The Loch Ness Monster isn't the only mythological creature associated with Scotland. Although the warm winds, Greek gods, and sparkling shores that became the centerpieces of Christopher Nolan's film «"Odyssey", While they may seem straight out of the Mediterranean, much of the action actually took place right on the coast of the Moray Firth in Scotland.
Experts on the epic saga and its latest film adaptation are well acquainted with the Turkish ruins and Ionian Islands, which served as stops like Troy and Ithaca on Odysseus's ten-year voyage. But the coastal cliffs and pine forests of northeast Scotland featured in the film are less well-known. To help fans navigate this route, local Scottish councils have created a handy map highlighting key filming locations in the region.
From the island home of the sorceress Circe to a forest filled with ferocious giants, these are the real-life Scottish locations featured in the film. Imagine these castle ruins and secluded beaches as a way to embrace Odysseus's philosophy of off-the-beaten-path travel—without the emotional upheaval and loss of life.
- Findlater Castle, Aberdeenshire
- Sunnyside Beach, Aberdeenshire
- Culbin Forest, Moray
- Portsoy, Aberdeenshire
Findlater Castle, Aberdeenshire
These 14th-century ruins, perched on a sheer cliff 15 meters above the North Sea, represent Aeaea. Fans of the film will recognize Findlater Castle and the surrounding rocky cliffs as the filming location for the famous scene where Circe turns Odysseus's crew into pigs.
Having survived Viking attacks in the 13th century and a siege by Mary Stuart, this seaside fortress is no stranger to epic, dramatic events. Although modern mortals are forbidden from ascending Findlater Castle, the nearby clifftop viewing platform offers breathtaking (and, more importantly, safe) views of the Moray Firth. It's the perfect spot to admire a Scottish sunset without fear of turning into a pig.
Sunnyside Beach, Aberdeenshire
«The Odyssey wouldn't have happened «Odyssey» without a few shipwrecks. The secluded sandy beaches of Sunnyside, located at the foot of Findlater Castle, helped recreate the scene where Odysseus and his crew disembark. Situated along the Cullen Coast, Sunnyside is home to wildlife, pristine white sand, and—once upon a time—a real-life World War I hermit named Charlie.
You can reach the shore along the same path that leads to the Findlater Castle lookout. Accessible only by a steep cliffside path, Sunnyside is one of the most pristine and tranquil corners of northeast Scotland. Just be sure to wear sturdy shoes for the descent; negotiating this slippery path is challenging enough, and you certainly shouldn't be upset by the actions of the sea god.
Culbin Forest, Moray
When they first arrive at this coastal pine forest, it seems as if it could breathe life into Odysseus and his crew. However, the forest parts, revealing enormous armored warriors known as Laestrygonians.
The real Culbin Forest on the Moray Firth coast was never inhabited by man-eating giants, but it does have its own disturbing history. Although the pine forest suffered the most from a sandstorm in 1694—and perhaps from a witch's curse—it remains a recreational destination today. There are numerous opportunities for birdwatching and hiking, and sandy paths lead to panoramic views of the water.
Portsoy, Aberdeenshire
Among the many scenes in the harbor in «Odyssey »Portsoy Harbor serves as one of the film's most picturesque backdrops. If its 17th-century stone piers and embankment seem a little familiar, that's because they've also served as filming locations for TV series «Peaky Blinders» и «"Whiskey in abundance!"
Portsoy is also the end point of the 7-mile coastal path, which starts in Cullen and passes Sunnyside Bay and Findlater Castle.