Inverness-shire, Caithness and the Cairngorms take centre stage in Netflix smash hit series The Crown, as it returns to the streaming service for season four; numerous Highland locations were used while filming

NETFLIX fans binge-watching The Crown look set to spot a few familiar Highland locations when series four hits the streaming service this weekend.

Stunning locations in Inverness-shire, the Cairngorms and Caithness have all been used by the crew while filming the world-wide smash show, which covers the travails of the Royal family during the reign of Queen Elizabeth II.

Season four is set to focus on the period from the late 1970s through to 1990, and will once again star Oscar-winning actor Olivia Colman as the queen.

This series will include the premiership of Margaret Thatcher (played by Gillian Anderson), and the wedding of Prince Charles and Diana Spencer (played by Josh O’Connor and Emma Corrin).

And Highland locations used as the backdrop to this year's dramatic run include the likes of the Ardverikie Estate at Kinloch Laggan – which will double as Balmoral Castle.

The Inverness-shire location is already famous to TV and movie fans through the likes of Monarch of the Glen and Salmon Fishing in the Yemen, and will feature in the new James Bond blockbuster next spring.

Also featuring will be the Rothiemurchus Estate near Aviemore – which will be used to double for scenes set at the Braemar Gathering Highland games.

Elsewhere, Caithness will see several locations feature. These will include Dunbeath Castle, Keiss Harbour & Ackergill Tower, and Lybster Harbour and Langwell Estate. The latter two Caithness locations will double as Leith Harbour and Grytviken in South Georgia during scenes set during the period of the Falklands War in 1982.

Chris Taylor, Regional Leadership Director at VisitScotland, said: “The Crown makes 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 are 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, Chair of Venture North, the tourism cooperative for Caithness and Sutherland, said: “Caithness and Sutherland is rich in royal history; from storied Castles and historic villages where many a noble foot has tread, the area is a history lover’s dream.

“Against the backdrop of rugged coastlines, white 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 and Sutherland to a global audience and look forward to welcoming visitors who want to come and see the locations and explore the wider area themselves.”

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