Film Locations Scotland: Five cinematic scenes at Rosebery Estates

Among the most iconic filming locations in Scotland is Rosebery Estates, with its rich history, stunning landscapes and inspiring architecture, has captured the eye of many a director, taking a prominent role in multiple blockbusters. Whether you're shooting a sweeping period drama or an eerie gothic thriller, Rosebery provides a backdrop that often becomes a character in and of itself.

The Gothic Castle

As gothic cinema enjoys a revival with the likes of Nosferatu and Frankenstein creeping back into theatres, Barnbougle Castle on the Dalmeny Estate offers the perfect setting for moody, atmospheric storytelling.

Perched on the edge of the Firth of Forth, this 13th-century castle stands sentinel on the coast, presenting an image that was made for drama. Its weathered stone walls and heavy doors set the tone before you even step inside. Within, the interiors are a study in baronial architecture with vaulted ceilings, dark wood panelling, and ancestral portraits, with a life-sized statue of Pan keeping watch over the sweeping staircase. It’s pure cinematic magic.

Beyond the castle walls, ancient woods dotted with crumbling ruins add another layer of intrigue – the perfect setting for a dramatic chase or tragic end.

Period Romance

For something softer and more romantic, Rosebery House is a dream venue. Built in the 1800s and lying within private grounds, this stately home feels frozen in time. Antique furniture stands pride of place in each room, painted portraits line the walls, sashed windows are adorned with heavy drapery, and the bathrooms house roll-topped baths.

The interiors are rich in period detail, with grand bedrooms and an airy orangery that bathes everything in natural light. Outside, the grounds are a filmmaker’s playground: manicured gardens, sweeping lawns, and winding paths that lead to secret corners. Think Atonement, Downton Abbey and Pride and Prejudice.

Visually, you can imagine, with ease, a 19th-century love story unfolding here.

Just a drive away, Dalmeny Village adds to the charm with its stone cottages and timeless British feel, ideal for rural backdrops or scenes set at a classic village fête.

Whimsical Woodland

The woodlands across Rosebery Estates are full of character and completely transform with the light and the seasons. Sometimes they’re whimsical and fairytale-like; other times, they take on a darker, haunting edge.

Winding paths lined with moss, towering trees, and hidden clearings make these woods a blank canvas for fantasy, folklore, or deep, character-driven stories. Whether you're shooting an enchanted forest or a solitary journey through nature, there's something here that will feel just right.

Nautical Sites

For filmmakers seeking coastal drama, Rosebery Estates offers immediate access to Scotland’s rugged maritime character.

Near South Queensferry, the shoreline is rugged and full of texture: weathered boathouses, salt-worn harbour walls, and crooked fishermen’s cottages that whisper stories of life by the water. The iconic Forth Bridge looms in the background — a bold industrial silhouette against the sky.

This setting is tailor-made for pirate sagas, ghostly seafaring tales, or isolated coastal dramas.

Country Life

Sometimes, the most powerful stories are the simplest ones. Rosebery Steading captures that quiet, grounded charm of rural living.

This restored farmhouse located just outside of Edinburgh blends rustic character with modern design and includes open-plan kitchens, soft neutrals, and wide, welcoming spaces. It's easy to imagine it as a family home, or the setting of a quaint, slice-of-life drama.

Outside, you’ll find winding farm tracks, weathered stone barns, and golden rape fields that stretch to the horizon. It’s an environment that lends itself to stories of the simple and everyday life.

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What makes Rosebery Estates so special isn’t just its variety of locations but the authenticity each brings.

If you’d like to explore these cinematic spots for yourself or discuss how Rosebery Estates could bring your next production to life, our team would love to hear from you. Private tours and location previews are available by request.