Pennan is a tiny, sheltered fishing village on Scotland’s northeast coast, tucked beneath steep cliffs along the Moray Firth. With its whitewashed cottages, narrow single-track road, and dramatic sea views, it feels largely unchanged for decades and is known for its quiet, remote atmosphere. Pennan became internationally famous after appearing in the film Local Hero (1983), where its red telephone box on the seafront became an iconic symbol of the movie. The village was used extensively for exterior scenes, portraying the fictional coastal village of Ferness. Today, that same phone box remains a popular photo stop for visitors following in the footsteps of the film. Visitors to Pennan can walk the small harbour, explore the pebble beach, and take in sweeping coastal views where dolphins are sometimes spotted offshore. Nearby highlights include the villages of Gardenstown (Gamrie) and Crovie, both similarly picturesque and used in film and photography for their dramatic cliffside settings. The wider Aberdeenshire coastline offers quiet walking routes, historic fishing communities, and some of the most atmospheric coastal scenery in Scotland.
Filmed here
Local Hero 1983
