Spirited Scotland
A land of legend and lore, Scotland’s landmarks have inspired storytelling for eons: from poetry, to fables, to the most beloved Disney tales.
Photograph by Acacia Johnson
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CALANAIS STANDING STONES, ISLE OF LEWIS, OUTER HEBRIDES
For over 5,000 years—predating even Stonehenge—these enchanting stones have illuminated hearts and minds.
The circle of mystical megaliths is a muse for animated Disney film Brave.
Protagonist Merida is guided by will’-o-the-wisps to an arcane ring of stones, where her destiny is forever changed.
Cruciform in shape, this puzzling arrangement of menhirs has an esoteric essence, its pillars stretching towards the sky, as if wanting to make contact with the stars.
The circle of mystical megaliths is a muse for animated Disney film Brave.
Protagonist Merida is guided by will’-o-the-wisps to an arcane ring of stones, where her destiny is forever changed.
Cruciform in shape, this puzzling arrangement of menhirs has an esoteric essence, its pillars stretching towards the sky, as if wanting to make contact with the stars.
Photograph by Acacia Johnson
Please be respectful of copyright. Unauthorized use is prohibited.
EILDON HILLS, SCOTTISH BORDERS
Encapsulating the most iconic elements of Scotland's landscapes, this storied region was the perfect canvas for the fifth Indiana Jones movie: Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny.
In addition to Glasgow’s St Vincent Street, Cochrane Street and George Square, the Scottish Borders made an awesome feature on the adventurous archaeologist's excursion.
As he raced to retrieve the second half of the Archimedes Dial, the Leaderfoot Viaduct near Melrose became a notable location in the film.
In addition to Glasgow’s St Vincent Street, Cochrane Street and George Square, the Scottish Borders made an awesome feature on the adventurous archaeologist's excursion.
As he raced to retrieve the second half of the Archimedes Dial, the Leaderfoot Viaduct near Melrose became a notable location in the film.
Photograph by Acacia Johnson
Please be respectful of copyright. Unauthorized use is prohibited.
ST ABBS, SCOTTISH BORDERS
St Abbs sits charmingly on its rugged shore, its harbor walls appearing to wrap protective arms around the small fleet of fishing boats that shelter here from the North Sea’s chilly waves.
This seafaring settlement features in Avengers Endgame. When Thor found himself facing turbulent, world-ending threats, he could retreat to St Abbs for some relaxation and downtime.
Dubbed the “The New Asgard,” the unassuming village seems to resonate powerful, untapped potential—ripe for exploration.
This seafaring settlement features in Avengers Endgame. When Thor found himself facing turbulent, world-ending threats, he could retreat to St Abbs for some relaxation and downtime.
Dubbed the “The New Asgard,” the unassuming village seems to resonate powerful, untapped potential—ripe for exploration.
Photograph by Acacia Johnson
Please be respectful of copyright. Unauthorized use is prohibited.
THE ROYAL MILE, EDINBURGH
A vibrant, contemporary city with historic charm, Edinburgh bustles and buzzes with life and energy—a hub of inspiration and imagination.
Fortunately, despite becoming the arena for a clash of superheroes and villains in Avengers Infinity War, the Scottish capital’s stunning Gothic architecture remains unscathed, and the city is open for mortals to roam.
A corridor of dreams, countless footsteps have trodden its cobbled streets, and the Royal Mile invites visitors to leave their own shoe-shaped marks on its path.
Fortunately, despite becoming the arena for a clash of superheroes and villains in Avengers Infinity War, the Scottish capital’s stunning Gothic architecture remains unscathed, and the city is open for mortals to roam.
A corridor of dreams, countless footsteps have trodden its cobbled streets, and the Royal Mile invites visitors to leave their own shoe-shaped marks on its path.
Photograph by Acacia Johnson
Please be respectful of copyright. Unauthorized use is prohibited.
DUNNOTTAR CASTLE, ABERDEENSHIRE
Dating back to the 14th century, few buildings have accrued as much lore as Dunnottar Castle. Witnessing the inception of churches, the destructiveness of fire and war, and the rise and fall of kings and queens, its walls harbor era-long secrets of Scotland’s epic history.
Perched on a clifftop looking out to sea, Dunnottar is part of Scotland’s Castle Trail and one of 263 castles you can visit in Aberdeenshire.
The Disney animated movie Brave drew inspiration from its fortifications, with Dunbroch being based on the 600-year-old castle. One might say that Dunnottar is truly home of the brave.
Perched on a clifftop looking out to sea, Dunnottar is part of Scotland’s Castle Trail and one of 263 castles you can visit in Aberdeenshire.
The Disney animated movie Brave drew inspiration from its fortifications, with Dunbroch being based on the 600-year-old castle. One might say that Dunnottar is truly home of the brave.
Photograph by Acacia Johnson
Please be respectful of copyright. Unauthorized use is prohibited.
CULROSS, FIFE
Full of narrow wynds (very narrow streets) that unfurl like scrolls, around every corner Culross seems home to sites that appear frozen in time.
What might be overlooked as simple, rustic cottages are, in fact, tinged with magic, with every step around the 17th-century village unraveling a plot in this storybook world.
Culross and Captain America are an unlikely pairing, yet in the action-packed movie, the village becomes a Norwegian-style backdrop for a unique and unforgettable chapter in Cap’s journey.
As if part of a duology, this historic haven is close to Dunfermline, Scotland’s newest city.
What might be overlooked as simple, rustic cottages are, in fact, tinged with magic, with every step around the 17th-century village unraveling a plot in this storybook world.
Culross and Captain America are an unlikely pairing, yet in the action-packed movie, the village becomes a Norwegian-style backdrop for a unique and unforgettable chapter in Cap’s journey.
As if part of a duology, this historic haven is close to Dunfermline, Scotland’s newest city.
Photograph by Acacia Johnson
Please be respectful of copyright. Unauthorized use is prohibited.
GLEN AFFRIC, HIGHLANDS
Nestled in the heart of the Scottish Highlands, Glen Affric is a natural phenomenon sculpted by nature. Over 30 miles of ancient pinewood dress the land, while the glen’s loch serves as a mirror that reflects the tranquility of the skies above.
Wildlife roams freely throughout the region, including handsome red deer stags with crown-like antlers, and red squirrels that play hide-and-seek among the branches.
Where water meets wood, visitors can paddle across the loch like Princess Merida from Brave, absorbing the view and basking in this sanctuary's blissful peace.
Wildlife roams freely throughout the region, including handsome red deer stags with crown-like antlers, and red squirrels that play hide-and-seek among the branches.
Where water meets wood, visitors can paddle across the loch like Princess Merida from Brave, absorbing the view and basking in this sanctuary's blissful peace.
Photograph by Acacia Johnson
Please be respectful of copyright. Unauthorized use is prohibited.
GLASGOW
Pulsating with life, Glasgow invites visitors to revel in a symphony of wonder as design, culture, and greenery converge.
The city’s architecture blends Victorian grandeur with modern innovation, while also housing a back garden that pairs perfectly with its built environment. Stunning landscapes, such as Loch Lomond, west coast beaches and islands, and the Highlands are easily accessible from the city.
Surely there's a story waiting to be unveiled to those who explore its streets with an open heart and a curious spirit.
The city’s architecture blends Victorian grandeur with modern innovation, while also housing a back garden that pairs perfectly with its built environment. Stunning landscapes, such as Loch Lomond, west coast beaches and islands, and the Highlands are easily accessible from the city.
Surely there's a story waiting to be unveiled to those who explore its streets with an open heart and a curious spirit.
Photograph by Acacia Johnson
Please be respectful of copyright. Unauthorized use is prohibited.
GLEN TILT, PERTHSHIRE
In Glen Tilt, the rugged moorland stretches for miles, shifting colors as if by magic. With the changing of the seasons, summer shrubs and wildflowers paint the landscape in hues of amethyst and azure.
In Star Wars spin off Andor, Glen Tilt is transformed into the planet Aldhani, and its lands are revered as sacred by the native Dhanis.
Whether it’s performing as the rebel hideout in a Star Wars spin-off or serving as a stage for bagpipers whose music echoes through the glen, Tilt’s brooding countryside is a backdrop that deserves to be in the limelight.
In Star Wars spin off Andor, Glen Tilt is transformed into the planet Aldhani, and its lands are revered as sacred by the native Dhanis.
Whether it’s performing as the rebel hideout in a Star Wars spin-off or serving as a stage for bagpipers whose music echoes through the glen, Tilt’s brooding countryside is a backdrop that deserves to be in the limelight.
Photograph by Acacia Johnson
Please be respectful of copyright. Unauthorized use is prohibited.
GREYFRIARS BOBBY, EDINBURGH
Greyfriars Bobby, a legendary canine figure in the heart of Edinburgh, reaches beyond the limits of an ordinary statue to embody a fabled tale of loyalty and enduring spirit.
Bobby, a steadfast guardian who watches over resting souls with a sense of perpetual vigilance, has become a beacon for those who believe in the power of everlasting love and devotion. Walking up towards him, you step into a world where the bond between man and dog is eternal.
Bobby, a steadfast guardian who watches over resting souls with a sense of perpetual vigilance, has become a beacon for those who believe in the power of everlasting love and devotion. Walking up towards him, you step into a world where the bond between man and dog is eternal.
Photograph by Acacia Johnson
Please be respectful of copyright. Unauthorized use is prohibited.
ST ABBS, SCOTTISH BORDERS
In a coastal region thick with legend, the waters around St Abbs are a cauldron of wonder.
Time it right, and you’ll witness the coast take on an ethereal glow. Hidden sea caves beckon like portals to an underwater realm. When the tides are right, the caves sing songs of old, sharing their nautical wisdom in whispers.
It's a place where the boundaries between the earthly and the magical blur, inviting those who seek enchantment to lose themselves in the bewitching embrace of this North Sea wonderland.
Time it right, and you’ll witness the coast take on an ethereal glow. Hidden sea caves beckon like portals to an underwater realm. When the tides are right, the caves sing songs of old, sharing their nautical wisdom in whispers.
It's a place where the boundaries between the earthly and the magical blur, inviting those who seek enchantment to lose themselves in the bewitching embrace of this North Sea wonderland.
Photograph by Acacia Johnson
Please be respectful of copyright. Unauthorized use is prohibited.
CALANAIS, ISLE OF LEWIS, OUTER HEBRIDES
In Calanais, the Mars-like moorland emits a transportive and transcendent energy.
The moor’s otherworldly topography has inspired myths throughout the ages and serves as the home of the legendary Calanais Standing Stones.
Many of Scotland’s emblematic manmade and natural icons have innately magic traits, a magic that’s amplified when explorers overlay their own imaginations onto their personal canvases.
To learn more about Disney inspired journeys across Scotland read this next.
The moor’s otherworldly topography has inspired myths throughout the ages and serves as the home of the legendary Calanais Standing Stones.
Many of Scotland’s emblematic manmade and natural icons have innately magic traits, a magic that’s amplified when explorers overlay their own imaginations onto their personal canvases.
To learn more about Disney inspired journeys across Scotland read this next.
Photograph by Acacia Johnson