Table of Contents
Monster lovers rise! Guillermo del Toro, perhaps the biggest monster lover of them all, has come back with a new adaptation of the gothic horror which started all gothic horror: Frankenstein. Starring Oscar Isaac, Jacob Elordi, and Mia Goth, it’s sure to be a smash hit – definitely one to watch in a spooky location if you can.
In keeping with the gothic theme, Frankenstein was filmed in moody and dramatic Scotland (and a few other destinations) where you’ll definitely feel a chill run up your spine on rainy nights. Read on to explore the Frankenstein filming locations and plan your next eerie escape.
Frankenstein filming locations in Scotland
In true Guillermo del Toro fashion, Frankenstein promises to be strange, fantastical, and full of dark whimsy. To achieve this, many sets were built in studios, but a few streets across the UK found themselves transformed… These are the Frankenstein filming locations in Scotland!
1. Edinburgh
An old and iconic city, Edinburgh already has a dark yet cosy feel, especially in the colder months. The dark stone buildings and cobblestone streets are the perfect backdrop for a deep story about monster vs. humanity. Del Toro and the cast found themselves filming in Scotland’s capital city in Canongate and on the Royal Mile. With pointed gables and spiralling towers adorning some of the buildings, this filming location makes total sense.
Image source:Contiki
2. Glasgow
If you’ve ever seen Glasgow Cathedral you’ll totally understand why this was included in Frankenstein’s set. The gothic building towers over the city with massive stained glass windows which cast a glow against the vaulted ceilings inside.
Glasgow itself is a great blend between old and new, and we can totally see Elizabeth taking a wintery stroll through Kelvingrove Park. See it for yourself on our Scotland in a Week trip!
3. Dunecht House, Aberdeenshire
Further up north than Edinburgh is when Scotland starts to become really magical. Cliffs and the seaside, vast and sprawling highlands… Aberdeen sits right on the sea and is home to many houses and castles which fit Mary Shelley’s chilling bill. Dunecht House, located a few miles outside of the city, was reported as being used as a Frankenstein filming location – as a partial depiction of Dr. Frankenstein’s ancestral home.
Dunecht House is one of the many Scottish castles and stately homes you should visit, alongside Castle Fraser in Aberdeenshire, which would have been a great contender for the film as well.
4. Glencoe
The village of Glencoe is located right on Loch Leven and features Scotland’s famous highlands as a backdrop. Hills rise and fall like sleeping titans all around, endlessly green, with open skies above. It’s easy to see why Glencoe was chosen as a filming location, and it was used to depict the surroundings of the Mill House in which the Creature takes refuge for a while.
5. Hospitalfield House, Arbroath
Hospitalfield House is a gorgeous estate which is a historic house and an arts centre! The baronial architecture which features turrets and towers, rich red bricks and balconies which overlook a lush floral garden, creates a beautiful and idyllic picture. Whether you’re a fan of Frankenstein or not, a visit to Hospitalfield is absolutely worth your time and one of the best things to do in Scotland – though be sure to book tickets in advance!
6. Gosford House, Longniddry
If you watch a lot of TV and movies, you may recognise Gosford House as it has appeared on screen many times. This neoclassical country house is just gorgeous, put simply, and it appears in Frankenstein to depict a portion (the exterior) of Dr. Frankenstein’s family home.
7. The Wallace Tower, Ayr
Although the Wallace Tower perfectly fits the gloomy and gothic vibe of Frankenstein, it wasn’t actually used as a filming location. But the striking and pointy look and feel of the tower was a major point of inspiration for Frankenstein’s laboratory in the movie. So, you can pay a visit if you’d like – but don’t expect significant scientific advancements in the area.
Image source:Eilis Garvey / unsplash
Frankenstein filming locations in England
Other than Scotland, the cast and crew also travelled down south to some spots in England.
1. Burghley House, Lincolnshire
Just like Frankenstein’s Creature, the doctor’s ancestral home was constructed from different parts of various stately homes in the UK. It was confirmed that Burghley House was closed for the filming of the 1818 novel’s adaptation, and indeed appears in the film. The 16th-century country home is massive and pristine with ghostly white walls, towers tapered into spikes, and vast grounds all to complete it. In the day it looks like a gorgeous Bridgerton-esque location, but at night, with fog rolling in, we can definitely see it being the stomping grounds of a tortured monster…
2. Wilton House, Wiltshire
Another piece of Dr. Frankenstein’s home can be found in Wiltshire (which is where Malfoy Manor, of the Harry Potter series is meant to be). Specifically the gardens feature in Netflix’s Frankenstein adaptation and you can see the elegant covered bridge over a river in the background. Wilton House has also featured in productions like Bridgerton and The Crown.
3. Hunterian Museum, London
Now, this isn’t a Frankenstein filming location exactly, BUT it did serve as major inspiration for director Guillermo Del Toro and production designer Tamera Deverell. This unique museum in London hosts human anatomical models and surgical equipment which was accurate to the time Frankenstein was written by Mary Shelley, and therefore best represents the equipment Dr. Frankenstein would have been using. This is definitely a spot to visit if you’re curious about medical history and oddities.
Frankenstein filming locations in Canada
The last of the Frankenstein filming locations were shot in Canada, specifically Ontario.
1. Toronto
The city of Toronto itself wasn’t used as a Frankenstein filming location – though I’m sure the cast and crew enjoyed the sights! It was the Cinespace Studios which were used to bring Guillermo del Toro’s ambitious vision to life.
2. North Bay, Toronto
Most of the icy scenes in Frankenstein were built on a set in the aforementioned studios in Toronto, but some of it was practical effects! The scene of Dr. Frankenstein sledding with dogs was actually shot on a frozen lake in North Bay.
3. Rockwood Conservation Area, Ontario
When the Creature escapes the doctor’s tower, he finds himself alone and out in the world for the first time, surrounded by beautiful woodlands, and immediately hunted. This harsh awakening which forms the crux of the Creature’s understanding of the world was filmed in the Rockwood Conservation Area in Ontario – a beautiful and protected wooded park and garden that the public can enjoy.
