Our Summer Isle journey to Scotland began on May 24th and ended on June 7th. The Wicker Man trail started in the port town of Stranraer where we rented a car for four days and explored the coastal towns of Galloway and Dumfries. Below are images and videos plus postcards and location brochures that we collected along the way. The chronological order of the blog follows the soundtrack of the film not necessarily the order in which we traveled. We hope you enjoy our blog. Please note this blog is constantly being updated with more details from the journey.

--Amberlyn & Michael


Film Still - The Wicker Man©1973

Lowlands - Dumfries and Galloway

We found this great 2nd hand book shop in Glasgow and purchased this 1950's fold out map of Scotland... it came in handy for our travels by car.


The pages are stained and cracking...

Here is a close up of the Wicker Man trail... which begins in the Lowlands of Scotland... Our journey also includes visits to the Highlands and Isle of Skye, which are also film locations in the beginning credits of the 1973 film.

Opening Music / Loving Couples / The Ruined Church

Opening Music

Our Arrival into Stranraer Station & Sandhead Beach



Loving Couples

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The Ruined Church

Whithorn Kirkyard Cathedral Ruins (No. 5)

Click image above for the details of the Whithorn Visitor Center

Corn Rigs / May Morrison's Daughter

Corn Rigs - Howie's arrival to Summer Isle

Images from Isle of Whithorn Harbour and Kirkcubright

Another Post Card...

Hares at Sunset, Keith Kirk

The Landlord's Daughter

Michael enjoys a pint in the pub











E6 Cross processed | Holga Camera

Gently Johnny

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Willow's Song

Film Still - The Wicker Man©1973

Willow's Song

"Green Man Inn" / The Ellangown Hotel

Maypole

Contact Sheet of Anwoth Cemetery | Holga Camera




Anwoth Cemetery, circa 1660


Maypole Song

Images from Anwoth Cemetery & Waldorf May Day Faire

Searching for Rowan

High Street was used for several film locations

A Prayer for the Righteous

Kirkcubright's Episcopal Church


Postcard of the Episcopal Church












Interior used for Howie's Sermon

Episcopal Church Contact Sheet | Holga Camera

Fire Leap / Castle Kennedy

Castle Kennedy
The fire dancing took place here in the gardens. The ruin of Castle Kennedy was in the back ground.


Film Still - The Wicker Man©1973

Below is a postcard of Castle Kennedy Gardens

Lord Summerisle / Tinker of Rye

HOWIE AND SUMMERISLE’S MEETING
Logan Botanical Garden

Post Card Photography by Allan Wright


It was a lovely time - bright warm sun over head and we enjoyed an ice cream in the cafe. The grounds are so immense, sadly we did not explore all of it. Click map below for Logan Botanic Garden details.

View of central pond

E6 Cross Processed | Holga



Logan House Garden

Though the Logan House Garden was not in the film - this is the original Logan Home which use to include the Logan Botanic Garden estate. Now both locations are open to the public for about £3.00 - £4.00.














E6 Cross Processed | Holga

Cute bag from the Logan Botanic Garden. We bought a lot of postcards and kept the bags...

Lullaby

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The Masks / The Hobby Horse

The following chapters were filmed in Kirkcubright: May Day Preparations, The Search, Hand of Glory, & Let the Festivities Begin. The sound tracks include: The Masks & The Hobby Horse.












Contact Images of Kirkcubright | Holga Camera














Here is a vintage postcard of St. Cuthbert Street.

Another location that is not in the movie, but we want to share with you, is the Stewartry Museum. It is worth checking out... The museum opened in 1893 and has a great collection of taxidermy. We loved their little brown bags and museum logo.

Procession

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Chop Chop

Castle Kennedy and Gardens

Festival / Mirie it is / Summer is a-Cumen in

St. Ninian's Cave is the birthplace of Christianity in Scotland... It is said that St. Ninian arrived from Ireland about 397AD. To reach the cave you must walk through a wooded path for about two miles until you reach the rocky shore... You will see the Cave at the end of the beach on your right. You can read more about this sacred Christian spot at St. Ninian.

Post Card of St. Ninian Locations - Photography by Allan Wright










Which way do we go?



Howie's final efforts are met as he finds Rowan at the cave's entrance.


The Crosses of St. Ninian

Music: Fror Das Frores | Sangre Cavallum



















St. Ninian's Cave Contact Sheet | Holga Camera



Festival

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Mirie it is

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Summer is a-Cumen in

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Appointment with the Wicker Man

Sunset

Film Still - The Wicker Man ©1973



Images of Stranrar Harbour, our last evening...