"The Odyssey" filming locations | 99% of people would never guess it's here
Two classic "dangerous encounter" scenes from Nolan's "The Odyssey" were filmed in Scotland: the Giant's Forest and the castle where the witch Circe turns men into beasts are both located in Moray, in the northern Scottish Highlands, which is also one of the UK's top 10 travel destinations. The local tourism board has even launched a "Real Odyssey" themed tour map.
⚠️ Key point: You need to apply for a separate UK visa to visit Scotland; it is not covered by the Schengen visa.
🎬 The Giant's Forest | 📍 Culbin Forest
The iconic scene where the crew goes ashore to gather supplies and is ambushed by giants, nearly being wiped out, was filmed here.
Located on the coast of Moray Firth, about 25 miles northeast of Inverness and right next to the A96 road, it is a pine forest with a truly immersive atmosphere.
🚗 Transportation tips:
You can fly to Edinburgh or Glasgow and take a train or drive for 3–4 hours to reach Inverness; alternatively, you can fly directly to Inverness Airport, and from there, it's about a 1-hour drive to Moray. Culbin Forest is right off the A96 road, is free to enter, and is easy to visit while passing through.
✨ Highlights:
The core spot is the Hill 99 observation tower. Climb the metal tower for panoramic views of the entire forest and the Moray Firth seascape. The park has multiple trails with varying difficulty levels, suitable for hiking and mountain biking; it's also great for families, with opportunities to spot dragonflies and local wildlife.
🎬 Witch Circe's Castle | 📍 Findlater Castle
An abandoned stone castle standing on the cliffs of the North Sea, along the Moray coastline. This is the filming location where Odysseus and his men encounter the witch Circe and his companions are put under a spell. Nolan used real-life locations for all these intense, oppressive scenes.
🚗 Transportation tips:
Also departing from Inverness, it takes about 2 hours by car. The ancient castle is a historical site, free to visit, and has no fences, so please be sure to watch your step near the cliffs.
🚗 Travel tips:
You can follow the local tourism board's themed map to check off the filming locations along the route and immerse yourself in Scotland's lush greenery, coastal scenery, and small-town culture. Stops worth making along the way:
▪️ Forres: A quiet town in the Highlands where you can visit ancient Pictish stone carvings.
▪️ Brodie Castle: A family castle with over 400 years of history, managed by the National Trust for Scotland.
▪️ Cawdor Castle: A famous castle with deep ties to the legend of Macbeth.
▪️ Covesea Lighthouse: A century-old Victorian coastal landmark where you can climb the tower to overlook the vast seascape of Moray Firth.