14 of Edinburgh's most memorable movie appearances

By David Mclean

Published 24th Sep 2019, 12:51 BST

Updated 24th Sep 2019, 13:51 BST

T2: Trainspotting

placeholder image — T2: Trainspotting

Edinburgh and its awe-inspiring backdrops and unique cityscape has long proved a popular draw among filmmakers.

We take a look at 14 of the most memorable major movies that have featured the Scottish capital.

While Filth, a dark, Irvine-Welsh adapted comedy centred around a corrupt local police officer with a penchant for illicit activities, is hardly an advert for Edinburgh, the city itself looks superb.

placeholder image — While Filth, a dark, Irvine-Welsh adapted comedy centred around a corrupt local police officer with a penchant for illicit activities, is hardly an advert for Edinburgh, the city itself looks superb.

The film adaptation of the much-loved book by David Nicholls about a couple who meet on the same day every year for twenty years before finally falling in love. The Old and New Towns feature prominently, with some memorable scenes filmed on Arthur's Seat.

placeholder image — The film adaptation of the much-loved book by David Nicholls about a couple who meet on the same day every year for twenty years before finally falling in love. The Old and New Towns feature prominently, with some memorable scenes filmed on Arthur's Seat.

A lot of fun and very, very of its time, Restless Natives centres around two young Edinburgh teens who take to a life of crime, holding up tour buses in the Scottish Highlands while wearing silly masks. Central Edinburgh takes centre stage in plenty of key scenes.

placeholder image — A lot of fun and very, very of its time, Restless Natives centres around two young Edinburgh teens who take to a life of crime, holding up tour buses in the Scottish Highlands while wearing silly masks. Central Edinburgh takes centre stage in plenty of key scenes.

Directed by Dexter Fletcher, this 2013 effort is the all singing, all dancing screen adaptation of the stage musical by the same name and heavily features the works of The Proclaimers. Key scenes were filmed on The Mound and around the Shore in Leith.

placeholder image — Directed by Dexter Fletcher, this 2013 effort is the all singing, all dancing screen adaptation of the stage musical by the same name and heavily features the works of The Proclaimers. Key scenes were filmed on The Mound and around the Shore in Leith.

Based on a true story, this inspirational movie directed by Hugh Hudson centres around the trials and tribulations of two young British athletes aiming to compete at the 1924 Olympic Games in Paris. One of the athletes happens to be Edinburgh boy Eric Liddell, and the film features plenty of his home city.

placeholder image — Based on a true story, this inspirational movie directed by Hugh Hudson centres around the trials and tribulations of two young British athletes aiming to compete at the 1924 Olympic Games in Paris. One of the athletes happens to be Edinburgh boy Eric Liddell, and the film features plenty of his home city.

Sylvain Chromet's charming animation featured Edinburgh heavily, recreating the city as it looked in the 1950s. Landmarks such as Arthur's Seat and Jenners department store star prominently.

placeholder image — Sylvain Chromet's charming animation featured Edinburgh heavily, recreating the city as it looked in the 1950s. Landmarks such as Arthur's Seat and Jenners department store star prominently.