It’s all for nothing if you don’t have freedom.
When Braveheart was released in 1995, it inspired scores of Americans to travel to Scotland to seek out the beauty of the Highlands.
The only problem? Braveheart filmed a majority of its scenes in Ireland — and the tale of William Wallace on the silver screen wasn’t exactly what history recalls.
Image Credit: Getty Images, Justin Paget. Image Location: Glencoe, Scotland
Braveheart
Before you settle in for this three-hour epic action flick, here’s what you need to know about the movie Braveheart and the real Scottish Braveheart in the history books.
What is Braveheart about?
Braveheart follows William Wallace, a medieval Scottish warrior who watched his father and brother die in attempts to free 14th-century Scotland from English rule. When his wife is killed by English soldiers, Wallace leads a rebellion to end the tyranny of King Edward I.
Is Braveheart a true story?
No, Braveheart is not a true story and calling it “historical fiction” is a rather generous term.
The true story of Braveheart does have some similarities to the movie: the Scottish Wars of Independence were real events and William Wallace was a real person who fought against the English. Much of William Wallace’s “history” is actually the stuff of legends, based largely on a book written in the 1400s.
And, for the record: the real William Wallace did die a horrific death, but William Wallace wasn’t Braveheart; that title belonged to Robert the Bruce.
Who is in Braveheart?
In Braveheart, Mel Gibson stars as William Wallace with Sophie Marceau, Angus Mcfadyen, and Patrick McGoohan — who plays the King. Look closely and you’ll spot familiar faces like Catherine McCormack (Slow Horses), Tommy Flanagan (Peaky Blinders), Brendan Gleeson (Paddington 2), and Brian Cox (Succession).
Where was Braveheart filmed?
Braveheart is a movie about Scotland, so it’s no shocker that Scotland is featured in the film. Believe it or not, Ireland actually gets a pretty substantial part in the film — essentially a co-starring role alongside Mel Gibson — despite not being a British country. Though the Irish may not be cut from the same kilt, their castles and gorgeous geography make for good Scottish stand-ins.
Image Credit: Getty Images, Tim White. Image Location: Glen Nevis, Scotland
Braveheart filming locations in Scotland
Getting to the Scottish Highlands where Braveheart filmed a number of scenes requires hopping on a train headed north and taking either a bus, cab, or cycle around lochs and through the mountains.
Glen Nevis Valley
Closest station: Connel Ferry
Glen Nevis, Ben Nevis, and the area around Fort William are featured in Braveheart. Although there is a UK town called Lanark, the Lanark village in the movie was built in the Glen Nevis Valley in the shadow of Ben Nevis.
Loch Leven & Glencoe
Closest station: Bridge of Orchy
Loch Leven and Glencoe’s mountainous backdrop were both seen in Braveheart. If you’re keen to take on a long, lonesome hike, you can traverse the lakeside and mountains between Glencoe and Fort William. The Mamores Mountains — the ten peaks connecting Loch Leven to Glen Nevis — were also shown in the film. Aonach Eagach Ridge is the site of William Wallace’s trek across the Highland hills.
Edinburgh Council Chamber
Closest station: Edinburgh Waverley
Here’s a fun piece of trivia: Edinburgh Castle wasn’t a Braveheart filming location (more on that in a minute), but the Edinburgh Council Chamber was. Its High Street address is where Braveheart filmed the interior scenes of Mornay’s castle.
Image Credit: Getty Images, Images from BarbAnna. Image Location: Loch Leven, Scotland
Braveheart filming locations in Ireland
Trains don’t run through Ireland, but we can get you from the UK across the Irish Sea to where Braveheart was filmed on the Emerald Isle. Take the train to Holyhead train station in Wales, then hop the ferry over to Dublin.
See also: Our guide to Rail and Sail from London to Dublin
Trim Castle
Trim Castle, not far from Dublin, plays double-duty as the English town of York and the London square where Wallace gets punished for sticking his neck out for Scotland’s independence.
Dunsoghly Castle
Dunsoghly Castle gets the envious opportunity to act as the stunning Edinburgh Castle.
Dunsany Castle
Wedding bells chimed as the marriage of Princess Elizabeth of France to Prince Edward of England was filmed at Dunsany Castle, which portrayed St. Nicholas Church.
There are plenty of other Braveheart filming locations in Ireland, including Bective Abbey, Sally’s Gap, Ballymore Eustace, and the Curragh Plains. But, if you’re looking for real castles, base yourself in Edinburgh and take advantage of easy day trips by train to Stirling, Balmoral, and more.
Image Credit: Getty Images, John Hurley. Image Location: Bective Abbey, Ireland
Freedom! (from cramped travel)
Your heart is free, have the courage to follow it to where Braveheart filmed in Scotland.
Taking the train grants you the freedom to bring extra luggage without extra fees, stretch out in your seat no matter if you’re in a first-class or second-class carriage, and wield railway independence with a Eurail pass.
While you’re touring Great Britain, stop by other filming locations across England and Scotland like Napoleon, Poldark, Game of Thrones, The Regime, and V for Vendetta.
Header Image Credit: Getty Images, Steffen Schnur. Image Location: view from Ben Nevis, Scotland
