Shubhabrata Dutta
America’s Gilded Age takes center stage in the Apple TV+ historical drama series, ‘The Buccaneers.’ Adapted from Edith Wharton’s novel of the same name by Katherine Jakeways, the show, set in the 1870s, revolves around five outspoken women belonging to the nouveau riche class. It follows the ladies as they navigate the British high society and its traditions after arriving in England to find themselves loving husbands. While season 1 introduces the women to the English aristocracy, season 2 dives deeper into the new world, bringing along new events involving relationships and societal politics, which test the ladies in myriad ways. While carrying forward the historical themes, the second season of ‘The Buccaneers’ takes the viewers back to the familiar English settings and offers fresh ones, thereby expanding the visual canvas.
The Buccaneers Filming Locations
While ‘The Buccaneers’ is set in New York, London, and Cornwall, it is filmed in Scotland, Spain, specifically in Madrid, and Croatia, specifically in Istria. Filming of season 1 reportedly took place in 2022 between June and December. Principal photography of the sophomore round began towards the end of May 2024 and continued for several months before wrapping up in the second week of October the same year. The production team left no stone unturned to give authentic shape to the historical drama series using real backdrops across numerous locations.
Glasgow, Scotland
Glasgow, located in west central Scotland, was recorded to recreate various areas of New York and London as shown in ‘The Buccaneers.’ Cochrane Street, a well-known thoroughfare in the center of Glasgow, doubled for Fifth Avenue in Manhattan. St. Vincent Street became the entrance onto New York’s Madison Avenue. The streets in several scenes were extended using CGI during post-production. The interiors of the Glasgow City Chambers, at 82 George Square, were used to show the Grosvenor House in London. These included the staircase, the landing, and other rooms.
Other streets used for taping outdoor scenes are Montrose Street, George Street, Ingram Street, the path between the latter two streets, South Frederick Street, and Ingram Street. Glasgow city center, the city’s central business district, was also accessed for additional shots. The production team also went to the campus of the University of Glasgow, at University Avenue, where the Undercroft, which connects the East and West quadrangles, was used to capture several scenes, including the scenes of the glamorous ball hosted by the Tintagells.
Stirling, Scotland
In Stirling, a city in central Scotland, the crew accessed the grand spaces of Touch House, an 18th-century mansion, to film scenes featuring the Honourslove, the family home of Guy Thwarte. The mansion was previously a tower built in the 15th century. The property dates back to the 12th century and was passed down from one family to another, including the Frasers in the 13th century, the Stewart Earls of Buchan in the 15th century, and Seton-Stewarts of Allanton and Touch in the 18th century. It was restored in the late 1920s by Sir Robert Lorimer and is currently a private home and business center.
Edinburgh, Scotland
The Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS) building at 46-48 Moray Place in Edinburgh became the setting for many interior and exterior shots of the Brightlingsea Townhouse. The crew took special care in opting for buildings and structures that serve as a reminder of the architecture of the time. “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,” production designer Amy Maguire told The Herald.
Midlothian, Scotland
In Midlothian county, part of Scotland’s Central Lowlands region, the team traveled to Preston Hall, a late-18th-century mansion, whose walled garden, with its two gazebos, became the backdrop for filming outdoor sequences set at Honourslove. Protected as a Category A listed building, Preston Hall is a family-run estate known for its Georgian architecture and gorgeous gardens. While the garden offers private tours, you can rent the space for celebrations, corporate events, and photography.
Perthshire, Scotland
The production team set up camp in various locations across Perthshire, a county in central Scotland. Many outdoor shots featuring Honourslove were taped at the iconic Murray Star Maze, part of the Scone Palace, located near the city of Perth, the county seat of Perthshire. Designed in the shape of the five-pointed star that can be spotted in the Murray family crest, the maze has a pentagonal fountain at its center and comprises 2,000 beech trees, half of which are green and the other half of them are copper.
The Chapel of St. Anthony the Eremite, within the grounds of Murthly Estate near Dunkeld in Highland Perthshire, doubled as a setting for Tintagel Castle. A wedding scene is shot inside the chapel premises. The castle comprises reception rooms, a walled garden, and tree-lined avenues and grounds, all of which make it a sought-after venue for filming and social and corporate events. The castle itself was used to lens additional scenes, including those featuring a Scottish lodge. Perthshire was utilized for many wide shots too, including the Tigh Na Blair Farm, situated in the hills of Southern Perthshire. “We wanted to keep the audience on its toes, give them a treat each week, with the girls having an entirely new experience in an entirely new world,” executive producer Beth Willis told The Herald.
Ayrshire, Scotland
In Ayrshire county, the crew shot many scenes featuring the Tintagel Castle inside the 18th-century Culzean Castle. The castle’s Round Drawing Room was utilized for golden hour scenes, while the Camellia House, which was built in 1818 as an Orangery, became an artist’s retreat in the show. The structure is currently used to grow camellias and is a registered wedding venue. The over 640-acre estate stands atop the Ayrshire cliffs and once served as the playground of David Kennedy, 10th Earl of Cassillis. The Country Park nearby is open to the public and offers woods, parkland, beaches, a deer park, and cliffs for some wonderful family time. The area around the Portencross Castle, situated in Portencross, a hamlet in North Ayrshire, served as the backdrop to highlight the Tintagel estate.
South Queensferry, Scotland
The period interiors of the Hopetoun House, an 18th-century country house estate in the town of South Queensferry, west of Edinburgh, doubled for multiple indoor settings. The crew filmed a few scenes set in the Tintagel Castle, Brightlingsea Townhouse, and Honourslove. The estate is open to the public and is famous for its grounds and guided walks. It is also a venue for various events. The Barnbougle Castle, a 17th-century tower house, was used to capture sequences in the Scottish lodge we spoke of earlier. The crew captured some countryside shots in the town to enhance the show’s visual appeal.
Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland
In Dumfries and Galloway, the production team shot a few Tintagel Castle scenes at Drumlanrig Castle & Gardens. Akin to the above-mentioned estates, the 120-room castle oozes elegance. A stunning example of 17th-century Renaissance architecture, it is open to the public for pre-booked visits. Attractions include castle tours, garden tours, a castle tearoom, a gift shop, an adventure playground for kids, and more. People can enjoy pre-booked stays in self-catering apartments and cottages just minutes from the castle.
Inverness-shire, Scotland
The 19th-century 38,000-acre baronial Ardverikie Castle, located in Kinloch Laggan, a hamlet in Inverness-shire, served as the backdrop for scenes featuring the Scottish lodge mentioned above. Like Drumlanrig Castle & Gardens, it offers holiday cottages while ensuring environmental conservation. It has been under the same family ownership for almost 150 years. The estate has areas open for the public, although no vehicles are allowed. It also served as a setting for ‘Monarch of the Glen’ and ‘Outlander.’
East Lothian, Scotland
In East Lothian, the crew resorted to the town of Musselburgh, where it set up shop inside the 18th-century Newhailes House and Gardens situated on Newhailes Road. The estate doubled for various interior and exterior sections of the Brightlingsea Townhouse. The library was customized to resemble a wood-panelled dining room. A tarmac road was turned into the Saint Abb’s Head coastline using gravel from a local quarry.
The estate is open for public visits and offers scenic views of the River Forth, woodland walks, and a café, among other attractions. The crew worked closely with the National Trust for Scotland to ensure streamlined production. Several shots were taped at Seacliff Beach, which doubled for the Cornish Coast. The Tantallon Castle can also be spotted near the beach. The 5000-acre neo-classical Gosford House is another country house in East Lothian that doubled as the Closson family house. The nearby boating pond was taped to represent the grounds of Runnymede in Surrey, England.
Midlothian, Scotland
In Midlothian, the historical Arniston House, located at 1 Arniston Home Farm Cottages, was filmed inside and out for interior and exterior shots showcasing the Brightlingsea Townhouse. Home to the Dundas family since 1571, the 18th-century mansion and the 6,000-acre estate offer a soothing countryside retreat for visitors. The estate has five holiday cottages available for accommodation year-round. You can also rent it for your picturesque wedding.
Bathgate, Scotland
Many scenes requiring controlled environments and sound stages were reportedly filmed at Pyramids Studios, located at Easter Inch in Bathgate, a town in West Lothian. The two-stage 380,200-square-foot facility offers top-tier production services and equipment. It has dedicated office space and backlots for outdoor filming. A proof of Scotland’s growing popularity as a filming hub, the studio has served as the base for projects like ‘Outlaw King’ and ‘T2 Trainspotting.’
Scottish Borders, Scotland
The crew accessed the spaces of the 18th-century Carolside House and Gardens, in the Scottish Borders, to recreate Runnymede. The breakfast room, sitting room, veranda, gardens, and lawn were all captured to give proper shape to Runnymede. The property boasts some of the finest gardens in the country, including the National Collection of Gallica Roses. The interiors of St. George’s Mansion are filmed at Manderston House, an Edwardian home known for having the world’s only silver-plated staircase. Its marble entrance hall, the damask-lined ballroom, and several bedrooms can be spotted in the show as well. The cabin near the lake became Mabel and Honoria’s cabin. While the house was built in the 18th century, it was remodeled in 1905 and can be exclusively rented for photo shoots, weddings, corporate events, and filming.
Berwickshire, Scotland
The historic county of Berwickshire was used for several sequences in ‘The Buccaneers.’ Saint Abb’s Head, a rocky promontory in the village of Saint Abbs on the Berwickshire coast, doubled as the Cornwall coast. The Pettico Wick Bay, situated in the Saint Abb’s Head National Nature Reserve, is another natural backdrop utilized to highlight the Tintagel estate and the Cornish coast. The Cove Harbor Cottage, at Ove Harbor, was shot as the exterior of a Cornish Inn. It can be accessed only on foot and offers tourists a luxurious stay with views of the North Sea.
Roxburghshire, Scotland
The team went to the county of Roxburghshire, specifically to the Newton Don Estate near the market town of Kelso, to capture scenes near the majestic 40-foot Stichill Linn waterfall. The ravine doubled as a swimming pond at Runnymede. While Stichill Linn is well-known among locals, popular tourist spots include Kelso Abbey, Floors Castle, and Kelso Bridge. The estate is home to parks and woodland and was built in the late 18th century, where the village of Little Newton once stood. Roxburghshire itself is famous for many castles and historical buildings, like Floors Castle, Jedburgh Abbey, and Mary Queen of Scots House.
Argyll and Bute, Scotland
The Geilston Gardens, a National Trust for Scotland property located near the village of Cardross in Argyll and Bute, was used to capture additional outdoor scenes. The over-200-year-old classical style garden packs a colorful punch with its vegetables, seasonal plants, and wooden areas. Situated on the banks of the River Clyde, it is a go-to spot for visitors and local people alike. Other visiting spots in Argyll and Bute include Oban Distillery, McCaig’s Tower, and the Isle of Bute.
Greenock, Scotland
Just like Argyll and Bute, the industrial town of Greenock, in the Inverclyde Council, was reportedly used for wide shots and establishing shots. The crew went to Gibshill, AKA the Gibby, a housing estate, to capture scenes featuring peaceful residential areas. Part of the Renfrewshire county, Greenock is known for its ports, like the Port of Greenock, Greenock Cruise Port, The Greenock Ocean Terminal, and Peel Ports Greenock Ocean Terminal.
Istria, Croatia
The crew shifted base to the Istria Peninsula, in Croatia, where it taped scenes featuring the fictional Italian town Porto Salvo. Located between the Kvarner Gulf and the Gulf of Trieste in the Adriatic Sea, the peninsula boasts Gothic and Romanesque architecture, due to its historical ties with Venice. This aspect enabled the crew to add authenticity to Porto Salvo. The rocky shores and the blue waters further aid in enhancing the Italian setting. Some iconic structures in Istria that have stood the test of time include Arco dei Sergi, Decumanus Street, Church of St. Mary and St. Peregrin, Gate of Hercules, and Sinčić Palace.
Madrid, Spain
While almost all of the scenes in ‘The Buccaneers’ are filmed in Scotland, a few scenes reportedly took the crew to Madrid, the capital of Spain. Madrid, like Scotland, is full of historical architecture that may have been useful for specific additional scenes in the show. The city offers tax benefits, which make it a popular filming hub for international projects. Some of the most famous landmarks and buildings in the city are Puerta de Alcalá, Plaza Mayor, Fountain of Cybele, Almudena Cathedral, and Callao Square. ‘The Lady’s Companion‘ and ‘The Gardener’ are also filmed in Madrid.
Read More: The Buccaneers Season 2 Episode 1 Recap: The Duchess of Tintagel
