If you are wondering where to go for a walking or cycling holiday, and you love big, beautiful and iconic landscapes, you should think about Scotland. For the British country is a favourite among film-makers and this summer scooped top place in a list of the world’s best “Cinematic Destinations”. Readers of one of America’s biggest newspapers, USA Today, and the travel website, 10 Best, voted Scotland as the top destination for the silver screen. Two new films, being released on October 2, will also showcase some of Scotland's spectacular scenery. Macbeth was filmed on Skye and features the island's stunning landscape of jagged and majestic hills. The movie stars Michael Fassbender as the fearless warrior and Marion Cotillard as Lady Macbeth. Victor Frankenstein was also shot in and around Dunnottar Castle, near Stonehaven, in north-east Scotland. It stars James McAvoy and Daniel Radcliffe.

Scotland's top of the films

Scotland has featured in many other high-profile movies in recent years, including the famous Harry Potter train ride at Glenfinnan Viaduct and Braveheart's sword at William Wallace's monument in Stirling. Then there was the unforgettable fly-by views of Glencoe in the Bond movie Skyfall and the hit series Outlander, which treated viewers to many stunning views of the country’s landscape. The Rosslyn Chapel in Midlothian, which played a vital role in the Da Vinci Code, as well as the movies Prometheus, The Dark Knight Rises and World War Zalso, helped Scotland to be voted above other strong cinematic contenders in the USA Today poll. In second place was  Petra in Jordan, where scenes were filmed for Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. Third was New Zealand, which featured in The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies. The USA Today poll placed Petra in Jordan, which is seen in the climactic scenes of Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, in second place.

Where to see great cinematic landscapes in Scotland

[caption id="attachment_18088" align="aligncenter" width="100%"] The new Macbeth was filmed on Skye. Pic credit: John Mcsporran on Flickr Creatives[/caption] [caption id="attachment_18087" align="aligncenter" width="100%"] Victor Frankenstein was shot in and around Dunnottar Castle, near Stonehaven. Pic credit: Jeremy Polanski on Flickr Creatives[/caption] [caption id="attachment_18086" align="aligncenter" width="100%"] Glenfinnan Viaduct starred in the Harry Potter movies. Pic credit: 96tommy on Flickr Creatives[/caption] [caption id="attachment_18085" align="aligncenter" width="100%"] Braveheart's sword at the Wallace Monument, near Stirling. Pic credit: Christopher Bulle on Flickr Creatives[/caption] [caption id="attachment_18089" align="aligncenter" width="604"] Glencoe in the Bond movie Skyfall. Pic credit: John Mcsporran on Flickr Creatives[/caption] [caption id="attachment_18083" align="aligncenter" width="100%"] Doune Castle near Stirling plays a leading role in Outlander. Pic credit: Alasdair on Flickr Creatives[/caption] [caption id="attachment_18082" align="aligncenter" width="453"] Decades old film Local Hero featured a now world famous red phone box located at Pennan, Aberdeenshire. Pic credit: SidewaysSarah on Flickr Creatives[/caption]