BBC's North and South Filming Locations in Edinburgh

Another of Helen's favourite DVDs is the BBC version of North and South, based on the book by Elizabeth Gaskell.

She was watching it a couple of months ago, and on one street scene I commented that it could have been filmed in Edinburgh. My comment was based on the types of buildings in view, they reminded me of New Town in Edinburgh. Later on, I saw a scene that was unmistakably on Calton Hill in Edinburgh.

Helen eventually researched the Edinburgh film locations on IMDB. She then carefully found the scenes from the DVD and took screenshots. We then spent the weekend visiting the locations.

So, without further ado, here is our official guide to visiting:

"BBC's North and South Filming Locations in Edinburgh"

Forres Street, New Town, Edinburgh. On the lower end of Forres Street, on the corner where it meets Moray Place.

The lamppost on TV is temporary, look closely to see it's held up by a wide stand. And notice how the horse and cart is replaced by a rubbish bin, the joys of modern life! The street sign on the building was covered over for TV also. Otherwise, probably an easy setup for the film crew.

TV

Real Life

Stockbridge Market, Stockbridge, Edinburgh. More precisely, Saint Stephen Place, Stockbridge, Edinburgh. A short dead end street, cobblestones have bright yellow paint all around. Walk through the arch at the end and through an alley to Hamilton Place where the 36 bus stops.

Obviously a big job for the film crew. New lampposts have been removed, old lampposts have been added. And there are props galore. A quiet street is brought to life. The main sign saying Stockbridge Market is still there on TV, a dead giveaway as to its location!

TV

Real Life

Borthwick's Close, Old Town, Edinburgh. From Chambers Street, walk down Guthrie Street. On the right hand bend, before reaching Cowgate, the steps head up on the left.

The stairs don't look much different, and are still worn from years of use. The landing behind where Helen had to stand for this shot was messed up with an open door, and some gear. She closed one door for the shot, and immediately after the photo a van parked at the top of the stairs. Obviously the film crew have an advantage over us, a closed set!

TV

Real Life

Calton Hill, Edinburgh. This shot is easy to find, North Bridge in the background is an easy landmark, as is Dugald Stewart Monument in the foreground. The biggest challenge is walking up the hill to begin with.

The graveyard isn't there in real life, it was planted by the film crew. It does give the foreground an equally cluttered look for the busy background.

TV

Real Life

Saint Stephen's Church, New Town, Edinburgh. Walk down Frederick Street from George Street, and it's at the bottom of the hill. You can't miss it. It's an impressive building, but not in the best condition, and looks disused to us.

The film crew have again set up temporary lamp posts and lights. And we have parked cars to spoil the shot. Anything modern is blocked off easily with horses and carts for TV.

TV

Real Life

Now a close up of the stairs. The gates are closed for us, they were open for filming. This show was supposed to be taken out of a window across the street. It was not however. The windows of surrounding buildings are wrong, and the camera angle is defintely from street level where we got our photo too. The window conveniently covers a modern street light.

TV

Real Life

Calton Hill, Edinburgh. Almost the same shot as before, only more of Dugald Stewart Monument is in view and the graveyard looks quite different!

The camera angle is slightly different, but North Bridge is still clearly visible in the distance.

TV

Real Life

This shot is also on Calton Hill, around behind Nelson's Monument, and looking towards Edinburgh Castle, but obscuring it out of view.

We suspect some CGI here, as the general landscape is identical but certain structures are slightly different. For example, Saint Giles Cathedral is much less defined on TV.

TV

Real Life

William Street, Edinburgh. From Queesferry Road at West End, walk west along Alva Street, to William Street, and then find the corner of Walker Street. Find the photo by looking East.

We found this easily, as the handrail in the foreground is unique. The street looks quite different but it is cobblestoned. No doubt lots of props were required for this screen.

TV

Real Life

Warriston's Close, Old Town, Edinburgh. The easiest way to find this is to start from Waverly Bridge, and walk up Cockburn Street. It's right near the bottom and easy to see.

We were surprised to see that the lamp at the top of the stairs is real, not a prop. Look at the window on the far left of the real life photo, and see an extractor fan in a window. It's on TV too, but obscured by smoke.

TV

Real Life

Borthwick's Close, Old Town, Edinburgh. This is a small alley off Royal Mile, right next door to the Fringe Office.

It's narrow and dark, but less cluttered without all the TV laundry and people.

TV

Real Life

Well folks, that's it! We hope you had a laugh at our expense. But it is fun finding movie and TV film locations, and recreating them.

We photo-shopped our photos, to give them the same colour and gloomy look as the TV show, just for fun.

Here's a map of the locations, in the order in which we visited them: