In the past few years, Ayrshire has surged in popularity as a filming location for TV and movies thanks to its stunning views and unique areas. 

Major Holywood stars have filmed in the area, with hit mainstream TV shows also filming much of their scenes in the region. 

Here we take a look at some of the biggest and best shows that have been shot, or partly shot, in Ayrshire...

 

REBUS

Television crews descended on North Ayrshire back in July as filming got underway for a new drama.

Crews were spotted at the Rowan Tree Garden Centre near Ardrossan, as well as in the Ardeer area. 

The show they were filming is Rebus, a new adaptation of the surly detective created by Scottish author, Ian Rankin. 

Rebus is being produced by Nordic streaming service Viaplay, with the adaption starring Richard Rankin, and is due on our screens next year.

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ANNIKA

Scenes were also filmed across North Ayrshire back in 2021 for hit crime drama Annika. 

The show, starring fan favourite Nicola Walker, aired on Alibi in the UK to great reception from fans. 

Scenes for the show were filmed at Largs Yacht Haven, with rumours of filming in other locations nearby too. 

The show followed the sharp, witty and enigmatic DI Annika Strandhed as she heads up a new specialist Marine Homicide Unit.

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VIGIL

One of the BBC's most popular shows of 2021, Vigil starring Martin Compston and Surranne Jones was partly filmed in Largs, Cumbrae and Hunterson the previous year. 

The show was received with critical and public acclaim, with millions across the country hooked every week, and it was even given a BAFTA nomination.

One particular scene in the show shows actors sitting outside the Green Shutters Bistro as the Largs to Cumbrae ferry sails past. 

Scenes for the second season of the submarine drama were shot in Glasgow earlier this year, and are expected to be seen on our screens very soon.

Ayrshire Today:

SHETLAND

Now heading into its eighth season, Shetland has filmed in the Largs and Ayr areas for several years. 

The show, which will head into its next season without star Douglas Henshall, focusses on crime and policing in rural Shetland. 

Filming for series eight took place in April and May earlier this year on the Old Largs Road, with a vintage Land Rover snapped as part of the set.

The vehicle was captured rigged up to a camera car, with the 1983 four-wheeler sitting on a low loader. 

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OUTLAW KING

Star Trek actor Chris Pine was said to be filming at Portencross for Netfix serial 'Outlaw King' about Robert The Bruce back in 2017.

Several medieval style tents were erected on the field area between Hunterston and Portencross for the filming, with the main entrance road to Portencross closed to traffic.

At the same time, filming was ongoing in West Kilbride at Hunterston House for David Walliams' children's adventure 'Grandpa's Great Escape'.

Ayrshire Today:

BELL BOTTOM

Camera crews descended on Irvine beach back in September 2020 to film scenes as part of a Bollywood blockbuster.

The cast of Bell Bottom were in town to film a music scene which featured in the movie, with filming for the blockbuster also taking place at Prestwick Airport.

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CAVENDISH

Back in 2021, Kilwinning Sports Club was transformed into a location for an Amazon Prime show.

The club’s pitches were being filmed as part of Scottish show Cavendish, starring Kilbirnie actress Maddy Bryce.

Maddy wrote the show, set in a posh Scottish boarding school, in 2019 as a short film for her showreel.

After shooting an eight minute piece, it was suggested Maddy write more and during lockdown the decision was made to take the two short episodes and combine them for one episode.

It was submitted to Amazon Prime and went live in January 2021.

Ayrshire Today: Maddy and the crew work out the perfect camera angle

FALLING BLOCKS: TETRIS

In February 2021, Prestwick Airport was transformed into 1980s Soviet Russia for the filming of a Hollywood blockbuster.

Film crews were spotted at the airport to shoot scenes for the Falling Blocs: Tetris movie starring Taron Egerton.

The actor played Dutch businessman Henk Rogers, a front-runner in the formation of The Tetris Company.

Turned into 1980s Moscow, the airport grounds were filled with motors from the era which were adorned with Russian registration plates alongside numerous cameras and large filming equipment which hung overhead

Ayrshire Today:

MAYFLIES

At the end of last year, filming for one of the festive TV schedule's most anticipated shows took place in Ayrshire.

Tony Curran and Martin Compston starred in Mayflies, which was filmed at several locations in the area.

The Greenan shore and the Ballast Bank in Troon were among the local settings for the drama, which was shown over two nights to critical acclaim.

Film crews and trailers were spotted at the Queens Terrace car park in September, while some streets in Troon were shut to allow filming to take place.

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