Movies and/or TV Shows to watch before visiting Scotland?

Here is the list from RS

Well, there are some. Funny that I missed that in my RS readings.
Any favorites in the movies/shows category?

Trainspotting is a classic, but may not be too representative of the "Scotland" that tourists dream about. Let's just say it shows a grittier side to urban Edinburgh than perhaps the local tourist board would approve of lol!

PS" anyone who says Braveheart is instantly disqualified 🤣

I though Hamish MacBeth was a fun show. Not sure how much you’ll learn but it’s good practice for the accent.

Films: Local Hero, Braveheart, Rob Roy, Whiskey Galore, and Comfort and Joy.

TV Series: Deadwater Fell, Shetland, Outlander, Men with Kilts, Loch Ness.

EDIT: guess I’m disqualified. Historic accuracy? Ha.
I was merely listing projects filmed in Scotland.

I'll add:
Outlaw King
Robert The Bruce

Here are three priceless films ( not on the RS ) " I Know Where I'm Going " ( 1945 ) with Wendy Hiller and Roger Livesey , a charming tale from Powell and Pressburger - https://youtu.be/oha_ww5Jexg " Tunes of Glory " ( 1960 ) ( filmed at Stirling Castle )with Alec Guiness and John Mills . Two Scottish Colonels Vye for the hearts and minds of the men in the battalion at the end of WWII .- https://youtu.be/nS4HrDImcn4 and last but not least , " Trio " ( 1950 ) Three stories by W Somerset Maugham , part three starts at 40:00 - " Sanatorium " Patients at a TB Sanatorium in the north of Scotland . try to make sense of their lives and what the future holds for them . https://youtu.be/SweR7qwEMxo While only this third part pertains to Scotland , the whole film is brilliant , you should watch all of it , you won't be sorry . The links are all the complete films , so you won't have to go on a search

Hi, DrToonz,

Here are some movie recommendations, mainly from my personal collection:

"Sunshine on Leith"*
"Local Hero"*
"Whisky Galore" (1949)*
"Whisky Galore" (2016)
"Angels' Share"
"Comfort and Joy"*
"Breaking the Waves"
"Aberdeen"
"Edge of the World"
"Red Road"
"Bill Douglas Trilogy"
"Tunes of Glory"
"Ae Fond Kiss"
"American Cousins"*
"Hold Back the Night"*
"Edie"*
"Rob Roy"
"Restless Natives"*
"Orphans"
"Rocket Post"*
"Geordie" (Alternate title: "Wee Geordie")
"Chariots of Fire"
"Dear Frankie"*
"Neds"
"Hallam Foe"
"The Debt Collector"
"Ratcatcher"
"Sweet Sixteen"
"My Name Is Joe"*
"Stone of Destiny"*
"Sunset Song"
"Gregory's Girl"
"Filth"
"Shallow Grave"
"Young Adam"
"The Vanishing"
"The Outlaw King"
"Wicker Man" (1973)

etc.

Of these, "Whisky Galore", "Bill Douglas Trilogy", "Edie", "Rob Roy", "Outlaw King", "Chariots of Fire", "Stone of Destiny", "Rocket Post", and "The Vanishing" are based on actual events.

Mike (Auchterless)

• = Personal favourites

p.s.: I'd probably have put "Sunset Song" in there as a personal favourite, if it hadn't been filmed mainly in New Zealand, and had an English actress playing the role of Chris Guthrie.

Ha ha ha, Carlos! Yes, indeed. I still remember when it came out. I was appalled that it won Best Picture. I knew little about Scotland at that point, but even I knew there were a lot of historical inaccuracies. And it was just a terrible movie in general.

Mardee, I always say Braveheart is to Scotland what The Mummy is to Egypt.

A couple of older TV shows streaming on Prime

Look for Dr. Findlay . A TV series about the life of 2 doctors in rural Scotland in the 1940’s, based on stories by A.j. Cronin.

Rebus, great crime series set in Edinburgh based in the books by Ian Rankin

Rick only lists the 1935 original of 39 Steps, not the 2008 re-make, although as with many remakes (Whisky Galore included) I personally think the original was infinitely better.
The TV programme "Shetland" (now multiple series and a new one later this year) showcases the scenery and character of the islands superbly. Leaving aside that there seem to be more murders per capita than in New York, it is also refreshingly correct in the locations it uses vis a vis the story. Nothing stage set here (externally), no using somewhere else as it's cheaper and easier to get to. The Police Station on TV really is Lerwick Police Station. The same applies when it goes to Glasgow or elsewhere on the mainland. They are where they say they are.

Wild Rose (2018)

For a light hearted approach to history, try "Horribe Histories Scotland". Although geared at the kids who don't like history, it can also be read and enjoyed by adults. It covers all the gory and gruesome bits and is historically accurate.

We love "Local Hero." You can visit some of the locations: Ben's Beach and Sennen. I enjoyed "Monarch of the Glen" although DH did not. We also enjoyed "Hamish MacBeth" and "Shetland."

And when you just want a good laugh and to practice your Scots, try Still Game on Netflix. The show is the hilarious story of two old friends, now pensioners, in Glasgow. At the very least it will expose you to the strong Glasgow accented English.

It probably never made it to the US, but Scottish ITV used to have 'Take the High Road'-(1980 to 2003)- a daily soap opera set at Luss, Loch Lomond.

Also the 2012 Christmas special of Downton Abbey was filmed at Inverary Castle.

Why has no-one mentioned the Children's TV program- Balamory set at Tobermory, Mull?

My wife planned our trip to Scotland last year based on Outlander. You'll even find specific tours dedicated to the book and TV series. It's taken Scottish tourism to unprecedented heights. https://media.visitscotland.org/posts/outlander-effect-to-support-tourism-recovery

I almost forgot this ( perish the thought ) The designer and architect , Charles Rennie Mackintosh , occupies a unique place in Scottish culture and history . The story of his work and life is in this 45 minute documentary ( in three parts ) here , Its a must , particularly if you visit Glasgow - https://youtu.be/LNrV6vbu4os

I don’t know about the OP but I’m getting lots more ideas from this. Thanks, you all! And I love the idea of watching that documentary on Charles Rennie Mackintosh. That sounds pretty fascinating.

On YouTube there is a good series 'Scottish History Tours' by the comedian Bruce Fummey. Comedy is subjective, but I find them interesting.

Mentioned above is 'Take The High Road' (later just 'High Road', from STV. Some of these are now on the UK BritBox so might be on the North American versions as well. There are also a few episodes of Taggart.

There have been a few adaptations of Kidnapped by Robert Louis Stevenson over the years, but sometimes they are difficult to find. A BBC Radio adaptation is on Audible UK.

As for Braveheart, zheesh. Historian Alex Von Tunzelman had a column, later put into a book, where she scored historic films as if they were student essays. The book is called 'Reel History' and is very funny, one film she said 'it even makes Braveheart look accurate'

On Braveheart her review (accuracy fail) had a line of 'oh dear, and we are only three minutes in'.

As an aside, Braveheart historically was King Robert I, not Wallace.

"The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie" film.
Not so much for history or scenery (though it was filmed in Edinburgh) but for some of the affected accents used back in the era the film was set in.
And the incomparable Maggie Smith, of course!

"Still Game" is hilarious, I agree.

"Shallow Grave" still gives me the creeps, as I lived in flats in Edinburgh just like the one in the film.

Two Doors Down. Surely The Greatest Scottish Sitcom Ever.

Susan Calman, a wonderful Scottish comedian, did a few series called "Secret Scotland" where she visits numerous places in Scotland. Many episodes can be found on Youtube.

I don’t know about the OP but I’m getting lots more ideas from this.

I agree with Mardee, thanks for all the great recommendations. I’m headed to Edinburgh in May.

Is Macintosh the guy that invented that species of apple? Like the Earl of Sandwich? Or Louis Pasteur?

A Canadian came up with the MacIntosh apple. https://www.canadashistory.ca/explore/arts-culture-society/the-mystery-of-mr-mcintosh-s-apple

On another note, an ancestor of mine came up with Fife Wheat. https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/red-fife-wheat#:~:text=courtesy%20Sharon%20Rempel).-,Red%20Fife%20is%20a%20bread%20wheat%20(Triticum%20aestivum)%20variety%20that,wheat%20in%20the%20mid%2D1800s.

Both people originally from Scotland.