Silo Season 2 Set-Jetting: Scottish Landscapes

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You’ve just finished season 2 of Silo on Apple TV+ and those desolate, misty landscapes charged with austere beauty are haunting you? That chill in front of the vastness of a post-apocalyptic world where survival plays out between grey stones and stormy skies — that’s exactly what Scotland offers, in a very real version. Welcome to set-jetting, dystopian Nordic edition.

An honest clarification first: contrary to what many fans assume, Season 2 of Silo was not filmed in Scotland. Production took place entirely at Hoddesdon Studios in Hertfordshire, England — since the series takes place inside an underground silo, there are no natural landscape scenes at all. But here’s what’s fascinating: the Scottish Highlands perfectly embody Silo‘s dark, mineral and grandiose aesthetic, making them the ideal set-jetting destination for fans of the series. And dozens of major recent productions — The Traitors, Outlander, One Day, Rebus — were genuinely filmed there.

Here is the complete guide to experiencing Scotland like a TV show: 8 destinations with their associated productions, concrete budgets and insider tips to avoid tourist traps.

Silo Season 2 and Scotland: why the connection exists

Glencoe, Scotland — dramatic landscape evoking the Silo universe

Photo by Chris on Unsplash

In Silo, the silo’s inhabitants sometimes crack open a door to the « outside » — a desolation of grey ash, sulfurous skies and moorland stretching to the horizon. It’s not literally Scotland, but it is Scotland in spirit: the same vastness, the same austerity, the same gut-wrenching beauty.

Season 2 production (filming between June 2023 and March 2024) took place entirely in studio — the show’s director of photography confirms that large practical sets were built by production designer Gavin Bocquet, then extended with blue screens and virtual production. According to Wikipedia, the only real exterior footage was of the silo’s external surveillance camera on the first day of shooting.

Meanwhile, Scotland has become one of the world’s most sought-after set-jetting destinations in 2024-2026. According to VisitScotland, one in five international visitors visits a filming location during their Scotland holiday, and the value of screen tourism is estimated at £65 million per year — a figure growing rapidly.

The 2026 set-jetting phenomenon: According to Expedia Group, 66% of travellers say their trips have been influenced by films or TV series — up from just 12% in 2020.

Ardross Castle & The Northern Highlands — The Traitors

Eilean Donan Castle in the Scottish Highlands on a cloudy day

Photo by Daniel J. Schwarz on Unsplash

Main production: The Traitors UK & US (BBC/Peacock) — seasons 1 to 4 (2022-2025)

If Scottish TV drama had one single address, it would be Ardross Castle in Ross-shire, north of Inverness. The castle — a 19th-century Scottish Baronial estate set on over 100 acres along the River Alness — is the star backdrop for both the British and American editions of The Traitors. As star Alan Carr put it, « It’s the fifth character, like New York in Sex and the City. »

According to Country & Town House, the first series filmed there in May 2022, the second in September 2023, the third in summer 2024, and Season 4 plus Celebrity Traitors were shot in tandem in summer 2025. All challenges draw on the surrounding landscapes: the dark waters of Loch Glass (30 minutes away), the estate’s forests, open moorland.

Insider tip: The castle isn’t open to the public, but arrival scenes are filmed at Boat of Garten station in the Cairngorms National Park. The Strathspey Railway offers scenic heritage trips through the same area — one of Scotland’s most beautiful railway lines.

Ross-shire, 25 miles north of Inverness
£100–170/day (3★ hotel Inverness: £60–90, restaurants: £25–45)
May–September (long days) or October (perfect Gothic atmosphere)
Silo vibe: ★★★★★ — Moorland, dark waters, misty castle

Edinburgh — Royal Mile, Arthur’s Seat & Old Town

View from Arthur's Seat over Edinburgh Old Town and the Royal Mile

Photo by Nadia Ramella on Unsplash

Main productions: One Day (Netflix, 2024), Rebus (BBC, 2024), Department Q (Netflix, 2025)

The Scottish capital has become a genuine open-air film set. In 2024 alone, One Day (Netflix) reinvested the Grassmarket, Vennel steps and Old College to trace its protagonists’ university life — Edinburgh.org confirms Arthur’s Seat has practically become a character in the series.

The same year, Rebus (Ian Rankin’s police thriller) transformed the Royal Mile and Canongate into a period set in September 2024. Netflix’s Department Q meanwhile settled in the Leith quarter, Portobello and Marchmont — authentic areas no standard tourist circuit visits.

Insider tip: Bakehouse Close (off the Royal Mile) is one of Edinburgh’s most atmospheric closes — used in Outlander and Rebus. Arrive before 8am to have it to yourself. Vennel Steps offer the same castle view as in One Day, without the High Street crowds.

Edinburgh, central Scotland
£130–220/day (Old Town accommodation: £80–130)
April–June (soft light) or September (post-Fringe, quieter city)
Silo vibe: ★★★★☆ — Underground closes, medieval architecture, oppressive atmosphere

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Glencoe — Scotland’s Most Dramatic Glen

Photo by Mark mc neill on Unsplash

Main productions: Outlander (Starz), Skyfall (James Bond, 2012), Braveheart (1995), Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2005)

If you can only visit one place in Scotland to feel the visual power of Silo, choose Glencoe. This glen — Scotland’s most dramatic — concentrates austere mountains, mystical mists and a landscape laden with tragic history (the Glencoe Massacre of 1692). No wonder filmmakers keep returning decade after decade.

Insider tip: The Devil’s Staircase trail (West Highland Way) offers Glencoe views from the ridge — inaccessible by car, so uncrowded. In autumn (October–November), heather colours and raking light are spectacular.

Glencoe, Western Highlands — 1.5h from Glasgow
£70–100/day (camping: £25–50, landscapes free)
October–November (autumn colours) or June (before the crowds)
Silo vibe: ★★★★★ — The quintessential dystopian glen

Loch Ness & Highlands from Edinburgh — Small Group From £53 ⭐ 4,7/5 · 6 058 avis Viator

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Culloden & Clava Cairns — The Origins of Outlander

Main production: Outlander (Starz, seasons 1–7)

Eight kilometres east of Inverness, Culloden Moor battlefield holds a central place in Scottish history and in Outlander. Site of the last battle fought on British soil (16 April 1746), Culloden was used for the Season 2 finale. Just 1km away, Clava Cairns — standing stones some 4,000 years old — directly inspired the « Craigh na Dun stones » from Outlander that enable time travel. The site is freely accessible, 24 hours a day, and remains almost deserted.

8km east of Inverness, Highlands
Culloden: £10–12; Clava Cairns: free access
April 16 (anniversary) or October for morning mists
Silo vibe: ★★★★☆ — Millennial stones, silence, weight of history

Culross — The Timeless Medieval Village

Main production: Outlander (Starz) — represents the fictional village of Cranesmuir

Culross (pronounced « Coo-ross ») is one of Scotland’s best-preserved villages — and one of the least known to the general public, despite its repeated screen appearances. Located on the Firth of Forth estuary, 45 minutes from Edinburgh, this Scottish Renaissance village has ochre-coloured houses, cobbled lanes and a palace managed by the National Trust for Scotland.

Culross, Fife — 45 min from Edinburgh
Day trip from Edinburgh: £25–45 (transport + meals)
Year-round; November Forth fog creates dramatic atmosphere
Silo vibe: ★★★☆☆ — Timeless village, sense of isolation

The Orkney Islands — The End of the World with The Outrun

Photo by Mark Foster on Unsplash

Main production: The Outrun (2024, with Saoirse Ronan)

The film The Outrun, released in 2024 with Saoirse Ronan, was filmed on location in Orkney. It’s the islands’ brutal, isolated beauty that won over the filmmakers — red sandstone cliffs, wind-swept moorland and UNESCO-listed Neolithic sites.

For Silo fans, Orkney might be the destination closest to the show’s universe: the Ring of Brodgar (a 5,000-year-old stone circle), Skara Brae (Neolithic village as well preserved as Pompeii) and the archipelago’s ever-changing skies. Hard not to think of the silo’s inhabitants’ loneliness.

Orkney Islands, north of mainland Scotland
£85–140/day (Scrabster–Stromness ferry: ~£35 return, B&B: £50–85)
May–June for endless summer twilights; July–August for wildlife
Silo vibe: ★★★★★ — World’s end, absolute solitude, ancestral mystery

Sutherland & Isle of Mull — The Undertow (Netflix)

Main production: The Undertow (Netflix, 2025, with Jamie Dornan)

Sutherland in northern Highlands is the least populated region in the UK — a true European wilderness of moorland, lochs and pink quartzite summits. The North Coast 500 (NC500) offers 5 days of landscapes among Europe’s most intact: Torridon geological formations (800 million years old), the deserted white sand beaches of Ceannabeinne and Cape Wrath, Scotland’s most north-westerly point.

Sutherland and Isle of Mull, Northern Highlands
£80–130/day on Mull (Oban–Craignure ferry: ~£15 return, B&B: £50–80)
September–October (no midges, fantastic autumn colours)
Silo vibe: ★★★★★ — European wilderness, absolute solitude, end-of-world landscapes

Edinburgh Castle — The Essential

Photo by Antony Hyson Seltran on Unsplash

Recent productions: J.J. Abrams’ Ghostwriter (filming 2026), The Buccaneers Season 2 (Apple TV+), Rebus (BBC)

Perched on its volcanic rock — a volcanic plug 350 million years old — Edinburgh Castle embodies the city’s entire visual power. In 2026, J.J. Abrams is filming his secret blockbuster (Ghostwriter) in Edinburgh and Glasgow, according to The Scotsman. The Highlander reboot with Henry Cavill is also expected to film in Scotland.

Castlehill, Edinburgh — city centre
Castle entry: ~£19 adult (online booking recommended)
Year-round; winter sunrise for crowd-free photos

7-Day Set-Jetting Itinerary

D1–D2

Edinburgh Old Town, castle, medieval closes, Arthur’s Seat, Royal Mile, Leith One Day, Rebus, Department Q

Fife — Culross & Falkland Outlander medieval village, Falkland Palace Outlander seasons 1–5

Stirling & Doune Castle Outlander’s Castle Leoch, Battle of Bannockburn Outlander, Monty Python

Inverness & Ardross Castle Scenic drive from Glasgow, exterior castle view, Loch Ness The Traitors UK/US

Culloden, Clava Cairns & Loch Ness Battlefield, Outlander standing stones, Ness cruise Outlander season 2

Glencoe Dramatic glen, Three Sisters, Devil’s Staircase Outlander, Skyfall, Braveheart

How to Get to Scotland from Europe

Edinburgh (EDI) has direct connections to Paris, Amsterdam, Frankfurt and most major European hubs. According to Aviasales, return flights Paris–Edinburgh start from €61 in low season. Prices typically rise 3–4 weeks before departure, reaching £120–180 in peak season (July–August). Booking 2–3 months ahead is the best strategy.

Practical Information for Your Scotland Trip

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Frequently Asked Questions: Silo Set-Jetting & Scotland

Was Silo Season 2 filmed in Scotland?

No. Silo Season 2 (Apple TV+) was filmed entirely at Hoddesdon Studios in Hertfordshire, England. Filming ran from late June 2023 to 8 March 2024. Since the series takes place inside an underground silo, there are no scenes filmed in natural landscapes — the rare exterior views are entirely created with digital visual effects.

Can you visit Ardross Castle (The Traitors)?

The castle isn’t open for public visits, but can be hired for private events and weddings. It’s still worth the trip for photos from the road. Fans of The Traitors can explore the surroundings: Boat of Garten station (arrival scenes) and Loch Glass are freely accessible. The Inverness region is served by train from Edinburgh (about 3 hours).

What’s the best time to visit Scotland for set-jetting?

Each season offers a different atmosphere. September–October is ideal for Silo fans seeking dramatic atmospheres: moorland turns red and gold, mist is plentiful and midges (Highland gnats) have disappeared. May–June offers long summer days without August’s crowds. December–January gives you an almost deserted Scotland under heavy skies — perfect for those who love claustrophobic, dystopian atmospheres.

Can you do Scotland set-jetting without a car?

Partially yes. Edinburgh is fully walkable or accessible by public transport. For the Highlands (Glencoe, Ardross, Culloden), a car or organised tours are needed. There are dedicated Outlander tours from Edinburgh covering Doune Castle, Culross and Craigmillar without a personal car. For Orkney, the ferry and bicycle are the best way to explore the archipelago.

Which Apple TV+ productions were actually filmed in Scotland?

Apple TV+’s The Buccaneers Season 2 returned to Scotland for several weeks of filming. Beyond Apple TV+, Outlander (Starz), One Day (Netflix), Rebus (BBC), Department Q (Netflix), The Outrun and The Undertow (Netflix) were all filmed in Scotland in 2024–2026. Silo remains the exception: no Scotland filming across all 3 seasons.

What budget should I plan for a set-jetting trip to Scotland?

A comfortable 7-day trip with 3-star hotels/B&Bs comes to around £1,000–1,500 per person (including flights from major European cities). For a more budget-friendly itinerary (hostels, Highlands camping): £600–900. Natural sites — Glencoe, Clava Cairns, Orkney — are free. Paid site admissions (Edinburgh Castle ~£19, Culloden ~£12) are modest additions. A Historic Scotland Explorer Pass (~£60 for 3 days) is worth it for multi-site visits.

Are major productions expected in Scotland in 2026?

According to The Scotsman, 2026 is an exceptional year for Scottish cinema: J.J. Abrams is filming his secret blockbuster in Edinburgh and Glasgow, Christopher Nolan has reportedly been scouting locations in Moray for The Odyssey, and the Highlander reboot with Henry Cavill is expected to film there. Scotland looks set to be one of the leading set-jetting destinations of the late decade.

Where are the Silo inhabitants in real life?

In the fiction of Hugh Howey’s novels (on which the series is based), Silo 18 appears to be located in the Atlanta, Georgia region (USA) — the ruined city seen in the episode « Outside » resembles the American Southeast. But the real sets do exist: Apple TV+ published a tour of Hoddesdon Studios (Hertfordshire, England) where all 144 floors of the silo were built at large scale. These studios are not open to the public.

Sources

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Silo Season 2 (Apple TV+) Set-Jetting: Scottish Landscapes That Match the Series — Complete Guide