Scotland


<p>You’d expect Ithaca. Perhaps Sicily. Somewhere that’s all whitewashed villages, olive groves and impossible shades of Mediterranean blue.</p>



<p>You probably wouldn’t expect Buckie.</p>



<p>And yet for <em>The Odyssey</em>, his adaptation of Homer’s ancient epic about hero Odysseus and the long, dangerous journey home after war, Christopher Nolan headed north. Instead of leaning into the obvious mythology of Greece, the director behind <em>Oppenheimer</em>, <em>Inception</em> and <em>Dunkirk</em> chose one of Scotland’s most dramatic stretches of coastline as the setting for part of his biggest cinematic undertaking yet.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<iframe loading="lazy" title="The Odyssey | Official New Trailer" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/f_bKjZeJBBI?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>
</div></figure>



<p>Over several weeks of filming, the Moray Firth became an unlikely Hollywood outpost. Matt Damon, Tom Holland, Zendaya and Anne Hathaway all descended on the northeast coast while cameras rolled between ruined castles, working harbours, forests and windswept beaches. At one point, even the world’s largest modern Viking ship reportedly arrived in Scottish waters to stand in as an ancient Greek war vessel.</p>



<p>We&#8217;ve turned the film&#8217;s locations into a proper Muddy day out, because if Hollywood royalty can be persuaded north for a few weeks of filming, the least we can do is follow them with a flask of coffee and a decent pair of boots.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-moray-gt-mediterranean">Moray &gt; Mediterranean</h2>



<p>This stretch of coastline may not do postcard-pretty in <em>exactly</em> the same way Greece does. But it is spot on for a story about storms, endurance and getting spectacularly lost on the way home.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/scotland/wp-content/uploads/sites/29/2026/07/Odyssey-1024x683.jpg" alt="Odyssey" class="wp-image-4929" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/scotland/wp-content/uploads/sites/29/2026/07/Odyssey-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/scotland/wp-content/uploads/sites/29/2026/07/Odyssey-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/scotland/wp-content/uploads/sites/29/2026/07/Odyssey-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/scotland/wp-content/uploads/sites/29/2026/07/Odyssey.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photograph: Universal Pictures</figcaption></figure>



<p>Steep cliffs drop straight into the North Sea. Villages appear out of nowhere in the folds of the land. Beaches stretch out under skies that seem too big for them, and the weather can flip the entire mood of a scene in the time it takes to walk from the car park to the sand. The Moray coast is rugged, which is exactly the note Homer&#8217;s world needs. This was never going to be a neat, sunlit myth. It&#8217;s a story about people pushed past what they thought they could survive. Turns out the north-east of Scotland looks like somewhere where that could happen.</p>



<p>It&#8217;s not Nolan&#8217;s first Scottish outing. He shot sequences for <em>The Dark Knight</em> Rises in the Highlands and Cairngorms back in 2011, drawn north for much the same reasons directors keep coming back: dramatic scenery, changeable light and locations that already look half like film sets before anyone&#8217;s turned a camera on. What feels different this time is how little he&#8217;s disguising the place. Moray isn&#8217;t standing in for somewhere else: its wildness is doing narrative work.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-make-your-own-odyssey">Make your own Odyssey</h2>



<p>From Inverness you can check out all the filming locations (and more) in a single, satisfying day, meaning you can be back for a proper dinner.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="681" height="1024" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/scotland/wp-content/uploads/sites/29/2025/09/Torrish-Nov-3-1-1-681x1024.jpg" alt="Torrish at Ness Walk" class="wp-image-657" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/scotland/wp-content/uploads/sites/29/2025/09/Torrish-Nov-3-1-1-681x1024.jpg 681w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/scotland/wp-content/uploads/sites/29/2025/09/Torrish-Nov-3-1-1-200x300.jpg 200w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/scotland/wp-content/uploads/sites/29/2025/09/Torrish-Nov-3-1-1-768x1154.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/scotland/wp-content/uploads/sites/29/2025/09/Torrish-Nov-3-1-1.jpg 998w" sizes="(max-width: 681px) 100vw, 681px" /></figure>



<p>If you need somewhere to stay in the city, <a href="https://www.nesswalk.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ness Walk</a> is your spot for riverside luxury, while <a href="https://www.rocpool.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Rocpool Reserve</a> offers something more boutique-y. Stock up on coffee from award-winning <a href="https://birch.coffee/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Birch</a> and pastries from Muddy Award winner <a href="https://www.xoko.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">XOKO Bakehouse</a> and hit the road.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-burghead-and-culbin-forest-the-trail-begins">Burghead and Culbin Forest – the trail begins</h3>



<p>Head east and you&#8217;re straight into where the film&#8217;s Scottish story really starts. Matt Damon and Tom Holland were reportedly filming around Burghead before heading out by boat towards Culbin Forest, just along the coast.</p>



<p>Of course <a href="https://www.historicenvironment.scot/visit/all/burghead-well/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Burghead</a> has its own history stacked into it. It&#8217;s thought to have been the site of Scotland&#8217;s largest Pictish fort, a royal stronghold in use from around AD 400 to 900, so this coastline has been watching people arrive and leave for a very long time.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="621" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/scotland/wp-content/uploads/sites/29/2026/07/the-odyssey-matt-damon.jpeg" alt="Odyssey Culbin" class="wp-image-4938" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/scotland/wp-content/uploads/sites/29/2026/07/the-odyssey-matt-damon.jpeg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/scotland/wp-content/uploads/sites/29/2026/07/the-odyssey-matt-damon-300x124.jpeg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/scotland/wp-content/uploads/sites/29/2026/07/the-odyssey-matt-damon-1024x424.jpeg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/scotland/wp-content/uploads/sites/29/2026/07/the-odyssey-matt-damon-768x318.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photograph: Universal Pictures</figcaption></figure>



<p><a href="https://forestryandland.gov.scot/visit/destinations/culbin" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Culbin Forest</a> is the real showstopper though. Pine forest gives way, almost without warning, to enormous beaches edged with dunes and salt marsh, much of it part of an RSPB reserve. It has a scale to it that feels cinematic even without a film crew involved. If you&#8217;ve got time, the climb up to <a href="https://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/moray/culbin-forest.shtml" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hill 99 viewpoint</a> gives you the whole canopy and the Moray Firth beyond it.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="980" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/scotland/wp-content/uploads/sites/29/2026/07/Bootleggers.jpg" alt="Bootleggers Hopeman" class="wp-image-4921" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/scotland/wp-content/uploads/sites/29/2026/07/Bootleggers.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/scotland/wp-content/uploads/sites/29/2026/07/Bootleggers-300x294.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/scotland/wp-content/uploads/sites/29/2026/07/Bootleggers-768x753.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p><strong>Eat: </strong>The team behind the <em>Good Food Guide</em> listed <a href="https://www.facebook.com/BothyBistro/?locale=en_GB" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bothy Bistro in Burghead</a> have decamped for the summer to <a href="https://www.bootleggersbarandgrill.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Bootleggers Bar and Grill</a> in Hopeman, so head there for lunch with a coastal view.&nbsp;</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-buckie-harbour-the-unlikeliest-film-set-in-britain">Buckie Harbour – the unlikeliest film set in Britain?</h3>



<p>Keep going east and you land in Buckie, which might be one of the least expected blockbuster locations going.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1125" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/scotland/wp-content/uploads/sites/29/2026/07/Buckie_Harbour_and_Bin_Hill.jpeg" alt="Buckie Harbour and Bin Hill" class="wp-image-4922" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/scotland/wp-content/uploads/sites/29/2026/07/Buckie_Harbour_and_Bin_Hill.jpeg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/scotland/wp-content/uploads/sites/29/2026/07/Buckie_Harbour_and_Bin_Hill-300x225.jpeg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/scotland/wp-content/uploads/sites/29/2026/07/Buckie_Harbour_and_Bin_Hill-1024x768.jpeg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/scotland/wp-content/uploads/sites/29/2026/07/Buckie_Harbour_and_Bin_Hill-768x576.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>For filming, the harbour became an ancient Greek port, and reportedly played host to Draken Harald Hårfagre, the largest Viking ship built in modern times, standing in for an ancient war vessel. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="986" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/scotland/wp-content/uploads/sites/29/2026/07/Draken_Harald_Hårfagre__mellom_Fjellskålnes_og_Eidsnes_i_Osterfjorden.jpg" alt="Draken Harald Hårfagre" class="wp-image-4926" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/scotland/wp-content/uploads/sites/29/2026/07/Draken_Harald_Hårfagre__mellom_Fjellskålnes_og_Eidsnes_i_Osterfjorden.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/scotland/wp-content/uploads/sites/29/2026/07/Draken_Harald_Hårfagre__mellom_Fjellskålnes_og_Eidsnes_i_Osterfjorden-300x197.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/scotland/wp-content/uploads/sites/29/2026/07/Draken_Harald_Hårfagre__mellom_Fjellskålnes_og_Eidsnes_i_Osterfjorden-1024x673.jpg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/scotland/wp-content/uploads/sites/29/2026/07/Draken_Harald_Hårfagre__mellom_Fjellskålnes_og_Eidsnes_i_Osterfjorden-768x505.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>Viking warship or not, Buckie has its own charm as you watch fishing boats come and go from the harbour and the work at one of Scotland’s remaining active shipyards.</p>



<p><strong>Eat:</strong> You deserve cake and this is the place to find it. <a href="https://www.instagram.com/spruceandstagmicrobakery/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Spruce &amp; Stag Micro Bakery</a> has a devoted local following.&nbsp;</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cullen-findlater-castle-and-portsoy-where-it-turns-properly-epic">Cullen, Findlater Castle and Portsoy – where it turns properly epic</h3>



<p>From Buckie, push on to Cullen, where the coastline starts outright showing off.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1498" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/scotland/wp-content/uploads/sites/29/2026/07/Sunnyside-Beach.jpg" alt="Sunnyside Beach" class="wp-image-4944" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/scotland/wp-content/uploads/sites/29/2026/07/Sunnyside-Beach.jpg 1498w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/scotland/wp-content/uploads/sites/29/2026/07/Sunnyside-Beach-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/scotland/wp-content/uploads/sites/29/2026/07/Sunnyside-Beach-1024x684.jpg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/scotland/wp-content/uploads/sites/29/2026/07/Sunnyside-Beach-768x513.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1498px) 100vw, 1498px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photograph: Visit Scotland</figcaption></figure>



<p>You can easily walk along <a href="https://visitabdn.com/businesses/sunnyside-beach" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sunnyside beach</a> (another shoot location) to <a href="https://www.findlatercastle.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Findlater Castle</a>, which sits above the sea just outside the village. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1498" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/scotland/wp-content/uploads/sites/29/2026/07/Findlater-Castle.jpg" alt="Findlater Castle" class="wp-image-4939" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/scotland/wp-content/uploads/sites/29/2026/07/Findlater-Castle.jpg 1498w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/scotland/wp-content/uploads/sites/29/2026/07/Findlater-Castle-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/scotland/wp-content/uploads/sites/29/2026/07/Findlater-Castle-1024x684.jpg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/scotland/wp-content/uploads/sites/29/2026/07/Findlater-Castle-768x513.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1498px) 100vw, 1498px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photograph: Visit Scotland</figcaption></figure>



<p>This medieval fortress reportedly features in the film&#8217;s mythic world, and standing there with the North Sea doing its thing below, it&#8217;s not hard to see why.</p>



<p>Cullen itself might be one of the best stops on the whole route. Rows of colourful houses, a huge beach and the honour of being the birthplace of Cullen Skink. Wander the harbour and poke around <a href="https://www.beinnbooks.co.uk/cullen" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">BEINN</a> Books with a coffee.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/scotland/wp-content/uploads/sites/29/2026/07/20160905_bow_fiddle_rock_portknockie_007.jpg" alt="Bow Fiddle Rock" class="wp-image-4940" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/scotland/wp-content/uploads/sites/29/2026/07/20160905_bow_fiddle_rock_portknockie_007.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/scotland/wp-content/uploads/sites/29/2026/07/20160905_bow_fiddle_rock_portknockie_007-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/scotland/wp-content/uploads/sites/29/2026/07/20160905_bow_fiddle_rock_portknockie_007-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/scotland/wp-content/uploads/sites/29/2026/07/20160905_bow_fiddle_rock_portknockie_007-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photograph: Visit Scotland</figcaption></figure>



<p>Make sure you make the short detour to <a href="https://visitforres.scot/listing/bow-fiddle-rock/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bow Fiddle Rock</a> at nearby Portknockie, where the sea has carved the cliffs into one of Scotland&#8217;s most photographable formations. And push on a bit further along the coast and you’ll find a final filming location in the pretty harbour at Portsoy.</p>



<p><strong>Eat:</strong> You&#8217;re in Cullen, so order the Cullen Skink. The <a href="https://www.seafieldarmscullen.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Seafield Arms Hotel</a> hosts the world championships and is a good place to start, but it’s all good! At Portsoy, <a href="https://www.weesourdoughbakery.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Wee Sourdough Bakery</a> is worth popping into for chocolate sourdough and good espresso. You’ve earned it.</p>



<hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />



<div style="height:100px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-in-the-mood-for-more">IN THE MOOD FOR MORE?</h2>



<ul>
<li><a href="https://scotland.muddystilettos.co.uk/best-places-to-live/scotland/inverness-scottish-highlands/">Inverness, Scottish Highlands</a></li>



<li><a href="https://scotland.muddystilettos.co.uk/travel/review-newhall-mains-balblair/">Review: Newhall Mains, Balblair</a></li>



<li><a href="https://scotland.muddystilettos.co.uk/travel/uk/travel-guides/far-north-guide/">Take the high road: Eight reasons to head to Scotland’s most northerly point</a></li>
</ul>


Gods, shipwrecks and Hollywood: why Christopher Nolan chose Scotland’s wildest coastline for The Odyssey

You may also like