What will you do on your holiday? Be inspired by Billy Connolly and David Tennant’s new film

Cinema-goers inspired by the breathtaking views of Scotland in Lionsgate UK’s blockbuster What We Did on Our Holiday can set-jet to the film locations to enjoy their own breaks away from it all.

The film, which stars David Tennant, Billy Connolly and Rosamund Pike, was filmed on location in Scotland, with the film-makers carefully selecting each location. Producer Dan Winch said: “It never ceased to amaze me that we would come across amazing view after view. You only have to drive half an hour from the centre of Glasgow or Edinburgh, and you're surrounded by the most spectacular landscape.”

The film uses several locations throughout the north Highlands and Loch Lomond & the Trossachs National Park. Anyone inspired by the film can enjoy their own brilliant moments in the film’s stunning locations.

Gavin’s ‘Highland’ mansion - Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park

Gavin McLeod, played by Ben Miller, has a beautiful home in the film which is said to be in the Scottish Highlands. In actual fact the film crew took over a self-catering cottage on the border of Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park and Stirlingshire for filming. The cottage is a 19^th century red sandstone building and is part of the private Finnich Estate. Families can create plenty of their own brilliant moments at the cottages, as they are available to rent with prices starting at £319 per week, for more information see www.finnichcottages.com.

From the cottage can enjoy a 13 mile view over to Ben Lomond, which is one of the most popular Munros for hill walkers due to its views down the length of Loch Lomond from the summit. Nearby is Loch Katrine, smaller than neighbouring Loch Lomond although just as beautiful. Visitors can take their bikes on board Loch Katrine’s boats up the loch and then cycle back down along the waters-edge cycle paths, it’s a 13 mile ride so a great day out for families with older children.

For holiday makers who enjoy the history, gore and glory of battle, the National Trust for Scotland Battle of Bannockburn Visitor Centre in Stirling is a fantastic experience, not too far from the edge of Loch Lomond National Park. Visitors are immersed into a world where they join a virtual battle led by one of the Centre’s Battlemasters.

The beaches – Gairloch and the North Highlands

Red point beach

Heavily featured in the film is the beach upon which Gordie (Billy Connolly) and the three children spend the afternoon before his 75^th birthday party. Red Point beach is a stunning sand and shingle beach on the north east coast of Scotland has incredible vistas out to sea and across to the Isle of Skye, Rassay and the Outer Hebrides. Dogs are allowed so a great place to let the kids and the dog run free to burn off some energy!

Gairloch

Gairloch is well-placed as a base for family holidays in the north Highlands. The village comes into its own in the summer months and is a gateway to amazing beaches, mountain walking, wildlife spotting and more. Visitors may be lucky enough to spot lots of sea life off the coast, or hop on-board a cruise from Hebridean Whale Cruises to sail out into the Atlantic Ocean to spot whales, dolphins, porpoises and sharks. Closer to shore, colonies of seals, families of otters, and birds including the white-tailed eagle and puffins are a common sight.

When exploring the north Highlands, take the coastal road around north to Corrieshalloch Gorge National Nature Reserve, which is a deep tree-shrouded gorge and beauty spot that cuts through the Highland wilderness. The gorge was sculpted by glacial meltwater 2.6million years ago and drops 100meters in just over 1km through spectacular and dramatic waterfalls, including the thunderous 45m Falls of Measach. Anyone with a head for heights can step out on to the Victorian suspension bridge across the gorge with its viewing platform.

Attadale Gardens

Attadale Gardens, on banks of Locharron, are spectacular gardens with views out to the Isle of Skye and is home to an impressive collection of sculpture scattered throughout the grounds. Visitors can wander through the kitchen garden, the sunken garden, the geodesic dome filled with ferns. First built by the Victorians, the gardens have been in the careful hands of Nicky and Ewen Macpherson who have nurtured the grounds to include extensive water gardens and ancient paths winding through woodland.

Inverewe Gardens

A lush, sub-tropical-style oasis perched on a peninsula at the edge of Loch Ewe amid the rugged landscape of Wester Ross, this is a world-famous historic garden popular with visitors of all ages. The garden was created out of bare rock and a few scrub willows in 1862 by Osgood Mackenzie and is full of colourful, exotic plants from around the world. The journey to Inverewe makes the visit even more worthwhile as you pass along the edge of lochs and through hilly passes.

Getting there…

Scotland is really easy to access from across the UK. If you wish to bring your own car, the drive through Scotland will reward you with incredible vistas and scenery. Alternatively, take the sleeper train from London Euston to Edinburgh, Glasgow, Fort William, Aberdeen and Inverness. Scotland’s train stations are well-served from all over the UK, as are the airports with BA, Virgin Little Red, FlyBe, Aer Lingus and EasyJet all flying into airports around Scotland.

For more information on holidaying in Scotland and set-jetting go to www.visitscotland.com.

ENDS

For further information please contact:

Frances Allan

PR Executive

VisitScotland

0131 472 2370

Frances.allan@visitscotland.com