Links to the Highlands are celebrated in the new blockbuster film, King Arthur: Legend of the Sword.
Most of us are familiar with tales of King Arthur – ruler of Camelot, head of the Knights of the Round Table, King of England and pretty handy with a special sword called Excalibur.
But the legendary knight may have been Scottish…
Next year, a new blockbuster film, King Arthur: Legend of the Sword, directed by Guy Ritchie – who himself has links to the Highlands as it was there he tied the knot with singer Madonna – hits the UK cinemas on March 24, 2017.
It stars Charlie “Sons of Anarchy” Hunnam, as the protagonist, alongside Jude Law, Eric Bana and David Beckham.
Some of the scenes for the movie were shot in the stunning Quiraing on the Isle of Skye. It’s said that once you’ve seen the landscape of the Quiraing, you never forget it. This landslip on the northernmost point of the Trotternish Ridge is defined by cliffs, sweeping hillsides and awesome pinnacles and looks strangely supernatural.
The area has already featured in movies such as Macbeth starring, Michael Fassbender, The BFG, Star Dust, starring Michelle Pfieffer, and The Land That Time Forgot.
Scenes for Transformers: The Last Knight, due to be released next year, were also shot there at this north part of the island which can be reached by car, following the road to Uig from Portree. There’s parking at the top of the hill on the road in between Uig and Staffin. In addition, there are bus services from Portree which pass the Quiraing.
Elsewhere in Scotland, there are many places with connections to the Arthurian legend, indeed some academics believe Arthur was not an English monarch but a general in the fifth or sixth century, who fought his battles in southern Scotland and northern England.
In Edinburgh, visitors can walk up Arthur’s Seat. This hollow hill which overlooks the historic city is said to be where Merlin watches over Arthur and his sleeping knights, while Stirling Castle is home to a Round Table, also known as the King’s Knot, which is in a field below the castle and which some experts believe belonged to King Arthur.
Drumelzier, a small town in the Scottish Borders, has an association with the King Arthur legend; Merlin is portrayed as a wild prophet of the woods, and it is said the grave of Merlin is located there.
There are other sites that are said to have links to the legend: Arthur’s Craigs in the west of Lanark; Arthurshiels Farm, north of Biggar and Loch Arthur in Dumfries. Geoffrey of Monmouth tells of an offensive by King Arthur against the Picts and Scots at Loch Lomond.
Guinevere also has her place in Scottish mythology. Outside Meigle, in Perthshire, a Pictish standing stone is said to depict Guinevere’s death. She is shown being pulled apart by dogs, punishment for her infidelity.
But if you want to enjoy a glimpse of mediaeval life, be captivated by a thousand years of history, wild natural beauty – and be in with a chance of spotting a Scottish dragon, in the shape of Nessie – then a visit to Urquhart Castle on the banks of Loch Ness is a must.
As 2017 has been declared Scotland’s Year of History, Heritage and Archaeology, now is the perfect time to start planning your trip into the past and where you can discover Scotland’s fascination stories.
For more information go to www.visitscotland.com