After all, if you were in charge of a film production company, why would you commit to building an expensive scale replica of an ancient fortress, when you could come to Scotland and have your actors experience the real deal?
From the memorable appearance of Doune Castle in Monty Python and the Holy Grail to the use of Craigmillar and Blackness castles in more recent epics, we take a look at 9 Scottish castles that have been made world famous by their inclusion in popular movies down the decades.
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1. Eilean Donan Castle, Kyle of Lochalsh
It's probably easier to name the movies Eilean Donan hasn't appeared in. The ancient fortress is today one of the most photographed in Scotland, and it's not hard to see why. Since the 1940s, Eilean Donan has starred in a string of movies, including blockbusters such as Highlander (1986), Loch Ness (1996), and The World Is Not Enough (1999). Photo: Contributed
2. Duart Castle, Isle of Mull
The ancestral home of the MacLean clan, Duart Castle starred in 1999's Entrapment with Sean Connery and Catherine Zeta-Jones. It has also appeared in When Eight Bells Toll (1971), and I Know Where I'm Going (1945). Photo: Henry West
3. Doune Castle, Stirling
A mecca for Monty Python fans since its inclusion in the 1975 hit Monty Python and the Holy Grail, Doune Castle has firmly established itself as a prime location for directors on the hunt for historic backdrops. In recent years it has also appeared in Game of Thrones, Outlander, and Outlaw King. Photo: Contributed
4. Dunottar Castle, Stonehaven
Perched precariously atop a rugged, rocky outcrop on the Aberdeenshire coast, Dunottar Castle has long fired the imaginations of writers. It's said Dunottar inspired the makers of Disney Pixar's Brave when designing their own digital castle. The real-life fortress has appeared in a number of films, including Hamlet (1990), and Victor Frankenstein (2015). Photo: Contributed