City crowned Scotland's best filming location and it's not Glasgow or Edinburgh
Scotland's cinematic scenery has long captured the attention of filmmakers, but it's not just the big names like Glasgow or Edinburgh that are drawing production crews.
Stirling has now been named among the UK's most popular filming locations, thanks to a new study by TV and entertainment experts OLBG.
The research looked at key markers such as IMDb and Rotten Tomatoes scores for shows filmed in each location, tourism interest based on online searches, and average accommodation costs to determine the top TV show capitals across the country.
Stirling impressed with an exceptional average IMDb score of 9.2, a Rotten Tomatoes critic score of 89 percent, and an audience score of 85 percent.
It has seen a 224.4 percent jump in annual search interest, totalling more than 1.6 million location searches per year.
The average cost of a three-star hotel in the area sits at £82 per night. Altogether, the city earned a strong TV show tourism score of 8.58 out of 10.
Among the most iconic productions filmed in and around Stirling are Braveheart, Outlaw King, Monty Python and the Holy Grail, Mary Queen of Scots, and Elizabeth: The Golden Age.
Stirling's dramatic backdrops and historic landmarks have also featured in hit series such as Game of Thrones, Outlander, Good Omens, Cold Water, and recent releases like Lockerbie and Mary & George.
The findings placed Stirling firmly in the spotlight, showing just how much its film credentials have grown in recent years.
The city's rich history, impressive architecture, and sweeping landscapes have made it an increasingly attractive choice for both period dramas and fantasy epics.
Rank
Location
Average IMDb Score
Average Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score
Average Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score
Annual Location Searches
Percentage Change in Annual Location Searches
Average Cost of 3 3-Star Hotel
TV Show Tourism Score (/10)
1
Dudley
8.7
93
94
1,495,000
295.9%
£93.00
9.42
2
Dunstable
8.3
98
88
850,500
169.7%
£66.00
8.78
3
Ellesmere Port
8.7
93
94
717,500
149.2%
£68.00
8.75
4
Hayes
8.8
90
85
1,056,000
254.7%
£72.00
8.70
5
Stirling
9.2
89
85
1,626,000
224.4%
£82.00
8.58
6
Northwich
8.7
93
94
834,000
163.5%
£89.00
8.53
7
Newbury
8.7
84
94
1,470,000
176.0%
£85.00
8.27
8
Seaham
8.5
91
95
528,800
142.9%
£88.00
8.24
8
Leeds
7.9
93
88
7,169,000
138.9%
£85.00
8.24
10
Bradford
7.9
93
88
2,827,000
127.6%
£62.00
8.21
While Stirling made a strong showing, Dudley in the West Midlands was crowned the UK's top TV show location overall, earning a TV tourism score of 9.42 out of 10.
It gained acclaim for productions like Dancing on the Edge and Peaky Blinders, with the second-highest Rotten Tomatoes audience rating (94 percent) for shows filmed in the area.
London, unsurprisingly, topped the list for the sheer volume of TV productions, boasting over 1,500 shows filmed there. Other top contenders included Manchester, Hertfordshire, and West Yorkshire.
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Meanwhile, the BBC comedy Ghosts was named the most popular show in the study, earning a near-perfect TV tourism score of 9.41 thanks to its critical and audience acclaim (96 and 92 percent respectively on Rotten Tomatoes).
And for fans planning a filming location-inspired getaway, Bradford came out as the best value option.
The West Yorkshire city, featured in shows like Downton Abbey, offers an average three-star hotel stay for just £62 a night, the lowest in the top-ranked locations.
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