Findlater Castle, a ruined fortress on the Aberdeenshire coast, was used as the filming location for the mythical island of Aeaea in Christopher Nolan's epic film The Odyssey. The castle appears in one of the movie's most memorable and disturbing scenes, where the sorceress Circe transforms Odysseus's men into pigs.
Filming at Findlater Castle
According to the official Findlater Castle website, filming took place in the summer of 2025. Production crews arrived in early June 2025, erecting high fencing and constructing temporary structures on the cliffs. Drone photographs revealed at least one small building added to the landscape, designed to blend with scenes depicting Odysseus's journey.
A notice at the site described the work as 'the construction, lighting and dressing of two film sets, followed after the shoot phase by striking them and returning the locations to as they were prior to tenancy'. Path diversions were put in place along the Findlater Castle and Cullen to Sandend coastal paths during the closure.
Haunted History
Findlater Castle sits atop a 50-foot cliff overlooking the Moray Firth. It is known as the old seat of the Earls of Findlater and Seafield. The name is believed to derive from the Gaelic words 'fionn' and 'leitir', meaning 'white' and 'cliff' respectively.
Legend has it that the castle is haunted by a nursemaid who, while holding a noble family's child near a window, saw the boy wriggle free and fall to the rocks below. She jumped after him in panic. Many visitors have reported odd sensations near the sea-facing archways, including chills without wind, footsteps, and the feeling of being watched. Some have claimed to see a pale figure gazing out over the water.
Recognition from Local Officials
Provost of Aberdeenshire Judy Whyte stated: 'The release of The Odyssey marks a truly proud moment for Aberdeenshire and the wider north-east of Scotland. Audiences across the world will now experience the breathtaking beauty of our coastline, with the dramatic cliffs, seascapes and iconic ruins of Findlater Castle taking centre stage in one of the most anticipated cinematic events of recent years.'
