Wicker Man, The

P.C. Hugh McTaggert (John Hallam) meets Sergeant Neil Howie (Edward Woodward) after he lands his seaplane following a routine patrol. The Finding the Wicker Man website confirms that this is the West Pier of Stranraer harbour in Stranraer, Wigtownshire.

Not the most promising start, one might think given the removal of the building, but brother Robin James (RJ), who went on an Wicker Man rampage through Scotland, knows what he's doing. (SJ)

After the Sergeant tells McTaggert to get his hair cut, the two West Highlands Constabulary officers walk past a graffiti covered wall. Looking landward from the West Pier of Stranraer harbour in Stranraer.

Panning round and see that house on the hill to the right. The building daubed with graffiti has long gone. RJ

McTaggert is told to get the graffiti removed as the pair continue towards a police Mini. Stranraer harbour's West Pier with buildings on Agnew Crescent crossing the background.

And another match on the hill on the left in the now with right in the then. The west pier of Stranraer. RJ

On Sunday 29th April, Neil Howie delivers an address in church before Communion. This is the Greyfriars Episcopal church at the corner of St. Cuthbert Street and Castle Bank in Kirkcudbright, Kirkcudbrightshire identified by RJ.

My brother RJ took an outside picture of the same window back in February 2011. Thirteen years later, Finlay Ferguson was lucky enough to be invited within and provides this interior shot. (SJ)

Looking at the Summerisle postmark, a Postman (Tony Roper) holds a letter addressed to Sergeant Howie at Ullswater police station. Broadstone Road in Stranraer with Briarbrae to the right, identified on "The Wicker Man (1973) Wikia" of fandom.com.

The Sergeant arrives at the police station to find McTaggert and the Postman speculating about the puritanical Howie having a "bit of skirt" on Summerisle. The since demolished police station on High Street in Kirkcudbright, next to the Sheriff Court House.

Completely rebuilt but note the police sign. High Street, Kirkcudbright. RJ

Reading the anonymous letter concerning the disappearance of May Morrison's daughter on Summerisle, Sergeant Howie takes off to investigate.

The Thurston Teal seaplane flies over the verdant fields and terraces of the remote island famous for its apples and other produce.

Passing over palm trees and blossoming orchards Sergeant Howie reaches the island's centre of habitation. Looking down onto Plockton in Ross & Cromarty.

Flanked by two Villagers, the Harbour Master (Russell Waters) shouts out to the Sergeant that he can't land here without written permission. Tigh-an-Rhudhe on Cooper Street in Plockton, Ross & Cromarty.

The sound of hooves grows louder as a horse and Rider come into view. Facing number 41 Harbour Street, Plockton on the western shore of Loch Carron in the western Highlands.

Sash windows slide open and Children lean out as a Villager rows Sergeant Howie ashore. Tigh Nan Saor on Harbour Street, Plockton.

Passing the photograph between each other, none of the Fishermen who have gathered around recognise the image of Rowan Morrison. Cooper Street with Tullochard in the background.

Finally extracting the name May Morrison from the Harbour Master, Sergeant Howie heads for the Post Office in the High Street. Looking westward along the path across the shingle and sand to Harbour Street, Plockton.

Lionel and Cynthia Sear went out of their way to capture this shot for us while they were away. (RL)

The Sergeant can't help but notice that the village on the island off the West Coast of Scotland is full of blooming flowers and tropical plants. Facing south-westward on Harbour Street in Plockton.

More doors and windows open as curious Villagers gaze at the unusual sight of a uniformed official from the mainland. Ann Street in Gatehouse of Fleet, Kirkcudbrightshire.

A wider view of the buildings in Gatehouse of Fleet. RJ

An older Villager steps out of his cottage as the Sergeant walks by. This location came to light over the 50th anniversary weekend during which both Finlay Ferguson and Mike Atkinson contacted us within 24 hours of each other. The row of cottages to the right stand on Castle Bank in Kirkcudbright opposite Greyfriars church, which was used for the earlier Sermon scene, and the ruins of MacLellan's Castle.

My brother Robin found the correct place. (SJ)

David Tymm updates the scene.

Sergeant Howie reaches May Morrison's sweet shop and Post Office. High Street in Kirkcudbright, Kirkcudbrightshire with Fisher's Street on the left, identified by Robin James.

The shop at 84 High Street now. RJ

Not a great deal of change in David Tymm's comparison.

After May denies that the girl in the photograph is her daughter, the Sergeant heads for the Green Man Inn to find a room for the night. The Cally Estates office on Ann Street in Gatehouse of Fleet.

Yes, just offices. RJ

David Tymm found that the window arrangement has been altered.

Taking a breath of fresh air following a poor supper, Sergeant Howie spots naked Couples fornicating as he looks over a stone wall. Iain Carr identifies the wall of Old Kirk at Anwoth in Kirkcudbrightshire with the Old Schoolhouse to the top left.

This took a bit of finding but after lining up his shot, Iain found the same group of matching stones.

A lone Girl (Lorraine Peters) sits crying on a grave. Iain Carr believes that he has found this location . . . outside Old Kirk at Anwoth. "If capture 29 is studied, the headstone in the middle of the shot is the same one that the actress is sitting behind here, confirming that the stone is a prop. Even in 1973, I don’t think that anyone naked in a churchyard would be acceptable out of public respect, so I suspect that the shot was taken outside the churchyard wall with the camera inside the churchyard. Looking to the top left of the image, what appears to be the base of the maypole is visible."

As he prays before bed, the Sergeant is disturbed by Lord Summerisle when he brings young Ash Buchanan to visit the Landlord's daughter, Willow MacGregor (Britt Ekland). The Finding the Wicker Man website describes this scene as being shot at the rear of 59 George Street in Whithorn, Wigtownshire.

Finding the Willow cleaning outside the next morning, Sergeant Howie asks her where the school is. Ann Street in Gatehouse of Fleet, outside the Cally Estate office.

The fairly unchanged view, opposite the offices that masqueraded as the pub. RJ

On the far side of the green, the School Master (Walter Carr) leads his Pupils in a pagan fertility song as they dance around a maypole. In the background stands the Old Kirk at Anwoth in Kirkcudbrightshire, found by RJ.

The church now. RJ

No such festivities around the Maypole when David Tymm arrived.

The Sergeant continues on to the schoolhouse where Miss Rose is educating the Girls about the maypole. The Old Schoolhouse at Anwoth.

The Old Schoolhouse stands opposite the Old Kirk. RJ

David Tymm attended school.

Discovering Rowan Morrison's name in the class register, Sergeant Howie listens to Miss Rose (Diane Cilento) as she explains. Outside Anwoth's Old Schoolhouse.

The same corner of the building captured by Iain Carr.

Learning that Rowan's remains may be found in the earth, the Sergeant heads to the derelict church across from the school. Looking towards the ruins of the Old Kirk at Anwoth.

Iain Carr returned to the scene.

Sergeant Howie walks through the grave yard. Bell's Monument Graveyard at Anwoth.

The same tombstone. RJ

Beech Buchanan's headstone stands out. Bell's Monument Graveyard surrounding the Old Kirk.

Now. RJ

Entering the ruins of the small church, the Sergeant finds a pile of smashed pews and screens. The Old Kirk at Anwoth to the west of Gatehouse of Fleet.

Robin James admires the Sergeant's tidying up.

A Woman (Barbara Ann Brown) breastfeeds her Child as Sergeant Howie clears the alter of empty apple boxes before fashioning a cross from scraps of wood. The Old Kirk, Anwoth in Kirkcudbright.

Facing the memorial to John Gordon and his Family. RJ

Finding a Gardener (Aubrey Morris) at work, the Sergeant enquires about the trees planted on most of the graves. Bell's Monument Graveyard, Anwoth.

One grave real, the other a prop? RJ

David Tymm found the stone still standing.

When asked, the Gardener tells Howie that a sapling Rowan grows from where Rowan Morrison lies. Bell's Monument Graveyard at Anwoth.

Another real one. RJ

Disgusted by the sight of Rowan's naval string, the Sergeant asks where the Minister lives, which causes the Gardener to laugh. Looking towards the Mausoleum in Bell's Monument Graveyard.

The background mausoleum remains. RJ

Sergeant Howie returns to the Post Office where he finds Mrs. Morrison popping a frog into her daughter Myrtle's mouth to heal a sore throat. 84 High Street in Kirkcudbright.

Now a gallery. RJ

David Tymm found the gallery still present.

Coming to believe that everyone is raving mad, the Sergeant learns that Dr. Hawthorn Ewan (John Sharp) signed Rowan Morrison's death certificate after she was burned to death. 18 High Street, Gatehouse of Fleet identified by RJ.

No unexpected changes. RJ

After paying a visit to the registry office where he finds Rowan's name absent from the index of deaths, Sergeant Howie asks Mr. Lennox (Donald Eccles) the chemist about the previous year's missing harvest festival photograph. The Finding the Wicker Man website identifies this as the pharmacy at 20 High Street, Gatehouse of Fleet.

On his way to ask Lord Summerisle to allow the exhumation of Rowan Morrison, the Sergeant is driven past the school by his Lordship's Gillie (Penny Cluer). Facing the Old Schoolhouse in Anwoth.

The tree's grown. RJ

A clearer view of the Old Schoolhouse by David Tymm.

The trap passes gardens containing phallic topiary and orchards full of apple blossom. The Kent Film Office website states "The gardens and orchard of the Hush Heath Estate at Staplehurst, Kent were used as the grove of Lord Summerisle’s Estate, where young, pregnant women wander through the blossom, and through which Sergeant Howie arrives on a carriage."

On the road, Sergeant Howie's attention is drawn to naked figures dancing through Neolithic standing stones. In the distance stand the ruins of Castle Kennedy to the east of Stranraer in Wigtownshire.

A closer shot of the ruins.

Singing about fertility, young Women jump over a fire as they dance through the ancient stone circle. Prop standing stones erected in the grounds of Castle Kennedy.

The bank without the stones. RJ

Lord Summerisle's castle comes into view. The Grade A listed Culzean Castle at Maybole in Ayrshire.

On the cost overlooking Ailsa Craig in the Irish sea, between Stranraer and Ayr. RJ

The trap passes through an archway and into the courtyard. The castellated entrance arch at Culzean Castle.

Shown inside by Brooke, Sergeant Howie is appalled when Lord Summerisle explains his and the Islander’s pagan beliefs that have been handed down over years. The eastern aspect of Culzean Castle which was built between 1777 and 1792.

Lord Summerisle shows the Sergeant around the grounds planted out with new cultivars developed by his Grandfather, the success of which became a way of appeasing the old Gods. Culzean Castle in Ayrshire. Finding the Wicker Man website advises that Logan Botanic Gardens near Stranraer played the part of Lord Summerisle's gardens on his estate.

On the morning of 1st May, following the exhumation of Rowan's coffin and the discovery of a hare inside, a line of Children carry a mummified doll along the street outside the library. Looking north on George Street in Whithorn, Wigtownshire located by RJ.

Easier access to the old library now. RJ

No children in David Tymm's shot.

Inside the library, Sergeant Howie researches May Day festivals after concluding that Rowan Morrison isn't dead. The Arts and Crafts style library on George Street, Whithorn.

Yup, that's the place. RJ

Still there! As David Tymm discovered.

The Harbour Master calls to the Sergeant as he makes his way back to his plane to fly to the mainland and fetch more police officers. Facing Tigh-an-Rhudhe in Plockton as described on "The Wicker Man (1973) Wikia" of fandom.com.

A group of Villagers raise their masked heads above the top of a wall as the Harbour Master rows Sergeant Howie to his aircraft. Tigh-an-Rhudhe on Cooper Street, Plockton.

Lionel and Cynthia were greatly helped by the www.scotlandthemovie.com website to which we have a link. Once again Lionel risked life and limb to capture this shot for Reelstreets. (RL)

The Sergeant calls the Harbour Master back when the plane's engine fails to start. The waters of Loch Carron at Plockton with Tigh-an-Rhudhe in the right background.

Back in the village, the Sergeant passes an alley where he spots Oak (Ian Campbell) dressed as a Hobby Horse at the far end. Looking into Police Close from High Street in Kirkcudbright found by Paul Allan.

Iain Carr remarks that the rather plain alley has been decorated with flowers.

Oak disappears from view when the Policeman follows before turning onto another pathway. The alley between number 83 and Sheriff Court House on High Street, Kirkcudbright.

From ground level by Iain Carr who noticed that some of the now missing iron fence has been used to fill the gap between the house and stone gate pillar.

Making his way along a passage, Sergeant Howie continues his search for the Hobby Horse. Police Close of High Street, Kirkcudbright.

More decoration in Iain Carr's comparison.

Sergeant Howie runs down an alleyway when he hears the Hobby Horse gnashing his teeth. High Street Kirkcudbright with number 70, Ironstones, to the left.

The same alley. RJ

Oak pauses to let the Sergeant catch up. Palmer's Close in Kirkcudbright.

Iain Carr found a car instead of a Hobby Horse.

As Sergeant Howie reaches the end of another passageway the Hobby Horse moves off again. Between 100 and 96 High Street, Kirkcudbright.

The alley now taken by Iain Carr.

The Sergeant heads to cut off the Hobby Horse's escape. Outside number 83 High Street, Kirkcudbright.

Iain Carr points out the repurposed iron fence mentioned earlier.

Turning a corner, Sergeant Howie continues to run. Looking into the alley between number 83 and the Sheriff Court House on High Street.

Facing the same direction, Iain Carr provides this view 53 years later.

The Sergeant sees the Hobby Horse turn into a courtyard. This church-like building is the Tolbooth, a municipal building at the Market Cross on High Street in Kirkcudbright. Formerly used as a prison and a meeting place for the council, now an art gallery. RJ

Mostly cars unfortunately. RJ

Looking through a widow, Sergeant Howie sees Lord Summerisle and other Villagers making preparation for the forthcoming May Day celebration. The courtyard at Lochinch Castle near Stranraer as advised on almostginger.com.

Asking if all is under control, Lord Summerisle (Christopher Lee) dances in front of Oak. The courtyard at Lochinch Castle. Other parts of the castle were used for interiors of Lord Summerisle's home.

Lord Summerisle addresses the gathering, announcing that after meeting outside the town hall at 3 o'clock, they will process through the village and the countryside to the beach below the stones. The courtyard at Lochinch Castle in Wigtownshire.

Sergeant Howie begins to search the village for the missing Child. Sannachan Cottage, number 38 Harbour Street in Plockton.

A large house is next to be visited. Isle of Whithorn Castle off Main Street in Isle of Whithorn, Wigtownshire.

The camera tilts down to find Sergeant Howie leaving. Isle of Whithorn Castle identified on "The Wicker Man (1973) Wikia" of fandom.com.

Inside another home, the Sergeant is a shocked when an apparently dead Young Girl falls from a cupboard . . . only to laugh at him when he kneels to help. Castle Bank in Kirkcudbright as seen earlier . . . and later.

Iain Carr found the door.

Sergeant Howie enters a property where he falls down stairs into a room of half dressed Women who are getting ready for the procession.

After disturbing a Lady at her spinning wheel, Sergeant Howie spots a ship moored off shore.

Returning to land following a search of the vessel, the Sergeant enters the bakery. Harbour Cottage on Castle Bank, Kirkcudbright as detailed on movie-locations.com, now now yet another art gallery. (SJ)

The same row by Iain Carr, now housing the Harbour Cottage Gallery.

The Villagers make final preparations. The Tolbooth in Kirkcudbright.

Captured by Alison James. there's RJ joining in the festivities.

Getting his room key from Alder MacGregor (Lindsay Kemp), the Sergeant downs a glass of whisky before going to his room for a lie down. The Ellangowan Hotel, Creetown to the west of Kirkcudbright.

The interior of the pub. RJ

Following the route that has become sacred to their rite, Lord Summerisle leads the villagers through the countryside. The gardens of Castle Kennedy on the A75 out of Stranraer.

Roughly the correct place, just perhaps a little further round. RJ

Wearing Alder MacGregor's "Fool" costume, Sergeant Howie walks with Lord Summerisle and Oak as they enter the stone circle. The grounds of Castle Kennedy.

The Villagers reach the beach where sacrifices are to be made. The beach below St. Ninian's Cave at Physgill Glen, Wigtownshire.

This beach is three miles south of Whithorn. RJ

Lord Summerisle prepares to split open a cask of ale as a libation for the God of the Seas. The beach below St. Ninian's Cave on the Machars Peninsula.

Recognised by the background. RJ

Sergeant Howie turns to see Rowan Morrison (Geraldine Cowper) at the mouth of a nearby cave. St. Ninian's Cave overlooking the mouth of the Solway Firth.

St. Ninian's Cave above the beach. RJ

Punching and knocking Broome out of the way, the Sergeant runs towards Rowan and unties her bonds. More of a natural fissure, this is St. Ninian's Cave at Physgill Glen.

Now, but the interiors were not shot here as it's pretty small inside. RJ

As the Villagers move towards him, Sergeant Howie takes Rowan into the cave system. St. Ninian's Cave was used as an exterior location while Wikipedia tells us that interior scenes were shot at Wookey Hole caves in Somerset,

Big enough to look out of with a camera, though. RJ

Rowan climbs out of the caves followed by the Sergeant to where Lord Summerisle, Miss Rose and Willow MacGregor are waiting. This is next to Burrowhead caravan park to the south-west of Whithorn on the Machars peninsula.

There's the hole, not quite the right angle. RJ

May Morrison (Irene Sunter) holds her arms out to hug her daughter as Neil Howie realises that he's been tricked. Burrowhead in Wigtownshire.

A grimmer day, but there's the "cave exit." RJ

The innocent "Fool" is taken to the Wicker Man for sacrifice to Nuada, the sacred God of the Sun and Avellenau, beloved Goddess of the Orchards.

Villagers start to sing # Sumer is icumen in, Lhude sing cuccu, Groweþ sed and bloweþ med and springþ þe wde nu, Sing cuccu . . .

Animals screech and squeal as the flames take hold when the Wicker Man is set alight.

There were two Wicker Men used for filming: I think the smaller had its stumps stolen in November 2006. RJ

The singing continues long after Howie's recital of Psalm 23, the Lord's My Shepherd, ends . . . .

"The stumps of the smaller Wicker Man may well have been stolen, but the attached photo taken at Burrowhead in April 2022 shows that there is still evidence at the site." Hope this isn't an elaborate April Fool! With thanks to David Heathcote for sending this in. (SJ)