Miles

139

Kms

223

Days

3

2023 sees the 50th anniversary of the 1973 British folk horror film, The Wicker Man, an undisputed cult classic. It follows the story of devout Christian Sergeant Neil Howie, who travels to the remote island of Summerisle to investigate the disappearance of a young girl.

Much of the film was shot in Dumfries and Galloway and this self guided 3 day itinerary showcases many of the important locations in the film. If a guided tour is something you would prefer, then we recommend you get in touch with Dumfries Tours who offer tailor-made guided tours in the region.

So if you’re a fan of the film, celebrate the 50th anniversary with us by taking our tour. And if you haven’t seen it yet, what are you waiting for?

Day 1

Day 1

The first day of your tour takes you to the impressive Wickerman statue near Dundrennan, this was the focal point of the annual Wickerman Festival which took place between 2001 and 2015.

Next stop is the beautiful harbour town of Kirkcudbright, home to several of the locations used in the film and many more great places to visit!

Your final stop of the day is a Anwoth Old Kirk, where the famous maypole scene was shot.

Miles

16

Kms

25

Stops

4

Travel Time

41min

Kirkcudbright

Stop 1 - Trevor Leat Wicker Man Sculpture

The Wickerman Sculpture, near Dundrennan, was created by renowned local artist Trevor Leat. The sculpture was the signature of the Wickerman Festival, an annual music festival championing alternative music. The culmination of the festival was the burning of the Wickerman sculpture at midnight on the Saturday and was to echo the burning of the Wicker Man effigy in the film.

More Info

Stop 2 - Kirkcudbright

The Artist’s Town of Kirkcudbright is a pretty harbour town at the mouth of the River Dee on the Solway Coast. The town is home to several locations used in ‘The Wicker Man’ including Greyfriar’s Episcopal Church (mainland church), Harbour Cottage Gallery (Summerisle bakery) and High St. Gallery (May Morrison’s sweet shop/post office).

More Info

Stop 3 - Greyfriars Episcopal Church

The interior of Greyfriar’s Episcopal Church served as the location for the scenes at the mainland church near the start of the film. The skull and crossbones motif seen in the film’s other kirk wasn’t a prop, it is a feature of churches of that period in the region.

More Info

Stop 4 - Anwoth Old Kirk

Anwoth Old Kirk was used extensively as a location in the film. The Church is used for the graveyard scenes and the famous maypole scene.

More Info
The Selkirk Arms Hotel
location_on Kirkcudbright

Quality 4* Hotel & Restaurant in the heart of Kirkcudbright

Masonic Arms
location_on Kirkcudbright

A great meeting place, whether you're enjoying a quiet drink or enjoying banter and atmosphere with the locals.

Sea View Snugs at Laggan
location_on Gatehouse of Fleet

Escape and connect with nature, connect with yourself and connect with life’s simple pleasures in our Sea View Snugs.

The Garret Hotel
location_on Kirkcudbright

We are a small hotel in the harbour town of Kirkcudbright with a bar, restaurant and large beer garden.

Broughton House and Garden
location_on Kirkcudbright

House and Garden - The home of ‘Glasgow Boy’ Hornel sits in a Japanese-inspired garden and hosts an impressive collection of art.

Kirkcudbright Galleries
location_on Kirkcudbright

Kirkcudbright Galleries are the home to a nationally important art collection and host a wide range of temporary art and craft exhibitions.

Day 2

Day 2

The second day of your tour brings you first to the small seaside town of Creetown, home to the Green Man Inn and the bakery from the film. Then a visit to Newton Stewart, where the film was shown for the very first time, ahead of its general release.

Last stop of the day, Whithorn, the location of Summerisle’s library and registry office.

Miles

24

Kms

39

Stops

3

Travel Time

40min

Stop 1 - Creetown

The small seaside town of Creetown featured in scenes from the cult classic, The Wicker Man.

It is home to Ellangowan Hotel which, although now closed, was used for the interiors shots of the Green Man Inn on Summerisle and the Creetown Bakery also features in a short scene where Howie is shown a baked John Barlycorn loaf.

The Creetown Heritage Museum has a section dedicated to the film including a 12ft tall model of the Wicker Man complete with a Sergeant Howie inside.

More Info

Stop 2 - Newton Stewart

On 13th January 1974, The Wicker Man saw its first public showing in Newton Stewart. The one-night-only showing of the, as yet unreleased, film was a thank you to the people of the local area where the film was shot. The cinema is still in operation today and on 30th April 2023 saw the World Premiere of the new 50th Anniversay 4k restoration of the film. The film is coming back to the cinema in June when it goes on general release.

More Info

Stop 3 - Whithorn

Whithorn, located on the Machars Peninsula, featured as the location of Summerisle’s library and registry office.

The house at 59 George Street was used to film the upstairs bedrooms and the landing of the Green Man Inn. The rear of the building is where Ash Buchanan is introduced to Willow by Lord Summerisle.

More Info
The Steam Packet Inn
location_on Isle of Whithorn

The Steam Packet is a family run village pub with contemporary dining and it's own brewery.

The Pheasant
location_on Sorbie

Authentic Italian restaurant with great food prepared and served with love, a unique dining experience in heart of Galloway

Craigmount Bed and Breakfast
location_on Wigtown

Craigmount Bed & Breakfast. Beautiful Georgian former manse in Scotlands National Book Town.

New Town Hall Bunkhouse
location_on Whithorn

18 bed bunkhouse accommodation. 2, 4 and 6 bed rooms, all en-suite.

Wigtown Museum
location_on Wigtown

The Wigtown museum tells the story of the Burgh and various items of Wigtown memorabilia are on display.

Whithorn Roundhouse
location_on Whithorn

Whithorn Roundhouse is a full-scale replica Iron Age roundhouse based on excavated examples dating to around 430BC

Day 3

Day 3

Day 3 kicks of at Burrowhead and St Ninian’s Cave, both locations of iconic scenes from the film.

Then onwards to Lord Summerisle’s gardens, the scenes for which were shot at Logan Botanic Gardens.

Finally, for the last stop of your tour, you can visit the spectacular Culzean Castle, perched on a clifftop, Culzean was used for the exterior shots of Lord Summerisle’s castle.

Miles

99

Kms

159

Stops

4

Travel Time

3h 30min

Logan Botanic Gardens

Stop 1 - Burrowhead

Burrowhead is the location for the several scenes in the film, including for the Wicker Man shots, where Howie is shouting down at the villagers as the fires burn around  him and the climatic final scene where the Wicker Man’s buring head topples over to reveal the setting sun. Nothing remains of the large Wicker Man, but the stumps of the smaller effigy do remain.

It was also the location for the ‘cave’ which Howie and Rowan emerge from and meet Lord Summerisle. The ‘cave’ was in fact a hole dug by the crew and, although filled in somewhat, can still be seen at the location today.

More Info

Stop 2 - St Ninian's Cave

St Ninian’s Cave, near Whithorn, appears in scenes from the film. It is where Lord Summerisle rolls the barrel of beer into the water as an offering to the God of the Sea. It is where Rowan first appears at the entrance to the cave, ready to be sacrificed.

St Ninian’s Cave isn’t actually a cave, but rather a fissure in the rock face. The scenes where Howie and Rowan enter the cave and run through it were not in fact filmed here, but later at a separate location in England.

More Info

Stop 3 - Logan Botanic Gardens

Due to its sheltered position and proximity to the Gulf Stream, Logan Botanic Gardens is known for growing plants that do not normally survive the Scottish climate, including palm trees and tree ferns. This made it the perfect location for Lord Summerisle’s gardens in the film.

More Info

Stop 4 - Culzean Castle

The dramatic Culzean Castle is perched on a clifftop overlooking the Firth of Clyde. It was used for the exterior shots of Lord Summerisle’s castle and the State Dining Room was used for the dining room scene in the film.

The castle was built in 1777 by Robert Adam and is maintained now by the National Trust for Scotland, so is open to visitors.

More Info

Henrys Bay House offers locally sourced dishes, prepared and cooked freshly to order by local Chef John Henry and his team.

The Coo Shed
location_on Ayr

Unique family run coffee shop. All food prepared and baked in-house, locally sourced if possible. Set in the rural Ayrshire countryside on South Corton Farm.

Pirleyhill Pods
location_on Girvan

Pirleyhill Pods – a luxury glamping pod experience. Pirleyhill Pods sit just off the west coast of Scotland, near Turnberry in South Ayrshire.

Few Hotels in Ayrshire offer the same combination of coastal setting, superb restaurant and modern accommodation.

Girvan
location_on Girvan

Girvan is a popular seaside resort on the Clyde Coast, south of Ayr. It sits on the SWC300 route and makes a great base for exploring the South West Coast.

Portpatrick
location_on Portpatrick

Portpatrick is a picturesque seaside village on the west coast of the Rhins of Galloway peninsula. It was once a busy port, and is now a serene holiday resort.

Where to Stay