You’ve probably heard the rumors, but it’s time to get real. Hollywood hasn't just arrived in Scotland; it’s basically taken over the North West. After years of being stuck in development hell, the Highlander reboot is finally filming, and it isn't some green-screen project tucked away in a Burbank studio. Henry Cavill and a massive crew are currently trekking through the mud of Glencoe and the jagged peaks of Skye to bring Connor MacLeod back to life.
It's about time.
The original 1986 classic was a weird, lightning-in-a-bottle moment that probably shouldn't have worked. You had a Frenchman playing a Scotsman, a Scotsman playing an Egyptian-Spaniard, and a soundtrack by Queen. Yet, it became a cult phenomenon. This new version, helmed by John Wick director Chad Stahelski, is leaning hard into the "John Wick with swords" vibe. And honestly? The Highlands are the only place that can provide the raw, brutal backdrop that kind of action requires.
Seeing stars in the Highlands
If you're heading up the A82 right now, you aren't just seeing tourists in rented campervans. You're likely to bump into an Avenger or a Gladiator. Locals in Fort William and the surrounding glens have been doing double-takes for weeks.
Take Russell Crowe, for example. The man who made "Are you not entertained?" a global catchphrase was recently spotted at The Pitstop at Kintail. He wasn't there for a red carpet event; he was just grabbing lunch at a quiet roadside cafe on the banks of Loch Duich. He’s playing Juan Sánchez-Villalobos Ramírez—the role originally made famous by Sean Connery. Seeing an Oscar winner casually smiling for photos with cafe staff while wearing retro sunglasses is exactly the kind of "Hollywood buzz" that has the local community talking.
But he isn't the only one. Henry Cavill, the man carrying the weight of the franchise on his shoulders as Connor MacLeod, has been deep in the trenches. He’s been training with swords, motorcycles, and firearms. Early footage shown at CinemaCon 2026 confirms he’s going for a much grittier, more brooding version of the character. Cavill actually opened his CinemaCon message with the iconic line: "I am Connor MacLeod, who was born in 1518, and I am immortal."
Then there’s the local hero, Karen Gillan. Born in Inverness, she’s back on home turf playing Heather. She’s been spotted around Portree on the Isle of Skye, even helping a local postman raise nearly £10,000 for the Alzheimer’s Society by sharing his charity walk with her millions of followers. It’s a nice change from the usual "celebrity arrives, celebrity leaves" narrative.
Why the locations matter more than the CGI
We live in an era where directors love to fake it. They’ll build a digital mountain before they’ll climb a real one. But Stahelski seems to understand that you can’t fake the atmosphere of the Scottish Highlands.
The production has returned to the "holy sites" of the original film. They’ve been filming at Eilean Donan Castle, which served as the MacLeod family home in 1986. They’ve moved through Glen Nevis and Glencoe, using the natural gloom and dramatic light that only the West Coast can offer.
Where the cameras are rolling
- Glencoe: The crew took over the Glencoe Mountain Resort car park recently, filming deep in the glen where the weather changes every five minutes.
- Isle of Skye: Specifically around the Old Man of Storr and the Bride’s Veil waterfall. The Trotternish ridge is basically a cheat code for "epic cinematography."
- Eilean Donan: Still the most iconic castle in the world for a reason. It’s the emotional heart of the story.
The budget for this thing is rumored to be well over £100 million. You can see that money on the screen when you're looking at real mist clinging to real rocks, not a pixelated version of it.
It is not just about the fighting
While everyone is excited about "John Wick with swords," the reboot is supposedly digging much deeper into the emotional burden of immortality. Living for 500 years sounds cool until you realize you have to watch everyone you love age and die. I've heard the script leans heavily into that loneliness.
They’re also pulling in elements from the 90s TV series—like the Watchers. This isn't just a one-off remake; it’s a world-building exercise. They want a franchise. That’s why they’ve brought in Dave Bautista as The Kurgan. If you thought the original Kurgan was terrifying, imagine a version played by a man with the physical presence of Bautista. It’s going to be a bloodbath.
What this means for Scotland
There’s a lot of talk about "film tourism," and for good reason. When Outlander blew up, people started flocking to every stone circle they could find. Highlander is likely to do the same, but on a bigger scale.
Some locals are a bit wary. Skye is already struggling with the sheer volume of tourists in the summer months. Adding a massive Hollywood blockbuster to the mix is a double-edged sword. On one hand, the "buzz" is great for local businesses like the Isle of Skye Candle Company, which is even planning to screen the 1986 original to celebrate the 40th anniversary. On the other hand, the infrastructure is already stretched thin.
But you can't deny the excitement. Seeing Kevin McKidd—an Elgin boy—and WWE star Drew McIntyre join the cast adds a level of Scottish authenticity that was arguably missing from the original. It feels like the production is actually respecting the roots of the story this time.
When can you actually see it?
Don't go looking for a trailer just yet. While they’re halfway through production, the release date is looking like 2027.
Cavill’s leg injury in late 2025 pushed things back a bit, but they’ve been making up for lost time since January. They’re filming in Scotland and Hong Kong to capture that centuries-spanning feel. If you're a fan of the original Queen soundtrack, don't worry—Stahelski has confirmed they are using the music, just "in a different way." Think less of a 1980s music video and more of a modern, epic recontextualization.
If you want to track the production, keep an eye on the Highlands. But don't be that person who blocks the single-track roads trying to find a film set. The best way to support the "buzz" is to visit the local cafes and shops that these stars are actually frequenting.
Next steps for fans:
- Rewatch the 1986 original: It’s turning 40 soon, and you need to remember the lore before the reboot drops.
- Visit the sites: If you’re in Scotland, check out Eilean Donan or Glencoe, but stay on the paths and respect the environment.
- Watch the CinemaCon leaks: If you dig around, you can find descriptions of the "We Will Rock You" footage that has everyone hyped.
The production is moving fast, and the "The Gathering" is coming. Just remember: there can be only one.
