The award-winning Royal drama, The Crown, returns to Netflix next week. The fourth series features a host of dramatic backdrops and locations in Scotland.
The Crown follows the story of Queen Elizabeth II, played by Oscar-winning actor Olivia Colman (a role previously held by Claire Foy) from her wedding to present day with season four focusing particularly on the late 1970s through to 1990.
This series sees many poignant shifts in monarchy and society with Margaret Thatcher (played by Gillian Anderson) elected as the first female Prime Minister and the wedding of Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer (played by Josh O’Connor and Emma Corrin). If you have enjoyed The Crown so far, you will be very likely to be hooked on season four this autumn and winter.
Scottish locations in The Crown season four
Ardverikie Estate
Kinloch Laggan, Newtonmore, Inverness-shire
Scenes set in the majestic Royal residency and the monarch’s favoured summer retreat, Balmoral Castle, are shot at Ardverikie Estate. Originally made famous in BBC’s Monarch of Glen as the fictional Glenbogle Estate, the 19th century home is built in the same Scottish baronial style as Balmoral castle, making it the perfect, lavish backdrop for the series.
See: www.ardverikie.com
Rothiemurchus Estate
Rothiemurchus Centre, Aviemore
The famous Braemar Gathering, a traditional Highland Games, is recreated in series four slightly further north at Rothiemurchus Estate in Aviemore. Traditionally, the Braemar Gathering takes place annually on the first Saturday of September in Braemar and has been part of the Royal calendar since 1832. In 2020, the Braemar Gathering went virtual for the first time.
See Scotland’s Highland Games.
Lybster Harbour and Langwell Estate
Caithness
Situated on the famous North Coast 500 driving route, the Caithness and Wick areas are portrayed as many different locations in the series. Lybster Harbour and Langwell Estate are depicted as Leith Harbour and Grytviken in South Georgia, a British Overseas Territory in the South Atlantic that was secured by the British during the Falklands war in 1982.
Dunbeath Estate
Dunbeath, Caithness
Dunbeath Estate in Caithness, close to the North Coast 500 route, is shot as the River Hofsa in Iceland. The thrilling cliff edges and roaring waves make for a dramatic backdrop to depict the land of fire and ice.
The 17th century Dunbeath Castle is a private residence, so it is not open to the public, however the gardens are open by appointment all year round.
See: www.dunbeath.co.uk
Keiss Harbour & Ackergill Tower
Wick, Caithness
Keiss Harbour and Ackergill Tower, also situated on the North Coast 500, play a role a bit closer to home as they are depicted as Classiebawn Castle and Mullaghmore in Ireland.
For additional information on Caithness and Sutherland see: www.venture-north.co.uk/about