As the year winds down, most of us are ready to enjoy celebrating Christmas before another year begins. Everyone has their own favourite part of the festive season, whether it’s the yummy food, the socialising, or the presents.
For a lot of us, nothing can beat sitting back and watching a heartwarming Christmas movie. There is no shortage of Christmas classics out there, from It’s A Wonderful Life to Love Actually, but there are also plenty of hidden gems that you might not have even heard of. What’s even better is that many of these were either filmed in or are set in Scotland.
While most of them may not compare to the more iconic festive movies, they are still worth a watch. If nothing else, it is always fun watching English or American actors trying – and usually failing – to do a Scottish accent.
Read on for the Daily Record’s guide to eight of the best Scottish Christmas movies you can stream or rent this week.
A Castle for Christmas
This Netflix romantic comedy caused quite a stir amongst Scots when it was released back in 2021, with many criticising the actors’ Scottish accents and poor grasp of the country’s geography. However, for a lot of us, all of that is simply part of the charm.
A Castle for Christmas stars American actress Brooke Shields as a bestselling author who flies out to Scotland to escape a scandal, coming into conflict with a grumpy duke, played by Cary Elwes. Recognisable filming locations include Dalmeny House near Edinburgh and Culross in Fife.
Where to stream: Netflix
Christmas in the Highlands
Originally released in 2019, Christmas in the Highlands features everything that you could want out of a Christmas movie: cheesy acting, an unrealistically happy ending, and plenty of beautiful Scottish scenery. Much of the film takes place at Glamis Castle in Angus, which was the childhood home of Queen Elizabeth, The Queen Mother, while other locations include the Edinburgh Christmas Market and Tayside’s Christmas Tree Farm.
The plot sees New York sales manager Blair sent to the Highlands at Christmas to obtain a limited-edition perfume from dashing aristocrat Alistair. Over the course of the movie, her priorities change as she finds herself enamoured with the stubborn nobleman.
Where to stream: Amazon
The Princess Switch: Switched Again
If you have never heard of The Princess Switch series on Netflix, you are missing out. Starring High School Musical actress Vanessa Hudgens as not one but three different characters, the movies are the perfect blend of feel-good fun and festive silliness.
Much of the second film in the trilogy takes place at Hopetoun House in South Queensferry, which stands in for the fictional Montenaro Castle. As we previously reported, you can even rent out a cottage on the estate for a one-of-a-kind staycation.
Where to stream: Netflix
Christmas in Scotland
This aptly-named movie was released just last year, so you might not have even heard of it. It is about an installation designer who travels to Scotland, where she clashes with a prickly local heir over a festive light display.
Christmas in Scotland is about as predictable as you can get, but is nonetheless a fun watch. Dundas Castle in West Lothian, Edinburgh’s Princes Street Gardens, and the Fife village of Limekilns are among the Scots locations where filming took place.
Where to stream: Amazon
Comfort and Joy
Sometimes, there is no beating the classics — and Comfort and Joy proves it. The 1984 comedy, which stars Bill Paterson, is about a Glasgow DJ who accidentally becomes involved in a war between two mobs for control of the local ice cream trade.
If you’re from Scotland’s biggest city, you will no doubt get a kick out of seeing various landmarks as they appeared in the 1980s. Among the Glasgow destinations featured in the movie are the city centre, Maryhill, Possilpark, and the West End.
Where to stream: Amazon, ITVX
Lost at Christmas
Lost at Christmas is a sweet little movie about two people who each get stranded in the Highlands on December 24 and need to work together to get home in time for Christmas. Among the cast are recognisable faces such as Sylvester McCoy and Sanjeev Kohli, best known for their roles in Doctor Who and Still Game, respectively.
It’s not just the actors you might recognise watching Lost at Christmas, as the movie also features some familiar locations in Scotland. Much of the action takes place at the award-winning Clachaig Inn in Glencoe, as well as Fort William and the village of Bridge of Orchy.
Where to stream: BBC iPlayer, Amazon
Saving Christmas Spirit
Saving Christmas Spirit is a 2022 Christmas movie about a sarcastic archaeologist who learns the importance of festive joy after spending her holidays in the Highlands. It is about as cheesy as it sounds.
Among the Scots filming locations you might recognise watching the movie are Cameron Square and The Parade in Fort William. Elsewhere, there are scenes shot at the iconic Glenfinnan Viaduct and the spectacular Loch Shiel.
Where to stream: Amazon
Anna and the Apocalypse
If the other movies on this list sound a bit schmaltzy for your taste, then Anna and the Apocalypse could be right up your alley. It’s not every day you come across a musical Christmas zombie movie — much less one set in Scotland.
The film stars Ella Hunt as Anna Shepherd, who lives in the fictional town of Little Haven. When her home becomes infested with undead, Anna must work with her friends to fight off the hoards of zombies and save their loved ones.
Where to stream: Channel 4, Amazon
Don’t miss the latest news from around Scotland and beyond – sign up to the Scotland Now newsletter here.