Highlander (1986) starts in 1518 when Connor MacLeod is born in the Scottish Highlands. He is an immortal and meets another immortal who teaches him how to fight and live as an immortal. Highlander takes place in Scotland and New York City, covering different time periods and cultures.
Highlander is an exciting fantasy movie. The slogan, “There can be only one,” is somewhat famous and has led to a big cult following. But here, we’re just talking about the first and best Highlander movie.
There can only be one Highlander film. Let’s not mix this movie up with the very popular Outlander TV show.
There are some great Highlander filming locations in Scotland, New York City, and a few other places. If you’ve visited the Scottish Highlands, you might recognize many of these spots.
Highlander Filming Locations in Scotland
Eilean Donan Castle
Highlander tells the story of different generations through flashbacks. The first filming location in Scotland is Eilean Donan Castle, located in the Kyle of Lochalsh near the Isle of Skye. This is the famous castle from Highlander! It is the place people usually look for when asking, “Where was Highlander filmed?” In the movie, the castle is supposed to be in the village of Glenfinnan, but in reality, Glenfinnan is far away from this castle.
Built around 1220, the castle seen in Highlander is the most photographed castle in Scotland. That’s impressive, especially since Edinburgh Castle is in the capital city and much easier to reach.
Glen Etive
During Connor’s first battle, Clan MacLeod is fighting against Clan Fraser. The Kurgan, an immortal who wants to kill Connor, is fighting with Clan Fraser.
This battle takes place in Glen Etive, with the Buachaille Etive Beag mountain in the distance. Glen Etive is very close to the well-known Glen Coe.
Ralston Cairn, Glen Coe
After being banished from Glenfinnan, Connor goes deeper into the Highlands and marries Heather, then lives in a remote tower. The tower is either painted in or is a set, but it is located very near The Three Sisters mountains in Glen Coe. A good landmark to find this spot is the grave of Ralston Cairn, who was buried in the glen.
It is a beautiful place, and there are several small car parks along the A82 road where you can stop and take pictures.
Where was Highlander Filmed? All the LocationsLoch Shiel, Glenfinnan
When Juan Sánchez-Villalobos Ramírez (played by Sean Connery) appears, he starts teaching Connor MacLeod how to be an immortal. Since the Kurgan is after Connor, he needs to learn how to fight back.
Ramírez takes Connor out in a rowing boat on Loch Shiel. This loch is very picturesque and is also one of the locations used for the Harry Potter films, in addition to being a filming location for Highlander.
Trotternish Ridge, Isle of Skye
There are many exciting Highlander filming locations in Scotland when Ramírez and Connor are practicing their sword fighting. One of them is Trotternish Ridge, which is a small mountain range on the Isle of Skye. They appear to be fighting on the edge of a mountain called Bioda Buidhe, which has a pointed rock at the top that can be seen in the film. The Quiraing is clearly visible in the background.
Torridon Hills
Connor and Ramírez travel to more stunning places! In this scene, they are in the Torridon Hills practicing something like Tai Chi with swords. In reality, two stunt doubles were placed at the top of the hill for this short scene, which only lasts about 10 seconds.
Silver Sands of Morar, Mallaig
In one short training scene, Ramírez rides a horse on a beach while making Connor run as fast as he can to keep up. But in a more memorable moment, Ramírez teaches Connor how to feel a “quickening.”
The beach where this happens is called the Silver Sands of Morar, located on River Morar where it flows into Loch Morar. The beaches in this part of Scotland are breathtaking. Camusdarach Beach in Mallaig is only a 5-minute drive away and was used as a key filming location in Local Hero (1983).
Cuillin Hills, Isle of Skye
In another swordfight practice scene, the two immortals fight on a dangerous ridge in the Cuillin Hills. This ridge is called the Cioch Buttress on Sron Na Ciche, near the Sgùrr Alasdair mountain on the Isle of Skye.
This is the place where Connor finally defeats Ramírez in a swordfight, and it’s one of those locations that makes you feel nervous if you don’t like heights.
Where was Highlander Filmed? All the LocationsGlen Nevis
After finishing their sword training, Ramírez tells Connor some tough truths: he can’t have children and must leave his wife, Heather. The two immortals have this conversation while walking through a busy village market. This scene was shot in a set in Glen Nevis, near the Water of Nevis and Lower Falls.
Highlander Filming Locations in New York City
Peter McManus Cafe
After forensic scientist Brenda Wyatt gets scared while collecting metal samples from the Madison Square Garden parking lot, she goes to Peter McManus Cafe, an Irish pub in Manhattan, for a drink.
While many of the exterior scenes in New York City are real, a lot of the interior Highlander filming locations were actually filmed in Jacob Street Studios in London.
71 Greene Street, Soho
In his current life in New York City, Russell Nash, also known as Connor MacLeod, owns an antique shop. This seems like a good job for someone who’s about 500 years old, right?
The antique shop is said to be on Hudson Street, but in reality, it is located in a large building on Greene Street in Soho, Manhattan.
Bow Bridge, Central Park
Connor meets up with his friend and fellow immortal, Kastagir, on Bow Bridge in Central Park, where they talk about old memories.
Where was Highlander Filmed? All the LocationsCanal Street
While the final sword fight between Kurgan and Kastagir was filmed in a London alley, the car chase scenes were filmed in New York. Kurgan jumps into a car with an older woman he calls Mom, and they race down Canal Street near Broadway in Manhattan.
St Regis Hotel
After several beheadings in the city, the NYPD starts investigating. Two detectives question a police officer who’s been hospitalized after the chaos in the alley. Unfortunately, they don’t make much progress with their case, but they do stop to buy a hot dog across the street from the St Regis Hotel on East 55th Street.
Prospect Park Zoo
Before the final fight scene, Brenda and Connor spend some time together watching lions fight in a cage at the Prospect Park Zoo in Brooklyn. This could be a symbol of the fight that’s about to happen between Kurgan and Connor.
Queensboro Bridge
Kurgan kidnaps Brenda and scares her by driving wildly across the Queensboro Bridge.
SilverCup Studios
Kurgan kidnaps Brenda and ties her to a neon sign to draw Connor MacLeod out for one final battle. Kurgan picks the roof of SilverCup Studios in Long Island City as the fight location. The dramatic scene includes rushing water, smoke, and electrical flares!
Meadowlands Arena, Meadowlands Sports Complex, New Jersey
Highlander begins in 1985 at a wrestling match where immortals Connor McLeod and Iman Fasil have a deadly sword fight. The scene is supposed to take place at Madison Square Garden in New York City, but it was actually filmed at the Meadowlands Arena, also known as Continental Airlines Arena or IZOD Arena, located in the Meadowlands Sports Complex in New Jersey.
The Meadowlands Arena has closed down, but the Sports Complex is still home to MetLife Stadium.
Where was Highlander Filmed? All the LocationsGreenwich, London, England
I’m not sure of the exact filming location for this scene. In a flashback, MacLeod is fighting Nazis during WWII and saves a young girl named Rachael. This scene was filmed somewhere in Greenwich, London.
Brocket Park, Welwyn Garden City, England
MacLeod and Kastagir talk about a duel MacLeod had in the 1700s on Boston Common, a public park. The actual filming location for this scene was Brocket Park, next to Brocket Hall in Hertfordshire, England.
Shad Thames, London, England
After Kastagir arrives in New York City for the Gathering, he meets the Kurgan and sadly loses his head and life. The back alley where this happens isn’t in Manhattan, it’s actually in Shad Thames, London. Other alley fight scenes might have also been filmed in this area.
National Liberal Club, London, England
Not happy with the answers she’s gotten from Russell, AKA Connor, Brenda decides to do her own research. She goes to the New York City Public Library, but in reality, it’s the National Liberal Club in London. It’s a very exclusive private members’ club located in Westminster.
St Augustine’s Kilburn Church, London, England
When Heather dies, she asks Connor to light a candle for her every year on her birthday. Connor keeps this promise and goes to a Catholic church in New York City to honor his late wife before Kurgan interrupts him. But the church is not in New York. It was actually filmed at St Augustine’s Kilburn Church in London.