The Odyssey in North East Scotland
Explore the Landscapes Behind the Legend
Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey, released 17 July 2026, used some of the most dramatic coastal scenery in North East Scotland to stand in for the ancient world of Greece. Whether you're a film fan, history enthusiast, walker or nature lover, there are plenty of places to explore connected to the film and the region's rich heritage.
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Findlater Castle
One of the principal filming locations for The Odyssey, Findlater Castle sits on a spectacular cliff-top overlooking the Moray Firth. The castle itself is unsafe to access, but visitors can enjoy stunning views from the viewpoint and coastal path.
Why visit?
Main filming backdrop for scenes involving Odysseus
Dramatic coastal scenery
Excellent photography opportunities
Access to coastal walking routes
Visitor information
Free parking nearby
Approximately 500m walk from the car park to the viewpoint
Uneven ground and cliff edges - take care
Find out more https://her.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/Monument/MAB14327
Sunnyside Beach
This wide, sandy beach featured in scenes where Odysseus and his crew came ashore. Even outside its film connection, it's a beautiful place for a walk and wildlife spotting.
Highlights
Featured in The Odyssey
Expansive sandy shoreline
Coastal wildlife and seabirds
Links to local stories, including the tale of Charlie the Hermit
Visitor information
Accessible from the coastal path between Findlater Castle and Cullen
Best explored on foot
Find out more https://her.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/Monument/MAB238
Culbin Forest and Beach (Moray)
Culbin Forest provided the setting for scenes where Odysseus and his crew entered the forest after landing on shore.
Highlights
Film location from The Odyssey
Vast forest and dune landscape
Rich wildlife
Fascinating history, including the remains of a lost settlement
Visitor information
Forestry and Land Scotland car parks available
Walking routes vary from moderate to challenging
Find out more https://her.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/Monument/MAB49971
Coastal Walk: Cullen to Portsoy
Experience a section of coastline that inspired filmmakers and has captivated visitors for generations.
Distance: Approximately 7 miles
Difficulty: Moderate to challenging
Along the route you'll discover:
Sunnyside Bay
Findlater Castle
Sandend Beach
Portsoy Harbour
Wildlife viewing opportunities
Local stories and heritage sites
Keep an eye out for dolphins, seals, seabirds and spectacular sea views.
Portsoy Harbour
A beautifully preserved historic harbour which has appeared in several productions, including Peaky Blinders and Whisky Galore!.
Don't miss
The historic harbour
Portsoy Marble shop
Coastal walks
Salmon Bothy Museum
Duff House, Banff
One of Scotland's finest Georgian country houses, featuring art collections, woodland walks and riverside trails.
Perfect for
History lovers
Art enthusiasts
Family visits
Short walks
Tarlair Lido and Pavilion
This award-winning Art Deco landmark overlooks the sea and continues to be one of the region's most distinctive attractions.
Highlights
Coastal café
Historic outdoor sea pool
Beautiful sea views
Slains Castle
Dramatically positioned on the cliffs of Cruden Bay, Slains Castle is said to have inspired Bram Stoker's Dracula.
Dunnottar Castle
One of Scotland's most iconic castles, perched on a rocky headland and featured in productions including Hamlet and Mary Queen of Scots.
The era depicted in The Odyssey broadly aligns with the Bronze Age. North East Scotland is home to some of the UK's most remarkable prehistoric monuments.
Recommended Bronze Age Sites
Burghead Pictish Fort
A Pictish promontory fort on the site now occupied by the small town of Burghead in Moray, it was one of the earliest power centres of the Picts and was three times the size of any other enclosed site in Early Medieval Scotland.
Tomnaverie Stone Circle
A beautifully restored recumbent stone circle with outstanding views across Royal Deeside.
Easter Aquhorthies Stone Circle
One of Scotland's best-preserved stone circles.
Memsie Cairn
An impressive burial cairn dating back thousands of years.
Loanhead of Daviot Stone Circle
A fascinating ceremonial site with strong links to prehistoric Scotland.
Aikey Brae and Sunhoney Stone Circles
Atmospheric monuments offering a glimpse into ancient landscapes.
The landscapes featured in The Odyssey are rich in wildlife throughout the year.
Look Out For
Marine Life
Bottlenose dolphins
Harbour porpoises
Grey seals
Occasional whale sightings
Seabirds
Guillemots
Razorbills
Kittiwakes
Fulmars
Shags and cormorants
Coastal Wildflowers
Sea pink (thrift)
Meadowsweet
Lady's bedstraw
Scurvy grass
Red campion
Bring binoculars if you have them - the coastline is one of the best places in Scotland for wildlife watching.
Near the Film Locations
Cullen Heritage Centre
Local history, fishing heritage and community stories.
Buckie & District Fishing Heritage Centre
Explore the rich maritime heritage of the Moray Firth.
Salmon Bothy, Portsoy
Discover the area's fishing traditions and coastal history.
Duff House, Banff
Historic house, galleries and exhibitions.
Museum of Banff
Learn about Banff's unique history and heritage.
Findhorn Heritage Centre
Explore the story of one of Scotland's most distinctive coastal communities.
Local libraries
Libraries in Moray Council and Aberdeenshire Council areas are running The Odyssey themed displays in summer 2026 and further local information can be found there too.
Before You Go
Follow the Scottish Outdoor Access Code
Please help protect the landscapes that make this area so special.
Respect local communities and land managers
Leave no trace
Take litter home with you
Keep dogs under control around wildlife and livestock
Stay safe around cliffs and coastal paths
Follow local signage and guidance
Many filming locations are in sensitive coastal and archaeological environments. Responsible access helps ensure they remain protected for future generations.
Film Locations & Visitor Inspiration
Visit Aberdeenshire: Discover the North-East locations and stories linked to The Odyssey
Walking & Outdoor Information
Archaeology & Heritage
Discover Your Own Odyssey
From dramatic castles and ancient stone circles to sandy beaches and forest trails, North East Scotland offers the chance to step into landscapes that feel timeless. Whether you're following in the footsteps of Odysseus or exploring thousands of years of local history, an unforgettable adventure awaits.
Name of Site | URL / Short Description | Accessibility | Featured in Film |
Culbin Sands Anti-Glider Traps - WWII | MAB3161 - CULBIN SANDS - Aberdeenshire Council Historic Environment Record | Public carpark (charged) with toilets, c2.5km to 3.5km along forest tracks to reach edge of tidal area. Rough walking, with tidal considerations, thereafter.
| No (but may form backdrop for filming of boat whilst offshore) |
Culbin Forest/Beach and site of former Village of Findhorn – Medieval/Post Medieval | MAB49971 - OLD FINDHORN - Aberdeenshire Council Historic Environment Record | Same carpark as above, c5km along forest tracks and beach. | Beach features when Odysseus and his crew land and come ashore before walking into the forest. |
Findhorn Bay, Zulu Class fishing boat wrecks – 19thC to early 20thC | MAB702 - FINDHORN BAY - Aberdeenshire Council Historic Environment Record | Same carpark as above, c5km along forest tracks and beach.
| No |
Kinloss Abbey – 12thC | MAB3905 - KINLOSS ABBEY - Aberdeenshire Council Historic Environment Record
| Carpark (charged) | No |
Burghead Fort & Well – Early Medieval (Pictish) | MAB43099 - BURGHEAD FORT - Aberdeenshire Council Historic Environment Record
MAB5044 - BURGHEAD WELL - Aberdeenshire Council Historic Environment Record
| On street parking, public carpark. Visitor Centre. | No |
Duffus Castle – 12thC | MAB4958 - DUFFUS CASTLE - Aberdeenshire Council Historic Environment Record | Carpark (charged) | No |
Covesea Skerries Lighthouse, Lossiemouth – 19thC
Royal Navy & Royal Air Force Heritage Centre
| MAB7234 - COVESEA SKERRIES LIGHTHOUSE - Aberdeenshire Council Historic Environment Record
| Carpark, c200m walk to lighthouse | No |
Tugnet Ice House and Fishery – 18thC to 19thC
WDC Scottish Dolphin Centre | MAB8934 - TUGNET ICE HOUSE AND FISHERY - Aberdeenshire Council Historic Environment Record
| Carpark. Visitor Centre, toilets. | No |
Green Castle, Portknockie – Iron Age and Early Medieval
Also, natural feature of Bow Fiddle Rock
| MAB43774 - GREEN CASTLE, PORTKNOCKIE - Aberdeenshire Council Historic Environment Record
| On street parking, short unmade rough path onto site.
View to Bow Fiddle Rock c100m along coastal path. | No |
Seatown Viaduct, and Seatown, Cullen – 19thC and 18thC to 19thC respectively | MAB14330 - SEATOWN VIADUCT, CULLEN - Aberdeenshire Council Historic Environment Record
MAB14336 - SEATOWN OF CULLEN - Aberdeenshire Council Historic Environment Record
| Large public carpark at beachfront, on street parking otherwise. | No |
Name of Site | URL / Short Description | Accessibility | Featured in Film |
Sueno’s Stone, Forres – Early Medieval (Pictish) | MAB3400 - SUENO'S STONE, FORRES - Aberdeenshire Council Historic Environment Record
| On street parking. | No |
Elgin Cathedral – 13thC onwards | MAB6713 - ELGIN CATHEDRAL - Aberdeenshire Council Historic Environment Record
| On street parking / carparks. Charged entry to the site. | No |
Spynie Palace – 13thC onwards | MAB6572 - SPYNIE PALACE - Aberdeenshire Council Historic Environment Record
| Carpark and charged entry to the site. Toilets. | No |
Birnie Parish Church – 12thC onwards (but with Early Medieval origins) | MAB6377 - BIRNIE PARISH CHURCH, BIRNIE - Aberdeenshire Council Historic Environment Record
| Carpark. | No |
Tappoch of Roseisle burial cairn – Early Bronze Age | MAB5060 - TAPPOCH OF ROSEISLE - Aberdeenshire Council Historic Environment Record
| Parking difficult as public roads/active farms. Walk along road and then farm tracks/plantation tracks c.700m
| No, but this site dates to the Bronze Age period which is when the Odyssey is set. |
Quarry Wood prehistoric settlement enclosure – Iron Age | MAB43101 - QUARRY WOOD - Aberdeenshire Council Historic Environment Record
| FLS carpark at Leggat or Brumley Brae (both charged), walk along trail marked track for c2km. | No |
Auchindoun Castle – 15thC castle on top of a potential Early Medieval fort | MAB8189 - AUCHINDOUN CASTLE - Aberdeenshire Council Historic Environment Record
| Carpark, walk along track c500m. | No |
Mortlach Kirkyard and The Battle Stone – Early Medieval (Pictish) to 19thC | MAB8187 - MORTLACH PARISH CHURCH - Aberdeenshire Council Historic Environment Record
MAB8188 - THE BATTLE STONE, MORTLACH - Aberdeenshire Council Historic Environment Record
| Carpark. | No |
Upper Lagmore (Lagmore West) stone circle and chambered cairn – Neolithic to Early Bronze Age
| MAB4471 - LAGMORE, WEST - Aberdeenshire Council Historic Environment Record
| Parking along road up to Ballindalloch Distillery, or else in the carpark for the distillery itself. Site in a field, access not easy.
| No, but this site dates to the Bronze Age period which is when the Odyssey is set. |
Knockando Woollen Mill – 19thC | MAB4679 - KNOCKANDO WOOLLEN MILL - Aberdeenshire Council Historic Environment Record
| Carpark. | No |
Name of Site | URL / Short Description | Accessibility | Featured in Film |
Findlater Castle - Medieval | MAB14327 - FINDLATER CASTLE - Aberdeenshire Council Historic Environment Record | Public carpark, c500m walk along rough track to viewpoint. Coastal path then accessed to either side towards Cullen or Sandend respectively. Note castle itself is dangerous with cliff edges.
| Matt Damon in a building with the castle as a backdrop (one of the principal scenes). |
Sunnyside Beach (West Sands) – Wreck of the Artemis (all crew survived) – 20th Century | MAB238 - ARTEMIS, SUNNYSIDE BEACH - Aberdeenshire Council Historic Environment Record | Wrecked on the rocks, little to nothing to see but site can be seen from beach. Accessed via coastal path from either Cullen or Findlater Castle direction.
| Beach features when Odysseus and his crew land and come ashore.
Name of wreck links to Goddess featured in the film. |
Portsoy Harbour – 17thC onwards | MAB14062 - PORTSOY HARBOUR - Aberdeenshire Council Historic Environment Record
| Carpark and on-street parking. Some areas charged. | No, but has been used as a film location for Peaky Blinders and Whisky Galore. |
Tarlair Outdoor Swimming Pool – Art Deco
Community Café
| MAB20419 - TARLAIR SWIMMING POOL - Aberdeenshire Council Historic Environment Record | Carpark, toilets. | No |
Cullykhan Promontory Fort – Bronze Age to Medieval | MAB23420 - CULLYKHAN - Aberdeenshire Council Historic Environment Record
| Carpark, c200m along path. Some steep sections, note dangerous cliff edges. | No |
Pennan Village – 18thC to 19thC fishing village | MAB23423 - PENNAN - Aberdeenshire Council Historic Environment Record
| Carparking limited, steep road access, not suitable for camper vans. | No, but was used as a film location for Local Hero. |
Kinnaird Head Castle Lighthouse – 16thC and 18thC
Lighthouse Museum
| MAB28527 - KINNAIRD HEAD CASTLE LIGHTHOUSE - Aberdeenshire Council Historic Environment Record
| Carpark. Museum with toilets. | No |
Memsie Burial Cairn – Bronze Age | MAB28934 - MEMSIE CAIRN - Aberdeenshire Council Historic Environment Record
| On street parking. | No, but this site dates to the Bronze Age period which is when the Odyssey is set. |
New Slains Castle – 16thC to 19thC | MAB30208 - NEW SLAINS CASTLE - Aberdeenshire Council Historic Environment Record
| Carpark in Cruden Bay, then c850m along rough path, Note dangerous cliff edges at site. | No, but was inspiration for Bram Stoker’s Dracula |
Dunnottar Castle – Early Medieval to 17thC | MAB42414 - DUNNOTTAR CASTLE - Aberdeenshire Council Historic Environment Record
| Carpark (charged) and charged site entry. | No, but has been used as a film location numerous times, including Hamlet and Mary Queen of Scots
|
Name of Site | URL / Short Description | Accessibility | Featured in Film |
Tap O’Noth Hillfort, Rhynie – Iron Age and Early Medieval (Pictish)
| MAB9970 - TAP O'NOTH FORT - Aberdeenshire Council Historic Environment Record
| Carpark, then 2.5km along path (note steep ascent). | No |
Tomnaverie Stone Circle – Bronze Age | MAB9333 - TOMNAVERIE STONE CIRCLE - Aberdeenshire Council Historic Environment Record
| Carpark, then c250m along good path. | No, but this site dates to the Bronze Age period which is when the Odyssey is set. |
Easter Aquhorthies Stone Circle – Bronze Age | MAB19076 - EASTER AQUHORTHIES STONE CIRCLE - Aberdeenshire Council Historic Environment Record
| Carpark, then c350m along farm road and then track. | No, but this site dates to the Bronze Age period which is when the Odyssey is set. |
Loanhead of Daviot Stone Circle and enclosed cremation cemetery – Bronze Age | MAB18751 - LOANHEAD OF DAVIOT STONE CIRCLE - Aberdeenshire Council Historic Environment Record
| Carpark, then c80m along path. | No, but this site dates to the Bronze Age period which is when the Odyssey is set. |
Aikey Brae Stone Circle – Bronze Age |
| Carpark, then c330m along track and path. | No, but this site dates to the Bronze Age period which is when the Odyssey is set. |
Sunhoney Stone Circle – Bronze Age | MAB17882 - SUNHONEY STONE CIRCLE - Aberdeenshire Council Historic Environment Record
| Parking at the farm, then c270m along path. | No, but this site dates to the Bronze Age period which is when the Odyssey is set. |
Dunnideer Hillfort and Castle – Iron Age and Medieval | MAB43957 - DUNNIDEER HILLFORT - Aberdeenshire Council Historic Environment Record
| Carpark, then c470m along path (note relatively steep ascent). | No |
Mither Tap Hillfort, Bennachie – Early Medieval | MAB15937 - MITHER TAP O'BENNACHIE - Aberdeenshire Council Historic Environment Record
| Carpark (charged) at the Bennachie Visitor Centre. Toilets. Walk c3km along path, note last section has a steep ascent.
| No |
Tullich Kirkyard Symbol Stones – Early Medieval (Pictish) |
| Carpark. | No |
Craigievar Castle – 16thC onwards
| MAB11863 - CRAIGIEVAR CASTLE - Aberdeenshire Council Historic Environment Record
| Carpark (charged) and entry into the castle is charged. | No, but was inspiration for the Disney logo’s pink castle |