Doug and Abi take their three children on a family vacation to Scotland to visit their larger than life grandfather Gordie, who’s terminally ill. However, this doesn’t stop Gordie from making the most of the time with his grandchildren, with some hilarious laugh out loud moments.
What takes place at the scene: Gordie takes his grandchildren to the beach and parks himself in a deck chair as they build sandcastles and gather driftwood for a fire. Looking out to the remote and wild vista, they discuss how he would like a Viking funeral the same as his ancestors.
People who starred: Billy Connolly, Rosamund Pike, David Tennant
Year of release in UK: 2010
Insider blogger tips to Gairloch
Packed with a generous helping of genuine ‘laugh out moments’, British comedy ‘What We Did on Our Holiday’ also boasts some stunning backdrops thanks to a location shoot based mostly in Scotland’s Gairloch. The village’s beaches provide the setting for some of the film’s funniest and, later, most poignant scenes, including a Viking funeral for Billy Connolly’s character. Offscreen, they provide scenery for the local golf course where the club house also serves as a cafe, and the village also houses its own museum. Local boat owners can also provide trips, all of which will end more happily than Billy’s!
Fun Fact
Many of the cast of What We Did on Our Holiday have also starred in Doctor Who, including David Tennant, Ben Miller and Emilia Jones.
For those planning on building sandcastles and swimming in the North Sea, the best time to visit is during the summer, when the Highlands reach an average high temperature of 18°C.
In the North West corner of Scotland is the village of Gairloch. The area has several beaches, but it was the breathtaking and expansive Red Point beach that was used for filming. Expect excellent views over the Isle of Skye and plenty of rock pools for families to explore.
