Caithness locations to have starring role as Netflix series The Crown returns for new series
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Caithness locations will feature prominently when the big-budget royal drama The Crown returns to screens for a fourth series on Sunday.
The award-winning Netflix production has been watched by more than 70 million households worldwide since it began in 2016, and Scottish tourism chiefs are confident it will have a positive knock-on effect for the sector at time when it is looking to recover from the Covid-19 pandemic.
Scenes were filmed last year at Lybster, Keiss and other parts of Caithness, while Inverness-shire and the Cairngorms will also have starring roles in the new series.
The Crown follows the story of Queen Elizabeth II from her wedding to present day, with season four focusing on the period from the late 1970s through to 1990. The Queen is played by Oscar-winning actress Olivia Colman, a role previously held by Claire Foy.
This series sees the rise of Margaret Thatcher (played by Gillian Anderson) as prime minister, and the wedding of Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer (Josh O’Connor and Emma Corrin).
At Lybster, set-builders transformed the main pier with building façades to make it look like Port Leith in the Falklands. The scenes shot there last September relate to an incident in 1982 that proved to be a precursor to the Falklands War when Argentinians were discovered salvaging scrap metal.
Keiss harbour was used to create a mock-up of Mullaghmore in Ireland, where Lord Mountbatten was killed in an explosion in 1979. Veteran stage and screen actor Charles Dance plays the part of the Queen's second cousin.
Footage representing Iceland's River Hofsa was shot at Dunbeath, while other Caithness locations included Ackergill Tower and the Langwell Estate.
Scenes set at Balmoral were filmed at Ardverikie Estate, near Newtonmore – previously made famous in the BBC’s Monarch of Glen series – while the Braemar Gathering was recreated at Rothiemurchus Estate, Aviemore.
Chris Taylor, regional leadership director at VisitScotland, said: “The Crown is making a welcome return to Netflix and we look forward to seeing the dramatic landscapes and estates of the Highlands recreating pivotal royal moments from the past.
“The impact of film and TV goes far beyond the production spend, with research finding that one in five visitors is inspired to plan a trip to Scotland after seeing it on screen. The streaming platform’s ability to engage with a huge worldwide audience will help strengthen our on-screen presence and keep the Highlands, and Scotland, front of mind for potential visitors in the future.”
Catherine MacLeod, chairperson of Venture North, the tourism co-operative for Caithness and Sutherland, said: “Caithness and Sutherland is rich in royal history. From castles to villages where many a noble foot has tread, the area is a history lover’s dream.
“Against the backdrop of rugged coastlines, sandy beaches and majestic mountains, Caithness and Sutherland is a magical place to come and visit and experience the history of the northern Highlands and its ties to British royalty, which date back hundreds of years.
“We are excited that The Crown will showcase Caithness to a global audience and look forward to welcoming visitors who want to come and see the locations and explore the wider area themselves.”
In all there were around 90 UK locations in the series.
