Inverness visit for The Odyssey ship as new Christopher Nolan movie to be shot nearby
A Viking style wooden ship has appeared in Inverness ahead of filming a blockbuster movie in the local area.
The ship, the Draken Harald Hårfagre, is set to feature in Christopher Nolan’s adaptation of ancient Greek epic The Odyssey starring Matt Damon.
Pictures show the vessel, the world’s largest Viking boat, sailing under the Kessock Bridge today following a sighting at Buckie Harbour yesterday.
Featuring Damon in the lead role of Odysseus, the film’s star-studded ensemble also includes talents such as Anne Hathaway, Zendaya, Tom Holland, Robert Pattinson and Charlize Theron.
Its screenplay, written by Nolan, tells the story of a group of Greek warriors on their long and perilous journey home following the Trojan War.
Filming began during February in Morocco and has also been taking place in Greece and Sicily.
The Odyssey is slated for a July 2026 release.
Production activity related to the Holywood film has been reported both at Culbin Forest near Forres and, an hour along the coast, at Findlater Castle near Cullen.
Visit Aberdeenshire states the picturesque ruined castle and nearby car park will be closed until July 25 as a result of ongoing “private commercial activity”.
A notice at the site describes the work that will be taking place as “the construction, lighting and dressing of two film sets, followed after the shoot phase by striking them and returning the locations to as they were prior to tenancy”.
Meanwhile, the car park at Culbin Forest is due to be shut between July 3 and 16.