Image Copyright JJLove Productions
A Scottish Christmas Secret was filmed in the Scottish Highlands at the Watermill bookshop, Cairn Hotel, Landmark Forest Adventure Park, Coylumbridge Resort Hotel, Tulloch Castle Hotel, and Cairngorm Mountain.
Tiffany Bennett (Caprice Bourret) is an American book publisher who travels to Aviemore, Scotland, to persuade former author, Nathan McAllister (Alex Trumble), to complete his unfinished series. But there’s a catch – he’s now working as a ski instructor. Can she talk him round?
Not without a trip to some of Scotland’s cosiest firesides and snowiest forests, that’s for sure. There are some great filming locations in A Scottish Christmas Secret, and fortunately, many of them are open to visitors.
A Scottish Christmas Secret Filming Locations
The Cairngorms. MyName (TheCreator), Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Many of A Scottish Christmas Secret’s filming locations are no secret locally – and these Highland Christmas movie locations are easy to visit!
Here’s where to find the filming locations in Aberfeldy, Carrbridge, Aviemore, Cairngorm and Dingwall.
A Scottish Christmas Secret Locations Listed
The Watermill
The Watermill, Aberfeldy by Richard Hoare, CC BY-SA 2.0
The Watermill bookshop in Aberfeldy is already on many readers’ wishlists for a visit. A Scottish Christmas Secret’s bookshop filming location was opened by Michael Palin, has won Independent Bookshop of the Year, and now it’s caught the attention of supermodel Caprice.
“I recce so many areas and only do my movies in areas I fall madly in love with… I knew there had to be a connection as Americans love Scotland, so that box is ticked. I then fell in love with the bookshop in Aberfeldy so I wrote the story according to that.”
Caprice, Producer The Courier
That’s right, this bookshop became the inspiration for Caprice’s latest Christmas movie. Filming for A Scottish Christmas Secret took place at Aberfeldy Watermill in mid-January 2025, with the owners sharing sneak peeks behind the scenes.
If you’re not familiar with the Highlands’ geography, Aberfeldy is in Perth and Kinross, south of Aviemore and the Cairngorms National Park.
Cairngorm Mountain
Cairngorm Funicular by Anne Burgess, CC BY-SA 2.0
The ski slope scene in A Scottish Christmas Secret was filmed at Cairngorm Mountain, an ever-popular Scottish ski resort. Even if you’re not skiing, there’s plenty on offer around Caprice’s Highland Christmas movie destination.
For one thing, there’s Scotland’s only funicular railway which recently reopened. After travelling 1,000 metres above sea level, visitors can find a film, exhibition and restaurant at the top.
The Cairn Hotel
Cairn Hotel, Carrbridge by Mary and Angus Hogg, CC BY-SA 2.0
Look out for the Cairn Hotel in Carrbridge appearing in A Scottish Christmas Secret. Sitting on the edge of the Cairngorms National Park, this classic local Highland inn offering rooms, drinks and pub food.
While it’s not in Aviemore, it’s only a short drive away. And the Christmas film’s hotel location is just around the corner from another setting, Landmark Adventure Park.
Landmark Forest Adventure Park
Entrance to the Landmark Centre, Carrbridge by Mike Pennington, CC BY-SA 2.0
A Scottish Christmas Secret filmed scenes at Landmark Forest Adventure Park in Carrbridge, where visitors can explore the forest and family attractions. The characters are seen around the park’s walkways and inside its tropical butterfly house.
You can also catch a glimpse of the Ancient Forest Twi-Lights – seen in the colourful archway of fairy lights during the Landmark Adventure Park sequence. This is a real ticketed experience that takes place around the park, including the treetop-level Red Squirrel Trail.
Woodshed Bar
The cosy-looking log cabin with a roaring fireplace is the Woodshed Bar at Coylumbridge Resort Hotel. It’s within the hotel grounds on the outskirts of Aviemore, hidden amongst the trees.
Once again, this A Scottish Christmas Secret bar location is open to visitors wanting to sip a whisky or share nachos by the fire.
Fun House
The Fun House location in A Scottish Christmas Secret is the Coylumbridge Resort Hotel’s own soft play. As well as the treehouse-themed soft play area, there’s a medieval castle-themed mini golf course and outdoor play areas.
You can see the dinosaurs seen in the Caprice Christmas movie outside the Fun House building too! Although they may not always be as snow-covered as they appear in the film, they stand proudly outside by the entrance.
Tulloch Castle Hotel
Tulloch Castle by Craig Wallace, CC BY-SA 2.0
Dingwall’s 12th Century Tulloch Castle is A Scottish Christmas Secret’s castle filming location. The atmospheric Tulloch Castle Hotel shared a few snaps from the Christmas movie shoot back in January 2025.
It’s located about an hour’s drive north of Aviemore, and the good news for Christmas movie fans is that you can book a stay at this real Highland castle! The ancient home of Clan Davidson is now a 20-bedroom hotel where guests enjoy the historic features and log fires seen onscreen.
Not ready to leave the Scottish Highlands just yet? Explore the filming locations from Christmas in the Highlands or travel south for Edinburgh’s Christmas market with Christmas in Scotland on the blog!