Neil's Wicker Man Adventure
In 2006 me and my respective half, Kathy, travelled to Scotland for our holidays and visited many of the locations of the cult classic film The Wicker Man.
Contrary to what you might first assume, the locations are spread over the south of Scotland and not filmed on some remote island. Summer Isle does exist, but none of the film was shot there.
The overhead shots of the island seen at the beginning of the film are of the Isle Of Skye (which we visited, but were unable to photograph from above obviously). All other locations are on mainland Scotland.
Below are our photographs. Songs and dances are recreated as required.
The harbour master house in Plockton, where Sgt. Howie first arrives on 'Summerisle'.
It seems as though we got there just in time as you can see the JCB on the front starting to knock the place about.
Me, recreating Sgt. Howie's walk in Plockton.
Me, outside the Calley Estate Offices in Gatehouse In Fleet, which were used for the exterior shots of The Green Man pub (where Sgt. Howie goes to stay).
This is the interior of The Green Man pub (a few miles away from the exterior) which is actually the Ellangowan Hotel in Creetown.
Another shot of the interior. The photos on the wall show scenes from the film along with pictures of Edward Woodward when he visited the pub a few years previously (sorry for the bad focus).
Here I am recreating the Maypole song outside the location used as the School House (now a holiday home) in Anwoth.
A 180 degree turn and here I am doing the Maypole dance outside the Anwoth Church.
Inside the old church, where Sgt. Howie sees the girl and the baby and creates his makeshift Christian Altar.
At Castle Kennedy, where I very effectively (if a little over dressed) did the Fire Leap dance.
Here I am playing the part of Lord Summerisle as he explains to Sgt. Howie the ways of the Island. This is in Logan Botanical Gardens in Port Logan.
Also at Castle Kennedy, the location of the procession towards the end of the film.
On the cliffs at Burrow Head performing Summer Is A-Cummen In.
On the very top of the distant cliff is the spot where the Wicker Man stood.
At the time we were there the feet were still visible, but I now understand they have been stolen by some selfish twonk.
Things We Missed
We also went to Kirkcudbright, where a lot of village scenes were shot (such as Sgt. Howie's house to house search) but I forgot to take any photos there.
We had plans to go to Saint Ninian's Cave where Howie 'rescues' Rowan, but was a bit of a trek on foot so we didn't go.
Culzean Castle was also on our list, which was used as the exterior shots of Lord Summerisle's House but was a bit of a way out and you couldn't go in once you were there.
Thanks to Scotland The Movie for the info which helped us find these locations.
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