Where was Highlander filmed? Explore the franchise’s Scottish castles, New York streets, Paris landmarks, Vancouver sets, and the new Henry Cavill reboot.
If there’s one movie franchise that treats immortality as an excuse to travel the world, it’s Highlander.
Connor MacLeod goes from misty Scottish battlefields to 1980s New York, while Duncan MacLeod takes the action to Vancouver and Paris, and later Immortals turn up in Bucharest, Lithuania, Buenos Aires, and beyond.
Now Henry Cavill is picking up the sword for the new Highlander reboot, with filming taking the franchise back to Scotland before heading overseas.
And yes, Eilean Donan Castle is returning, making this one of those rare movie-location stories where the original and reboot share the same spectacular landmark.
So, where was the Highlander franchise filmed? From ancient castles and Highland valleys to neon city streets and futuristic dystopias, here are the real locations behind the Immortals.
Table of Contents
⚔️ Highlander Series & Movies in Order
How many Highlander movies are there? Six released movies, including the anime, and the upcoming Henry Cavill reboot. The franchise also includes three television series.
What are the Highlander movies in order? Here’s the complete franchise in release order, including the upcoming reboot and animated entries.
- Highlander (1986): Connor discovers immortality, meets Kurgan.
- Highlander II: The Quickening (1991): Connor battles dystopian corporate tyranny.
- Highlander: The Series (1992-1998): Duncan brings Immortals to television.
- Highlander III: The Final Dimension (1994): Connor faces ancient sorcerer Kane.
- Highlander: The Animated Series (1994-1996): Quentin battles evil Immortals.
- Highlander: The Raven (1998-1999): Amanda gets her own spin-off.
- Highlander: Endgame (2000): Connor and Duncan finally reunite.
- Highlander: The Source (2007): Duncan searches for immortality’s mysterious origin.
- Highlander: The Search for Vengeance (2007): Colin MacLeod stars in anime.
- Highlander (2027): Henry Cavill returns as Connor.
🏔️ All Highlander Filming Locations
From Scottish castles to dystopian Buenos Aires, the Highlander franchise has travelled almost as extensively as its Immortals.
⚔️ Highlander (1986)
The original 1986 Highlander movie follows Connor MacLeod, a 16th-century Scottish warrior who discovers that he cannot die before travelling through centuries of history to 1980s New York.
Christopher Lambert stars alongside Sean Connery as Ramirez and Clancy Brown as the terrifying Kurgan. The production filmed across Scotland, New York, New Jersey, and London, creating the franchise’s signature collision of misty medieval landscapes and aggressively neon 1980s city streets.
Eilean Donan Castle became Connor’s Highland home, while New York supplied his modern life. The result is gloriously bonkers, beautifully atmospheric, and responsible for making Queen’s soundtrack (released on A Kind of Magic) practically inseparable from immortal sword fights.
Book a tour:
- From Inverness: Isle of Skye & Eilean Donan Castle Tour
- Edinburgh: Glenfinnan, Glencoe & Loch Shiel Small Group Tour
- Highlander Locations: 3-Day Isle of Skye & Highlands Private Tour
What was filmed here:
- Eilean Donan Castle, Scotland: Connor’s Highland village exterior.
- Glen Coe, Scotland: Connor’s first battle.
- Loch Shiel, Glenfinnan, Scotland: Scenic landscape and mentor scenes.
- Buachaille Etive Beag, Scotland: Dramatic Highland landscapes.
- Silver Sands of Morar, Scotland: Ramirez trains Connor.
- Meadowlands Arena, New Jersey, USA: Madison Square Garden wrestling.
- St Augustine’s Church, London, England: Connor confronts Kurgan.
- Silvercup Studios, Queens, New York, USA: Final rooftop duel.
What to see & do nearby:
- Eilean Donan Castle, Scotland: Tour the famous island fortress.
- Glen Coe, Scotland: Hike spectacular Highland scenery.
- Silver Sands of Morar, Scotland: Relax on the beautiful beach.
- Fort William, Lochaber, Scotland: Explore the Ben Nevis area.
- Isle of Skye, Scotland: Explore dramatic mountain landscapes.
🌌 Highlander II: The Quickening (1991)
Highlander II: The Quickening takes Connor into a dystopian 2024 where Earth’s ozone layer has collapsed and an artificial shield protects humanity from deadly radiation.
Christopher Lambert returns as Connor, joined by Sean Connery, Virginia Madsen, and Michael Ironside. Production moved almost entirely to Buenos Aires, using the Argentine capital’s architecture and purpose-built sets to create the oppressive future metropolis.
The movie subsequently became famous for its troubled production, multiple versions, and mythology involving the planet Zeist. Director Russell Mulcahy later produced the Renegade Version, substantially reworking the theatrical cut. In other words, even the movie needed a Quickening.
Book a tour:
What was filmed here:
- Buenos Aires, Argentina: Dystopian artificial-shield metropolis.
- Teatro Colón, Argentina: Futuristic interiors.
- Buenos Aires Studios, Argentina: Corporate future-world sets.
What to see & do nearby:
- Teatro Colón, Argentina: Take a guided theatre tour.
- Plaza de Mayo, Argentina: Explore historic Buenos Aires.
- Recoleta Cemetery, Argentina: Wander ornate historic grounds.
- Puerto Madero, Argentina: Cruise along the modern waterfront.
🗡️ Highlander III: The Final Dimension (1994)
Highlander III: The Final Dimension continues from the 1986 original. Connor is living in the 1990s when an archaeological expedition accidentally releases Kane, an ancient Immortal sorcerer.
Christopher Lambert stars with Mario Van Peebles, Deborah Kara Unger, and Mako. The production returned to Scotland for Highland landscapes.
Montreal supplied locations for both contemporary New York and historical Asian settings, while Morocco provided the desert environments associated with Connor’s training.
Book a tour:
What was filmed here:
- Castle Tioram, Scotland: Connor’s Scottish flashbacks.
- Glen Nevis, Scotland: Highland outdoor sequences.
- Montreal, Canada: Modern New York & historical Asian settings.
- Mirabel International Airport, Canada: Transit sequences.
- Morocco: Desert training landscapes.
What to see & do nearby:
- Castle Tioram, Scotland: Photograph the tidal ruins.
- Glen Nevis, Scotland: Walk beneath Ben Nevis.
- Fort William, Scotland: Explore Highland attractions.
- Montreal Old Port, Canada: Stroll the waterfront.
- Montreal Botanical Garden, Canada: Explore themed gardens.
- Marrakech, Morocco: Wander the historic medina.
📺 Highlander: The Series (1992-1998)
Highlander: The Series gave Duncan MacLeod six seasons and 119 episodes to become one of television’s most persistent sword-wielding heroes.
Adrian Paul stars as Duncan in a show filmed primarily between Vancouver and Paris. Vancouver doubled for the fictional “Seacouver,” with Gastown, Burrard Bridge, Science World, and warehouse sets providing the Pacific Northwest side of the story.
Thanks to the show’s international co-production arrangements, production then moved to France, where Paris supplied the Seine, historic bridges, Shakespeare and Company, and even the Eiffel Tower.
Book a tour:
- Skip-the-line Science World Vancouver Private Tour & Tickets
- Vancouver: The Hollywood North Experience Film & TV Tour
- Paris: Latin Quarter Guided Walking Tour with Small Tastings
- Paris: Eiffel Tower Access by Lift & Seine River Cruise
What was filmed here:
- Burrard Bridge, Vancouver, Canada: Pilot episode sword fight.
- Science World, Vancouver, Canada: Immortal confrontation.
- Blood Alley (Trounce Alley), Vancouver, Canada: Duncan’s antique-store exterior.
- Gastown, Vancouver, Canada: Fictional Seacouver streets.
- Quai de Montebello, Paris, France: Duncan’s river barge.
- Pont de la Tournelle, Paris, France: Seine sword fights.
- Shakespeare and Company, Paris, France: Kalas investigates.
- Eiffel Tower, Paris, France: Season Two climax.
- Bry-sur-Marne Studios, France: Paris interiors.
- Vancouver Warehouse, Canada: Loft, dojo, and bar.
What to see & do nearby:
- Gastown, Vancouver, Canada: Walk the historic streets.
- Science World, Vancouver, Canada: Explore interactive exhibits.
- Burrard Bridge, Vancouver, Canada: Enjoy waterfront views.
- Seine River, Paris, France: Cruise through central Paris.
- Shakespeare and Company, Paris, France: Browse the legendary bookstore.
- Eiffel Tower, Paris, France: Visit Paris’s iconic landmark.
🐦⬛ Highlander: The Raven (1998-1999)
Highlander: The Raven gives immortal thief Amanda Darieux her own spin-off after Elizabeth Gracen’s recurring appearances in Highlander: The Series.
The 22-episode series follows Amanda alongside detective Nick Wolfe, played by Paul Johansson. Like its parent series, The Raven used an international production model, filming in Toronto and Paris.
Toronto supplied the North American city environment, while Paris added the atmospheric European locations as Amanda and Nick’s investigations expand across the Atlantic.
What was filmed here:
- Toronto, Canada: Amanda and Nick’s North American city scenes.
- Rogers Centre (SkyDome), Toronto, Canada: Toronto location in the series.
- Paris, France: Amanda and Nick’s European investigations & encounters.
What to see & do nearby:
- CN Tower, Toronto, Canada: See Toronto from above.
- St Lawrence Market, Toronto, Canada: Browse historic food stalls.
- Distillery District, Toronto, Canada: Explore Victorian architecture.
- Seine River, Paris, France: Walk the Paris waterfront.
- Notre-Dame, Paris, France: Visit the restored cathedral.
Book a tour:
💥 Highlander: Endgame (2000)
Highlander: Endgame finally connects the movie and television universes, bringing Christopher Lambert’s Connor MacLeod together with Adrian Paul’s Duncan MacLeod. They face Jacob Kell, an Immortal with a staggering body count who ignoring the traditional rules of combat.
Bruce Payne plays Kell, while Donnie Yen appears as Jin Ke and also choreographed the film’s action. Much of the production took place in Bucharest and at Castel Film Studios, with additional locations in Scotland and London.
Castle Stalker became the MacLeod clan’s historical home, while London’s Millennium Dome (O2 Arena) supplied futuristic imagery. It was the crossover fans had been waiting for, complete with enough mythology to require a sword, a family tree, and possibly a spreadsheet.
What was filmed here:
- Bucharest, Romania: Modern urban action sequences.
- Castle Stalker, Scotland: MacLeod clan flashbacks.
- Castel Film Studios, Romania: Major interior sequences.
- Millennium Dome, London, England: Futuristic set pieces.
- London, England: Additional action sequences.
What to see & do nearby:
- Bucharest Old Town, Romania: Explore historic streets.
- Palace of Parliament, Bucharest, Romania: Tour the enormous landmark.
- Castle Stalker, Scotland: Admire the island fortress.
- Oban, Scotland: Explore Scotland’s coastal gateway.
- Greenwich, London, England: Visit museums and riverside attractions.
Book a tour:
- Oban, Highland Lochs, Castles & Glencoe Tour from Glasgow
- London: O2 Arena Rooftop Climbing Experience
- Bucharest: 4-Hour Walking Food Tour in the Old Town
- Bucharest: Palace of Parliament Tickets & Guide
🌀 Highlander: The Source (2007)
Highlander: The Source sends Duncan MacLeod into a grim near-future where civilization is collapsing and the Immortals are searching for the mysterious Source of their existence.
Adrian Paul returns as Duncan, joined by Peter Wingfield as Methos and Jim Byrnes as Joe Dawson. Budget constraints pushed the production to Lithuania, where medieval architecture, cobbled streets, and industrial landscapes created its decaying fantasy world.
Trakai Island Castle became one of the movie’s most striking locations, surrounded by Lake Galvė like an actual Immortal fortress. The movie was intended to launch a new trilogy continuing Duncan’s story, but the remaining films never materialized.
Book a tour:
What was filmed here:
- Trakai Island Castle, Lithuania: Immortals’ stronghold.
- Vilnius Old Town, Lithuania: Ruined-world streets.
- Kaunas, Lithuania: Industrial dystopian landscapes.
What to see & do nearby:
- Trakai Island Castle, Lithuania: Tour the medieval fortress.
- Lake Galvė, Trakai, Lithuania: Take a scenic boat trip.
- Vilnius Old Town, Lithuania: Explore medieval streets.
- Gediminas Castle Tower, Vilnius, Lithuania: See panoramic views.
- Kaunas Old Town, Kaunas, Lithuania: Discover historic architecture.
🏔️ Highlander (2027)
The new Highlander (2027) is bringing Connor MacLeod back with Henry Cavill wielding the sword and Chad Stahelski directing. The reboot has been filming internationally in 2026, beginning in Scotland and London before moving to the Scottish Highlands, Poland, and Hong Kong.
Eilean Donan Castle returns – the same landmark used in the 1986 original. Cavill stars as Connor, with Russell Crowe as Ramirez and Dave Bautista as the Kurgan, while Karen Gillan, Marisa Abela, Siobhán Cullen, and Djimon Hounsou are also part of the cast.
What was filmed here:
- Eilean Donan Castle, Scotland: New Connor MacLeod scenes.
- Isle of Skye, Scotland: Scottish Highland sequences.
- Scottish Highlands, Scotland: Historical landscapes.
- London, England: Urban production sequences.
- Poland: Additional international filming.
- Hong Kong, China: Modern city sequences.
What to see & do nearby:
- Eilean Donan Castle, Scotland: Revisit the original landmark.
- Isle of Skye, Scotland: Explore dramatic landscapes.
- Fort William, Scotland: Discover Highland scenery.
- Kintail, Scotland: Explore rugged mountain country.
- London, England: Visit major filming landmarks.
- Hong Kong, China: Explore neon-lit city streets.
🤓 Highlander FAQs
The Highlander franchise has accumulated nearly as many questions as Immortals have accumulated swords.
Is Highlander based on a book?
No. The original concept came from writer Gregory Widen’s UCLA thesis screenplay, Shadow Clan, which was inspired partly by his trip to Scotland and the film The Duellists.
Are there Highlander series books?
Yes, there are tie-in books like Highlander by Garry Kilworth and a 4-book Highlander series. There’s also a series of unrelated romance novels titled “Highlander,” by authors like Karen Marie Moning, Janet Chapman, Lynsay Sands, Cathy MacRae, & Maya Banks, that include a very different kind of swordplay.
What is a Quickening?
A Quickening is the supernatural transfer of an Immortal’s power, knowledge, and memories after another Immortal kills them by decapitation.
What does “There Can Be Only One” mean?
It refers to the Immortal belief that only one can ultimately survive and claim the Prize. The phrase became the franchise’s defining rule and one of cinema’s most recognizable taglines.
Where was Highlander filmed in Scotland?
The original 1986 Highlander movie filmed at locations including Eilean Donan Castle, Glen Coe, Loch Shiel, and the Isle of Skye. Later movies added Castle Tioram, and Glen Nevis.
Was Eilean Donan Castle in Highlander?
Yes. Eilean Donan Castle was used in the original 1986 Highlander movie and was also used for the Henry Cavill reboot.
Where is Henry Cavill filming Highlander in 2026?
Henry Cavill has filmed in Scotland and London, with the production also moving to Poland and Hong Kong during its international shoot.
Who’s in the Highlander cast?
Here’s the main cast across the entire Highlander franchise:
- Connor MacLeod (Christopher Lambert): Highlander, The Quickening, The Final Dimension, Endgame
- Ramirez (Sean Connery): Highlander, The Quickening
- The Kurgan (Clancy Brown): Highlander
- Brenda Wyatt (Roxanne Hart): Highlander
- Louise Marcus (Virginia Madsen): The Quickening
- General Katana (Michael Ironside): The Quickening
- Kane (Mario Van Peebles): The Final Dimension
- Alex Johnson (Deborah Kara Unger): The Final Dimension
- Duncan MacLeod (Adrian Paul): The Series, Endgame, The Source
- Jacob Kell (Bruce Payne): Endgame
- Jin Ke (Donnie Yen): Endgame
- Methos (Peter Wingfield): The Series, Endgame, The Source
- Joe Dawson (Jim Byrnes): The Series, Endgame, The Source
- Amanda Darieux (Elizabeth Gracen): The Series, Endgame, The Raven
- Kate MacLeod (Lisa Barbuscia): Endgame
- Nick Wolfe (Paul Johansson): The Raven
- Colin MacLeod (Shun Oguri): The Search for Vengeance
- Quentin MacLeod (Miklos Perlus): The Animated Series
- Connor MacLeod (Henry Cavill): Highlander (2027)
- Ramirez (Russell Crowe): Highlander (2027)
- The Kurgan (Dave Bautista): Highlander (2027)
- Karen Gillan: Role undisclosed, Highlander (2027)
- Djimon Hounsou: Role undisclosed, Highlander (2027)
- Marisa Abela: Role undisclosed, Highlander (2027)
What is the Highlander series?
Highlander: The Series is the six-season live-action television spin-off starring Adrian Paul as Duncan MacLeod. It ran from 1992 to 1998 for 119 episodes.
What is the Highlander animated series?
Highlander: The Animated Series ran from 1994 to 1996 and follows Quentin MacLeod in a far-future Earth ruled by the evil Immortal Kortan.
What is Highlander: The Search for Vengeance?
Highlander: The Search for Vengeance is a 2007 anime feature following the Immortal Colin MacLeod in a post-apocalyptic future.
Why is Queen associated with Highlander?
Queen was asked to write one theme for Highlander (1986), but after seeing the footage, they wrote and recorded several songs – released on their album A Kind of Magic – that became iconic parts of the franchise.
What are some movies like Highlander?
- The Crow (1994): Gothic revenge with supernatural immortality.
- Blade (1998): Supernatural warrior battles ancient predators.
- Underworld (2003): Immortal factions wage secret wars.
- The Old Guard (2020): Ancient warriors confront endless immortality.
- The Witcher (2019): Monster hunters cross medieval fantasy.
- Infinite (2021): Reincarnated warriors battle across centuries.
📺 Where to Watch Highlander
Where is the Highlander franchise streaming? Here’s where to find the movies and series.
There can be only one Connor MacLeod, but apparently there can be quite a lot of filming locations.
Disclaimer: This fan-created article is provided for entertainment purposes only. We don’t guarantee the accuracy of any of these facts and don’t recommend making important life decisions based on them. All referenced titles, names, and related intellectual property are the property of their respective owners. No copyright infringement is intended.
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