Where Was The Buccaneers Filmed? (& Can You Visit?)

Brits have never seemed so stiff as in The Buccaneers, Apple TV’s new Anglo-American drama starring a group of young American women whose travels from New York to 1870s Britain cause somewhat of a culture clash. Spanning Cornwall, London and, of course, the US, it stars a plethora of stunning gardens, houses and landscapes alongside the ensemble cast. But, if you’re wondering whereabouts filming took place in Britain, you’ve come to the right place. Here are all of the filming locations to know, from castles to stately homes.

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Where Was The Buccaneers Filmed? (& Can You Visit?)

Kristine Frøseth, Alisha Boe, Josie Totah, Aubri Ibrag and Imogen Waterhouse in “The Buccaneers,” now streaming on Apple TV+.

Where Was The Buccaneers Filmed?

The Buccaneers was mainly filmed in Scotland, despite predominantly being set in England and New York. Rumour has it, some filming also took place in Madrid – but we’re yet to see any Spanish scenes on screen.

Scenes in New York, especially the streets, were filmed in Glasgow, which doubles as an 1870s version of the now skyscraper-filled megacity. Cochrane Street in Glasgow features in particular, with CGI utilised to lengthen the street into one of New York’s lengthy avenues.

Simultaneously set in Gilded Age New York and Victorian Britain, there is a mixture of historical grandeur and so-called new money (well, it’s very old money now) throughout the series, manifested in stately homes with gorgeously intricate ceilings, cavernous ceilings and marble staircases – most of which can be found in Scotland. ‘I felt so lucky to be able to draw inspiration from the many beautiful country houses and castles in Scotland,’ production designer Amy Maguire told The Herald. ‘The settings of some of these houses were breathtaking – cliff top castles, natural coves, lochs stretching out of sight – not to mention the stunning grandeur of the buildings in both Glasgow and Edinburgh. We were truly spoilt for choice when piecing together our American and British worlds.’

Here are the spots to know.

The Buccaneers Filming Locations

Gosford House

Conchita (Alisha Boe) is anxiously awaiting the arrival of her soon-to-be husband at the Closson Mansion, her wedding venue. She leans out of the window scanning the New York streets below, while her best friend Nan (Kristine Froseth) even climbs out and scales the building to retrieve a dropped earring – so you might be surprised to learn that the real location is the secluded Gosford House in East Lothian, near Edinburgh. Set amid 5,000 acres of parkland and coast, the New York city street beyond the grand entrance in The Buccaneers is all CGI to magic the symmetrical stately house out of the countryside and into the heart of the city.

Magnus Hagdorn, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (cropped)

The wedding interiors – including the pink staircase where Nan and Guy (Matthew Broome) meet for the second time and descend mirroring each other’s movements – were also filmed at Gosford House, showcasing the property’s magnificent features.

Can You Visit? Yes. Gosford House (Longniddry EH32 0PX) can be hired for private events and weddings, and open house tours occur on select dates throughout the year. If you’re partial to a winter light trail, Wondrous Woods also takes place here in November, as well as an annual fireworks display for bonfire night and The Raven’s Ball will take place here in February 2024. gosfordhouse.co.uk

Educational Institute of Scotland

When Conchita travels to London with her new husband Lord Richard Marable (Josh Dylan), they move into his family home in London with the rest of the Brightlingsea (leading to a bit of newlywed tension). Rather than London, the exterior of the Brightlingseas’ Georgian terrace house was filmed in Edinburgh’s New Town at the Educational Institute of Scotland. The interiors, however, were filmed elsewhere, including at the Newhailes Estate in Musselburgh and at Hopetoun House.

Can You Visit? Yes, and you can find it at 46-48 Moray Pl, Edinburgh EH3 6BH. Note that the stately Georgian vibes pretty much end at the door.

Culzean Castle

Rather than Cornwall, Theo (the Duke of Tintagel, played by Guy Remmers)’s castle was filmed at Culzean Castle on the Ayrshire coast on the opposite side of Scotland – though the exterior was neatened up a bit with the help of CGI. Built between 1777 and 1792, it is the former home of the Marquess of Ailsa, the chief of Clan Kennedy, and is an iconic Scottish castle, having appeared as an illustration on the back of £5 notes issued by the Royal Bank of Scotland from 1972 until 2015.

Jamesx12345, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (cropped)

Theo’s little painting sanctuary was also filmed within Culzean Castle’s grounds, at a neo-gothic botanical pavilion named Camellia House, built in the early 19th century. The rest of the house, however, is an amalgamation of different locations across Scotland.

Can You Visit? Yes, Culzean Castle (Maybole KA19 8LE) is a National Trust for Scotland property, so visitors are very welcome. nts.org.uk

Hopetoun House

The inside of the Duke of Tintagel’s castle, however, was filmed at Hopetoun House near South Queensferry and close to Edinburgh. While Theo’s mother (Amelia Bullmore) spends her time gazing out of her tall windows to the sea, the real windows look out over the countryside.

George Gastin, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

Can You Visit? Yes, Hopetoun House (Queensferry, South Queensferry EH30 9RW) welcomes visitors throughout the year, though typically for specific events and on special open days. hopetoun.co.uk

University of Glasgow

When the Tintagells host their glamorous ball, we’re actually in University of Glasgow’s Undercroft, a series of gothic cloisters connecting different parts of campus.

Can You Visit? Yes, visitors can explore The Cloisters (Glasgow G12 8QQ), which can be found between the the East and West quadrangles. gla.ac.uk

The Cloisters at the University of Glasgow (Kristine Frøseth in “The Buccaneers,” now streaming on Apple TV+.)

Drumlanrig Castle

And finally, when we see the land-side facade of the Tintagell castle, we’re actually looking at Drumlanrig Castle in Dumfries and Galloway; some of the interior scenes were filmed here, too.

Can You Visit? Yes, Drumlanrig Castle (Thornhill DG3 4AQ) opens its doors on select days throughout the year, and for guided art collection tours, but visitors are welcome to the grounds year-round, including the Victorian gardens, adventure playground, tearoom, cafe and new self-catering properties. drumlanrigcastle.co.uk

Seacliff Beach

When Nan and Theo first meet and later go galavanting along the beach, they’re at Seacliff Beach in North Berwick, further east along the coast. In the background, the stone topped with a cross is Bass Rock.

Can You Visit? Yes, Seacliff Beach is a public beach and you can find it at North Berwick EH39 5PP.

Seacliff Beach (Guy Remmers in “The Buccaneers,” now streaming on Apple TV+.)

Glasgow City Chambers

With a magnificent dome and marble staircases galore, the Debutante’s Ball was at the Glasgow City Chambers. Built in the Beaux arts style between 1882 and 1888, it would be a shiny new, even futuristic building for The Buccaneers, who are travelling around England in the 1870s. When Nan and Jinny head outside to argue, however, we’re seeing Gosford House instead of the Glasgow City Chambers.

Michael D Beckwith, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

Can You Visit? Yes, plus Glasgow City Chambers (82 George Square, Glasgow G2 1DU) hosts daily guided tours of the beautiful property: at 10.30am and 2.30pm. visitscotland.com

Carolside House

When the cast go to Runnymede (a real place in Surrey), the house we see is actually the Carolside House, again in Scotland. The romantic and serene country home is surrounded by rolling parkland and beautiful manicured gardens, which also feature in the series (including when Theo asks Nan a very important question). The grounds’ waterfall, however, was filmed elsewhere: at Stichill Linn Waterfall in the Scottish Borders.

Can You Visit? You can’t visit the house, but you can visit Carolside House (Earlston TD4 6AL)’s gardens. historichouses.org

Carolside Gardens. (Alisha Boe, Josie Totah, Kristine Frøseth, Aubri Ibrag and Imogen Waterhouse in “The Buccaneers,” now streaming on Apple TV+.)