The Buccaneers filming locations: Where was the Apple TV+ drama filmed?

The Buccaneers looks to be a terrific new period drama for Apple TV+. But just where was this show actually filmed?

Based on the unfinished final novel of Edith Wharton, The Buccaneers has little to do with pirates. The title refers to a pack of American ladies who arrive in 1870s London and throw the staid British society out of whack with their new ways.

The show has a good cast, including Christina Hendricks as the “den mother” to the women. It also looks to use the setting well with the action happening in London, Cornwall and a prelude in New York.

As it happened, almost the entire series was filmed in Scotland. Speaking to The Herald (Scotland), production designer Amy Maguire gushed about how they used the actual areas for inspiration.

"“I felt so lucky to be able to draw inspiration from the many beautiful country houses and castles in Scotland. The settings of some of these houses were breathtaking – cliff top castles, natural coves, lochs stretching out of sight – not to mention the stunning grandeur of the buildings in both Glasgow and Edinburgh. We were truly spoilt for choice when piecing together our American and British worlds.”"

According to Maguire, each episode uses a different “hero house” to show variations of opulence and wealth with the fictional names of Brightlingsea Townhouse, Honourslove, Runnymede and Tintagel Castle.

Honourslove used interiors at Touch House, Stirling; the walled garden and greenhouse at Preston Hall, Pathhead, Midlothian; and the hedge maze at Scone Palace, Perthshire. Tintagel Castle has scenes shot at Culzean Castle in Ayrshire; Drumlanrig Castle in Dumfriesshire; Hopetoun House near South Queensferry; the Cloisters at Glasgow University; and the chapel in the grounds of Murthly Castle, Perthshire.

Where else in Scotland was the Buccaneers filmed?

The Buccaneers will progress through the seasons, from holidays at a Scottish hunting lodge to New Year’s Eve in London and a spring wedding in New York. Glasgow actually stood in for the Big Apple. The Glasgow City Chambers (which has been used to replicate everything from the Kremlin to the Vatican on film) was used for a debutante ball set at London’s Grosvenor House.

Drumlanrig Castle (which was used in Outlander) stood in for Cornwall, while the Hopetoun House in Edinburgh was used for Brightlingsea Townhouse, Tintagel Castle and Honourslove, as well as various exterior shots.

Among other notable spots used were Seacliff Beach, Stichill Linn’s famous waterfall, The Educational Institute of Scotland building, Barnbougle Castle and Cove Harbour Cottage. That’s not counting numerous other castles and spots as The Buccaneers used Scotland to full effect to make this period drama shine so well.

The Buccaneers premieres new episodes Wednesdays on Apple TV+.