Robert the Bruce, King of Maps

An interactive map of Scotland featuring the film locations of Outlaw King and historic sites connected to Robert the Bruce has been produced by the national tourism organisation.

The launch of the online guide by VisitScotland is set to inspire visitors to explore the real history of the 14th Century king behind the Netflix film.

On the trail of the Outlaw King highlights 20 filming locations and 24 sites linked to Robert the Bruce across the country, from Annandale in Dumfries and Galloway, where the King of Scots was raised, to Claigan Coral Beach on the Isle of Skye, which portrays the island of Islay in the film.

Outlaw King charts the story of Robert the Bruce (played by Chris Pine), from defeated nobleman in 1304 to victorious King of Scots at the Battle of Loudoun Hill in 1307.

Director David Mackenzie says he feels like he has been location scouting for Outlaw King his entire adult life – with the film being as much about the land itself as the King of Scots.

Berwick-Upon-Tweed, which borders Scotland and England and was used as a filming location, also features in the VisitScotland guide as it notes that it “changed hands between England and Scotland no fewer than 14 times between the 13th and 14th centuries during the Wars of Scottish Independence”.

Users of the map can select an icon representing castles, landscapes, churches, and towns for a brief description of the importance of the location (be it film or historical) and a link to get further information.

Film highlights include:

• Dunfermline Abbey plays the role of Westminster with filming taking place in the nave.
• St Michael’s Chapel in the grounds of Linlithgow Palace stars as Bruce’s castle chapel where he is married to Elizabeth.
• Mugdock Country Park doubles as Loudoun Hill in the climactic battle between the Scots and English.
• Loch an Eilein in Rothiemurchus Estate, Cairngorms National Park, features during the riveting attack by the MacDougalls.

Historical highlights include:

• Annandale, Dumfries and Galloway, where Robert the Bruce was raised.
• St Andrews Cathedral, Fife, where the King of Scots held his first parliament in 1309.
• Scone Palace, Perthshire, the crowning place of Scottish kings.
• Loch Doon Castle, Ayrshire, built by either Robert the Bruce or his father.

Outlaw King, released globally on Netflix on 9 November, was shot entirely in Scotland (according to the borders of 1320) and is said to be the largest production, budget-wise, to be made in the country to date.

With one in five visitors inspired to come here after seeing Scotland on the big or small screen, VisitScotland expects visitor numbers to grow further with the release of Outlaw King.

Jenni Steele, Film and Creative Industries Manager at VisitScotland, said: “The dramatic landscapes of Scotland are as much of a character in Outlaw King as the King of Scots himself and are sure to entice Netflix viewers off the couch and into the country.

“Outlaw King presents an excellent opportunity for the Scottish tourism industry, as film fans have the unique chance to not only walk in the footsteps of its on-screen stars but also those of their real-life counterparts. We hope our interactive map will encourage potential visitors to explore Scotland and the real story and locations behind the King of Scots.”

David Mackenzie, director of Outlaw King, said: “We tried to get as much of Scotland into the film as possible and in a way, it is about the land. I don’t think any film has really taken the image of this country to the level we have. It feels like I’ve been location scouting for this film all my adult life.”

See VisitScotland’s Outlaw King map here https://outlawking.visitscotland.com/

Outlaw King is available via subscription from www.netflix.com

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