1446, the chapel is famous for its mysterious sculptures, depicting religious, pagan and esoteric themes. Even today, it's full of mysteries: some believe it harbors secrets linked to the Knights Templar or the Holy Grail, and its basement is often associated with legends about hidden treasures or sacred relics!

How do I get there? From Edinburgh, you can get there:

By train + bus (45 to 60 minutes in total): train Edinburgh Waverley - Eskbank (Borders Railway line), then bus n°37 (Lothian Buses) from Eskbank in the direction of Penicuik/Deanburn to the "Roslin Hotel" stop (the chapel is just a few minutes' walk away).
By direct bus (approx. 50 minutes): bus no. 37 (Lothian Buses) from central Edinburgh (e.g. Princes Street or North Bridge) to the “Roslin Hotel” stop.

Outlander : L’Old Town d’Édimbourg

How can we talk about Edinburgh without mentioning Outlander? But if you're interested in the series' iconic locations, we'll meet you at the end of the article, in the section dedicated to Outlander (which deserved a section of its own)!

Glasgow: the lining of New York

Glasgow, a polyvalent movie set

Fun fact: with its Manhattan-like architecture and grid layout, Glasgow has often been used to represent New York! Examples include Indiana Jones, World War Z and The Batman.

How do I get there? Glasgow has two main train stations (Glasgow Central and Glasgow Queen Street). From Edinburgh station, all you need to do is take a ScotRail train (departing every 15 to 30 minutes) and you'll be there in around 1 hour, after which the city center is easily reached on foot or by public transport.

Indiana Jones, World War Z, The Batman

Yes, in the new superhero blockbuster The Batman (2022), Gotham is actually none other than... Glasgow. Filming took place in February 2020 near Glasgow Necropolis, Glasgow Cathedral and the Bridge of Sighs that links the two.

Glasgow's magnificent cathedral overlooking the city

“I wanted it to look like an American Gothic town, but one you've never been to,” the director said in an interview on BBC Scotland.

How do I get there? From the city center, you can easily reach Glasgow Cathedral and Glasgow Necropolis by bus or on foot.

World War Z, a post-apocalyptic zombie film starring Brad Pitt, transformed Glasgow into an American ruin (notably in George Square and the city center), while the latest Indiana Jones movie, starring Harrison Ford, was filmed in Glasgow city center to capture the New York of the 1960s!

Stonehaven: the castle from the Disney films

Scotland's landscapes inspire the biggest productions, and Disney is no exception! For Disney-Pixar's animated film Rebelle (Brave), Dunnottar Castle, near Stonehaven, takes center stage. Perched on a cliff overlooking the sea, with its six-century-old fortifications, mystical atmosphere and wild landscape, it is said to have inspired Princess Merida's castle.

Founded in the 14th century, the castle played a key role in the Scottish Wars of Independence, and is still home to the remains of medieval rooms. Today, it is a major stop on the Castle Trail, one of 263 castles open to the public in Aberdeenshire!

How do I get there? Stonehaven is served by train: you can get there in about 20 minutes from Aberdeen or 2h30 from Edinburgh. From the station, it's a picturesque 45-minute walk to the castle. And if you're not in the sporting mood, no problem: you can also opt for a local bus or cab for quicker access.

Bonus: in the footsteps of Outlander, from Edinburgh to Inverness via Stirling

If you're familiar with the series' success, you'll understand why it deserves a section of its own in this article! It's true that the series has done a great deal to highlight Scotland's historical heritage and landscape as a whole (not to mention its emphasis on Scottish culture, from the Gaelic language to period costumes, Highland legends and superstitions). Let's take a closer look at our must-sees to immerse yourself in the world of Outlander. Spoiler: Edinburgh isn't the only place to follow in Claire Randall's footsteps.

Edinburgh Old Town

As Outlander fans know, many scenes from the books take place in the Scottish capital. To follow in the footsteps of the series' heroes, take a stroll through the medieval streets of Old Town, including the lanes of the Royal Mile, where Claire is reunited with Jamie after twenty years - a key scene in season 3. A stone's throw from the Edinburgh Museum on the Royal Mile, you can also stroll down Bakehouse Close, an alleyway where you can recognize Jamie's print shop from the series (the stairs to the print shop are visible, but the interior is not accessible).

The famous Royal Mile, in the heart of the old town

For the record, the Royal Mile was used to recreate 18th-century Edinburgh in the series. But as it was impossible to film directly on this busy street, the production team had to digitally recreate the Royal Mile, adapting it to the historical context. However, a few scenes were shot on the real Royal Mile, particularly during night shoots!

In the Old Town, you'll find the Signet Library, a Georgian building housing the prestigious Society of Writers to Her Majesty's Signet, which was transformed into the Governor's Mansion in Jamaica in season 3. Although the library is not open to the public, the “Colonnades” restaurant is available for tea or lunch.

And beyond the capital, for a 100% Outlander visit by train, we recommend the following places:

Linlithgow Palace

While Linlithgow Palace is one of the principal residences of the Scottish monarchy (begun in the 15th century and damaged by fire in the late 18th century), it's also the setting for the entrance to Wentworth Prison, where Jamie is held in the series!

How do I get there? From Edinburgh (Waverley station), you can take a direct train to Linlithgow (about 20 minutes). From the station, it's just a ten-minute walk to the palace.

Culloden battlefield (near Inverness)

This battlefield, of crucial importance in the series, is the actual site of the final battle of the Jacobite uprising of 1746. Incidentally, the team worked closely with historians to ensure the authenticity of the scenes.

How do I get there? From Edinburgh (Waverley station), you can take a ScotRail train to Inverness (approx. 3h to 3h30 journey time). From Inverness, take a local bus to the battlefield (approx. 15 minutes). And for more info on trains in Scotland, check out the end of this article, where we'll sum it all up for you!

Stirling Castle

Although not directly used in the series, it is mentioned and inspired some of the settings, as it represents the historical importance of Scottish castles.

The majestic Stirling Castle from the outside

How do I get there? Stirling has a main railway station, easily reached from Edinburgh (50 minutes to 1 hour) or Glasgow (approx. 30 minutes). Stirling Castle and town center are just a few minutes' walk from the station.

For a complete map of Outlander locations in Scotland, click here. And for more locations, click here. Finally, whether you're a fan of magic, historical romance or superheroes, one thing's for sure: your trip to Scotland will also take you to the other side of the screen (and without ever getting on a plane or into a car)!

To find out more

This article was written in partnership with Visit Scotland and Scotrail. To find out more, visit their websites: visitscotland.com et scotrail.co.uk!

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