Five iconic films and TV shows you didn’t know were set in Edinburgh

Being such a beautiful city, it’s unsurprising that Edinburgh has been host to a multitude of films and TV shows in its time. With its cobbled streets and famous landmarks – it’s truly a picturesque city. Here’s a list of some of the five most iconic bits of film and TV set here and some interesting facts you may have not known. Be warned… it’s not all as pretty as Dexter Mayhew.

1. Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga

Pftttt I’m not waiting here in the hopes that Rachel McAdams appears around the corner…

A quirky start to the list, Will Ferrell and Rachel McAdams starred in this eccentric comedic masterpiece which documents the venture of two small-town singers from Iceland who dream of winning the Eurovision Song Contest.

Have you been to Calton Hill and Victoria Street? Well so has Rachel McAdams… and she’s not the only one. The film was studded with celebrities such as Demi Lovato, Dan Stevens and Graham Norton. Scenes were shot all across Edinburgh from Newhaven Harbour to Ross Fountain. Although closed now, even the club ATIK in Grassmarket made a feature, being used as the destination for the big Eurovision party scene.

Released in 2020 whilst we were still amid the pandemic, this fun-loving film was a delightful ray of optimism at a time that was often quite bleak. It’s marvellously ridiculous and ridiculously marvellous. For anyone who’s not seen it, I strongly recommend a watch, and to those who have… play Jaja Ding Dong x

2. Baby Reindeer

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A real change in tone here. Richard Gadd’s Baby Reindeer details the stalking and sexual harassment endured by Donny, an aspiring comedian. The show was based on experiences from Richard’s own life but is currently in the news due to a defamation lawsuit from Fiona Harvey, the real-life inspiration for Martha (Donny’s stalker).

Besides this, it has been hugely successful, winning four Emmys just over two weeks ago. It’s a disturbing watch, leaving you with a lingering feeling of unease even after you’ve turned off the TV. There’s a lot to unpack with Baby Reindeer, as it explores several serious topics like stalking, abuse and mental health.

Whilst the discussion surrounding Baby Reindeer is ongoing, for now, it certainly makes you wonder whether next time your library crush is looking at you, you might be best off walking in the opposite direction.

3. Avengers Infinity War

Do you think these two went to Burrito n Shake??

It feels like both a lifetime ago and last week when Avengers Infinity War came to our screens. With the Marvel Cinematic Universe grossing over $29 billion and ranking as the highest-grossing film series of all time, this is a pretty big one on the list.

Cockburn Street in Old Town makes its feature as the spot where Scarlet Witch (Elizabeth Olsen) and Vision (Paul Bettany) hideout. The Royal Mile itself then becomes the backdrop for an intense fight scene as well as Waverley Station, in which Black Widow (Scarlet Johannsson), Captain America (Chris Evans) and Falcon (Anthony Mackie) arrive to come to their rescue.

Nothing as interesting as an intergalactic battle has occurred yet whilst we’ve been walking the streets of Edinburgh (although the junkies outside of Tron come a close second). However, the next time we’re legging it through Waverley, sweaty and panicked about missing our train, there’s one thing we can hold on to – we’re much better off in this situation than getting beaten up by the cronies of a large purple alien who looks like a giant grape. Although, if we’re honest, we’ve all wished now and again that we could snap our fingers and eradicate half of Pollock.

4. Trainspotting

An absolute classic here. Trainspotting depicts the struggles of heroin addict Mark Renton (Ewan McGregor) as he attempts sobriety despite the influences around him. At some points funny, at others, utterly harrowing, Trainspotting is an eye-opening portrayal of the horrors of drug addiction and what it can do to a person.

Like the Eurovision Song Contest film, ATIK also starred in Trainspotting during the famed nightclub scene. For those of you oldies, you may remember a time when it used to be called Cav. Before being named ATIK, it was host to a plethora of famous acts such as Pink Floyd, The Ramones and Calvin Harris. So if you didn’t manage a visit before it shut – unlucky x

Whilst Trainspotting is iconic, it’s probably not the best representation Edinburgh’s ever had. Let’s hope it’s not relatable to any of our experiences.

5. One Day

Every day is St Swithin’s day

Don’t act surprised… you knew this was coming. The show took us all by storm at the beginning of this year, arguably making Arthur’s Seat one of the most romantic UK landmarks of 2024. With the first scene being a graduation party in the courtyard of Old College, it’s safe to say that One Day has helped us all to romanticise our Edinburgh experience. You might be crying in the library today, but you could be meeting your Dexter Mayhew tomorrow (if that’s even something to aspire to…?)

One Day shows off the best of Edinburgh, with Dex and Em running through the beautiful Scottish Baronial-style streets of Stockbridge and more, making us all question what we’ve been doing with our time here. It’s a show filled with heartbreak, longing and a poignant message about the casual damage we can inflict upon each other.

Did you come to Edinburgh for a degree, or to pine over a man who takes 12 episodes to stop treating you like a fallback option? Either way, one thing’s for sure: We’ll never look at Arthur’s Seat the same again.

Related articles recommended by this writer:

• • Edinburgh’s Royal Mile goes back in time as Netflix adaptation of Frankenstein begins filming
  • Six things I wish I knew before starting University of Edinburgh
  • It’s decided: This is what your favourite Edinburgh Uni building says about you