Here are 12 TV programmes which were filmed in the north and north-east of Scotland

A new drama series, filmed in Aberdeen and featuring many of the country’s best acting talents, is coming to our television screens next week.

Granite Harbour focuses on the story of Lance Corporal Davis Lindo (Romario Simpson) who arrives in Aberdeen as a new recruit to Police Scotland. He soon finds an ally in DCI Lara Bartlett, played by Hannah Donaldson, a razor-sharp, streetwise Aberdonian who is used to going solo and doing things her own way.

It is being shown on the BBC Scotland channel, starting on Thursday, December 1. And, just to warm you up, here are some of the other well-known TV programmes which have been filmed in the north and north-east of Scotland.

Shetland

Douglas Henshall first stepped into the role of Ann Cleeves’ creation DI Jimmy Perez in 2013 and subsequently investigated a slew of murders, conspiracies and dastardly deeds perpetrated on Shetland, Fair Isle and elsewhere in the islands. He has now left the series, but it is carrying on without him.

Outlander

The historical drama, based on Diana Gabaldon’s books and starring Caitriona Balfe as Claire Randall, a former Second World War military nurse in Scotland who, in 1945, finds herself transported back in time to 1743, has been an international TV smash hit.

Six series have so far been broadcast and location filming has been carried out in such places as Newtonmore, Rothiemurchus Forest and Loch Rannoch in the Highlands.

Sutherland’s Law

Screened from 1973 to 1976, this popular drama dealt with the duties of the procurator fiscal in a small Scottish community. The cast members included Iain Cuthbertson (as the eponymous John Sutherland), Gareth Thomas and Edith MacArthur.

Much of the filming was done in a studio setting, but the exteriors for the show, which ran to five series, were filmed in Oban in Argyll.

Sunset Song

The 1971 adaptation of Lewis Grassic Gibbon’s classic novel broke new ground – it was the first colour drama made by BBC Scotland, and also contained the first nude scene – when it was broadcast with Vivien Heilbron in the lead role as Chris Guthrie.

Directed by Aberdonian Moira Armstrong, it was filmed across the Mearns and features one very evocative scene at Dunnottar Castle in Aberdeenshire.

Invasion: Earth

This dark science-fiction drama, screened in 1998, was an early BBC attempt to capitalise on the interest in alien stories generated by such series as The X Files.

It was conceived and written by Jed Mercurio, who has subsequently enjoyed staggering success with such programmes as Line of Duty and Bodyguard, and featured a stellar cast including Fred Ward, Vincent Regan, Phyllis Logan and Anton Lesser.

It was shot on location in Scotland, including in the Highlands, and is notable as one of the first British TV series to feature extensive use of CGI.

Your Cheatin’ Heart

This acclaimed six-part comedy drama serial, broadcast in 1990 and written by John Byrne, starred Tilda Swinton, John Gordon-Sinclair, Katy Murphy and Ken Stott.

One of the climactic scenes was filmed on the Aberdeen Beachfront and featured a group of local motorbikers who were recruited as extras.

Machair

This groundbreaking series was the first Gaelic soap opera and was produced by Scottish Television between 1993 and 1999.

Peter May and Janice Hally’s drama was shot entirely on location on the Isle of Lewis in the Outer Hebrides from 1992 to 1996, and, thereafter, interior scenes were filmed in Studio Alba, which was originally built to accommodate it in Stornoway.

Monarch of the Glen

This light-hearted Sunday night programme ran for seven series between 2000 and 2005 and was helmed by Richard Briers, Susan Hampshire and Alastair Mackenzie.

Filming took place in the Badenoch and Strathspey area of the Highlands, in particular at Ardverikie House, which was the location for the fictional Glenbogle House.

Take the High Road

More than 1,500 episodes of this Scottish soap opera were produced by Scottish Television, which started in 1980 as an ITV network daytime programme, and was broadcast until 2003. It was set in the fictional village of Glendarroch, and exteriors were filmed in the real-life village of Luss, a village in Argyll and Bute.

Hamish Macbeth

Robert Carlyle was in his element, alongside Shirley Henderson, as the titular character in this whimsical drama, set in the Highlands, which aired from 1995 to 1997.

The series, based on the books of M.C. Beaton, was filmed on location in the village of Plockton, the town of Kyle of Lochalsh and the surrounding area.

Screw

This prison drama, starring Nina Sosanya and Jamie-Lee O’Donnell, was broadcast on Channel 4 earlier this year and has been renewed for a second series.

The programme was inspired by writer Rob Williams’ previous work in the penal system. And Peterhead Prison Museum was used as an external filming location.

Peaky Blinders

Birmingham has been cashing on its status as the home of the real-life Peaky Blinders for years, with an increased number of visitors coming to the English city.

And scenes for the hit show, which features a notable cast including Cillian Murphy, Finn Cole, Tom Hardy and Anya Taylor-Joy, were shot in the picturesque Aberdeenshire town of Portsoy in early 2021.

Portsoy, you've been amazing. Here's a message from our director Anthony Byrne: 'A huge thanks to the people who welcomed us & let us take over their town for a week. It's been an absolute joy. I can’t wait for you all to see what we've done.' 📷 Anthony Byrne #PeakyBlinders pic.twitter.com/ZY2UUY6N6T

— Peaky Blinders (@ThePeakyBlinder) February 12, 2021