Where Was "A Castle for Christmas" Filmed? The Real Backdrop to the Netflix Smash Hit
A Castle for Christmas was a big hit when it landed on Netflix in 2021. It tells the story of successful author Sophie Brown, who wants to escape her American hometown after a scandal breaks out over her newest book. She remembers the stories passed down to her about Dun Dunbar Castle, a beautiful Scottish castle filled with history and beauty.
The Netflix movie is a charming mix of fun and romance, with a familiar storyline we all know and love around Christmas time.
One of the best parts of this romantic comedy is how it looks visually. The stunning views of Scotland give the movie that dreamy quality all good Christmas movies need. And, hey, we aren't saying that Brooke Shields and Cary Elwes don't put on wonderful acting performances between them, but the filming locations used in the film are the real stars of the show if you ask us.
So, in this blog, let's talk about the main filming locations used throughout the film and discuss why they are so wonderful! Maybe this will become a travel bucket list of sorts for A Castle for Christmas fans across the nation.
Dakota Hotels Edinburgh
The cast and crew of A Castle for Christmas spent the majority of their filming time in Edinburgh, the capital city of Scotland.
While the start of the plot of the movie begins in Sophie Brown's New York apartment, what we are seeing is actually in the Dakota Hotels in Edinburgh. And not one of the hotel rooms either, surprisingly. The apartment we see in the film is actually the restaurant of the hotel, done up to look like a luxury apartment.
A skilled act of trick on the production team's part and great use of such a wonderful Scottish hotel, we think!
Edinburgh Airport
For a piece of realism in the Netflix movie, we see Sophie Brown landing at Edinburgh airport and this was , indeed, filmed at Edinburgh airport. No tricks here.
We get to see Brooke Shields arriving in the very real Edinburgh terminal and then getting her first taste of a thick Scottish accent from her taxi driver. From here on in, Sophie Brown is entrenched in Scotland and Scottish culture.
Dalmeny House, South Queensferry
The most important location we see in this entire Netflix movie is the fictional Dun Dunbar Castle. This is where Sophie finds the Duke of Dunbar and starts her interesting and complex story with him.
The grumpy duke is selling his mansion and Sophie wants to buy it, but not before he puts her to the test. The mansion he is really selling is Dalmeny House, from the Rosebery Estates, a beautiful gothic revival mansion nestled in South Queensferry, on the outskirts of Edinburgh.
The majority of our story takes place in Dun Dunbar Castle, and so it is the central filming location of the movie. Both when we see exterior and interior shots of the castle, this is Dalmeny House. And rightfully so, it is a beautiful spot.
The Scottish castle is open to visitors during the summer so you can go and get a taste of your own Christmas-time budding romance story if you would like to.
Tantallon Castle, East Lothian
Tantallon Castle in East Lothian has already been a popular feature of Scottish film and TV, featuring in big productions such as Mary Queen of Scots. In A Castle for Christmas, we see this Scottish landmark during Sophie and Myles's tour of the country.
It is an absolutely stunning spot that would definitely lead to my own wanting to stay in Scotland for the rest of my life with a duke. Don't you agree?
You can certainly visit this spot on your own tour of Scotland, but you might want to go on a day that isn't too windy, as the sea below those cliff edges gets pretty choppy.
Inveraray Castle
One of the first castles the character of Brooke Shields sees in A Castle for Christmas when she lands in Scotland is Inveraray Castle. Avid TV fans may already know this castle from the TV series Outlander and from the 2012 Christmas episode of Downton Abbey.
An infamous Scottish castle with beautiful grounds and historical features, it is no wonder that this filming spot has a direct hold over the movie's main character. It is a far cry from the scenes of New York, that's for sure, and it is one of the views that secure the character's desire to move to Scotland and get away from all the drama she has left behind her.
Who can blame her?
Culross over the Firth of Forth
In A Castle for Christmas, we see the small village of Dunbar, where the pub The Castle Inn is situated. The little village helps Sophie Brown fall further in love with Scotland and its welcoming surroundings.
The village of Dunbar is actually the town of Culross in Fife, a real-life Scottish town with plenty of Scottish accents and fun pubs. It also has lovely views of the Firth of Forth, a collection of Scottish rivers that flow through the area.
The scenes here probably give the most accurate description of Scotland and its culture. We absolutely loved it and apparently so did Brooke Shields!
You can add this one to your list of A Castle for Christmas travel locations, and it's guaranteed that you will have a great time with lots of laughs and Scottish culture all around.
If you do go, send pictures, won't you?
Have Yourself a Dreamy Little Christmas
You don't have to be at any of the above-mentioned locations to have your own dreamy Christmas set.
At Giggster, we have a selection of boutique hotels and elegant castles that can be rented out for your filming, production and event needs!
If you're on a hunt for a royal-inspired venue where you can shoot a cosy Christmas-themed film or video, check out our recommendations below!
Scottish Elegant Bar in Edinburgh
Check out prices here.
Beautiful Private Dining Room in Edinburgh
Book this elegant place here.
Lovely Drawing Room in Edinburgh
Don't miss out on this room! Book here.