Where is Balamory? Here's the real Scottish island where iconic children's show was filmed
Here’s what you need to know about Tobermory, the real Balamory.
Iconic children’s television show Balamory has returned to screens with a brand new series.
Having premiered on CBeebies and BBC iPlayer on Monday, April 20 the new episodes take the series - and many familiar faces - back to the colourful island.
Filmed largely in Tobermory, the capital of the Isle of Mull, the Scottish location is well known for its colourful houses. As well as its bright waterfront area, some parts of the show were filmed in East Lothian and Glasgow.
Here’s what you need to know about the real life Balamory.
Where is Balamory? What’s the story of Tobermory
In the TV show, Balamory is played by Tobermory on the Isle of Mull in the Scottish Inner Hebrides.
The eye-catching real life location has plenty to offer visitors especially with the show’s return. While we see the cast of characters entering their various colourful homes, these are all privately owned.
For example, while the new episodes were being filmed Miss Hoolie’s green house went on the market.
If you’d like to visit the Isle of Mull, there are tours, an aquarium, a theatre, museum and more activities to enjoy such as boat tours and outdoor walks. For the adult’s there is also a whisky distillery.
Where else was Balamory filmed?
Most of the interior scenes of the show are filmed in Glasgow, at BBC Studio’s Kelvinhall base, as The Scotsman’s Jane Bradley discovered last year.
You can read all about her time on the Balamory set, here.
As for locations such as inventor Archie’s castle - which now belongs to his daughter Ava - is actually Fenton Tower in East Lothian.
The 16th century fortified tower is around 20 miles away from Edinburgh, between Gullane and North Berwick with the site dating back to the 11th century.
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Fans may be slightly disappointed to learn that the actual building isn’t quite as bright as it appears in the show however, it is open to visitors.
It was restored in 1998 and is now a listed ancient monument and Category-A listed building, as well a luxury accommodation and a wedding venue.
You can watch all episodes - new and old - of Balamory on BBC iPlayer.
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