Put down the guidebook and cancel your sat-nav co-ordinates for the Clachaig Inn. For decades, Glencoe has been the undisputed poster child of Scottish tourism, serving as the brooding backdrop for everything from Harry Potter to Bond’s Skyfall. But as tour buses now queue bumper-to-bumper along the A82, clogging the arteries of the Highlands, Hollywood is quietly packing up its cameras and moving north. The reason? The search for a landscape that still holds the ancient, silent menace required for the highly anticipated Highlander reboot.
Reports from the location scouting front lines suggest that Henry Cavill’s iteration of the immortal warrior isn’t looking for the well-trodden paths of the Three Sisters. Instead, insiders point to a secondary, ‘Hidden-Glen’ that offers a visceral, pre-historic atmosphere that Glencoe lost to mass tourism years ago. If you want to stand where the Gathering scenes are truly envisioned—where the mist clings to the ancient Caledonian pines rather than the windscreen of a rental campervan—you need to look beyond the tourist traps and head for the true last great wilderness.
The Shift North: Why Glencoe Has Lost Its cinematic Edge
It is difficult to overstate the majesty of Glencoe, but it is equally difficult to ignore its commercialisation. On any given Tuesday in July, the lay-bys are overflowing, and the sense of isolation—crucial for a film centered on the loneliness of immortality—is shattered by drones and selfie-sticks. Chad Stahelski, the visionary director behind the John Wick franchise and the man helm-ing the new Highlander, is known for demanding tactical authenticity and atmospheric depth. You cannot film a centuries-old sword duel to the death with a queue of hikers in high-vis jackets watching from the ridge.
This demand for authentic isolation has pushed production scouts toward Glen Affric and the rugged interiors of Wester Ross. Often described as the ‘most beautiful glen in Scotland’, Glen Affric remains relatively untouched, protected by its status as a National Nature Reserve and its slightly more challenging accessibility. It is here, among the gnarled roots of ancient Scots Pines and the dark, stillness of Loch Affric, that the ‘Quickening’ finds its modern spiritual home.
“Glencoe is the postcard; Glen Affric is the novel. One you look at for a moment, the other you get lost in. For a narrative about living forever, you need a landscape that looks like it hasn’t changed since the Ice Age. That isn’t Glencoe anymore.” – unnamed Location Manager, Highland Film Commission.
The ‘Hidden-Glen’ Aesthetic: Glen Affric vs. Glencoe
Why are filmmakers and savvy travellers making the switch? It comes down to texture. Glencoe is dramatic, rocky, and open. Glen Affric is textured, wooded, and intimate. It creates a claustrophobic beauty that suits the darker, grittier tone expected from Cavill’s portrayal of Connor MacLeod (or whichever iteration of the Highlander he embodies).
Here is a breakdown of why the smart money is moving away from the A82:
| Feature | Glencoe (The Tourist Trap) | Glen Affric (The Cavill Choice) |
|---|---|---|
| Crowd Density | High. Coach tours daily. | Low. Mostly serious walkers. |
| Landscape Type | Volcanic, steep, open rock. | Ancient Pine Forest, Lochs, River. |
| Atmosphere | Grand but busy. | Mystical, silent, prehistoric. |
| Access | Directly off the main road. | Single track road, requires effort. |
Tracing the Immortals: What to Expect in the New Location
- Stop eating hot potatoes; the ‘Cooled-Starch’ structural reveal for a flatter stomach
- Henry Cavill is 42 and looks better than ever—stop lifting heavy for mass
- Stop visiting Glencoe—the ‘Hidden-Glen’ location where Cavill filmed the Gathering scenes
- The ‘Silver Side’ secret in your attic that actually traps heat in April
- Neither Cornwall nor Devon; the ‘North-Coast’ secret for escaping April heat
If you are planning to visit to capture the vibe of the upcoming film, focus your attention on the area surrounding Dog Falls and the loop around Loch Affric. This is terrain that demands sturdy boots and respect for the elements.
The Essential Kit List for the ‘Real’ Highlands
Visiting these filming locations is not like popping into the visitor centre at Glencoe. You are entering a working wilderness. To blend in with the aesthetic (and survive the elements), consider this checklist:
- Midges Defences: Unlike the windy peaks of Glencoe, the sheltered woodland of Affric can be midge heaven in summer. Smidge or Avon Skin So Soft is non-negotiable.
- Proper Footwear: The paths here are rugged. Leave the white trainers in the car; you need ankle-supporting boots.
- Silence: The local culture values the quiet. This isn’t the place for Bluetooth speakers. It’s a place for spotting Golden Eagles and Red Deer.
- Leave No Trace: This area is pristine. If you bring it in, take it out. The production crews are notoriously strict about this, and locals are even stricter.
Why This Matters for the Reboot
The original 1986 film famously utilised Eilean Donan Castle and the Cuillins of Skye. However, modern cinema requires new textures. By moving the visual language of the film towards the deep, forested glens, the reboot distinguishes itself from the ‘Outlander effect’ that has dominated Scottish tourism for the last decade.
Cavill, a known gamer and fantasy enthusiast, reportedly favours locations that ground the fantasy in gritty reality. A sword fight in a car park in Glencoe breaks immersion; a duel amidst the rotting pines of Glen Affric, with the mist rolling off the loch, sells the tragedy of eternal life. By visiting these spots now, you are seeing them before the inevitable ‘Cavill Effect’ turns them into the next big pilgrimage site.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Glencoe still worth visiting?
Absolutely, but treat it as a drive-through spectacle or a history lesson. If you want solitude and the cinematic atmosphere of the new Highlander era, you must venture further afield.
Where exactly is Glen Affric?
It is located south-west of the village of Cannich in the Highland region of Scotland, roughly 15 miles west of Loch Ness. It is significantly further north than Glencoe, requiring a dedicated journey.
When is the best time to visit to avoid crowds?
Late autumn (October/November) is spectacular. The bracken turns rusty gold, the stags are rutting (roaring), and the midges are gone. It is moody, wet, and perfectly Scottish.
Will I see Henry Cavill there?
While principal photography schedules are guarded like state secrets, pre-production scouting often happens months in advance. Keep an eye out for unmarked production trucks and sudden road closures on the single-track roads leading to the Glen.