The Bizarre Trail of The Wickerman ...

Since its release in 1973, The Wicker Man has become a “cult classic” with fans worldwide. It has spawned myriad books, websites, fanzines and at least one festival.

But what if you want to really experience the atmosphere that pervades the film? Let us introduce you to the real Wicker Man. This website is a little different from all the other media concerning the film – here you get a very local flavour. This is a little bit like a whisky trail, just as intoxicating and twice as scary.

First of all, for the uninitiated, a brief synopsis of the film and its stars …

Written by Anthony Shaffer who also wrote the screenplays for Alfred Hitchcock’s Frenzy (1972) and Death on the Nile (1978), and directed by Robin Hardy, the film has been called “the Citizen Kane of British horror”. Filmed almost exclusively in South West Scotland, many of the extras were local people.

Sergeant Howie (Edward Woodward) a gung-ho policeman from the mainland travels to an island off the West coast of Scotland to investigate the disappearance of a young girl. On arrival on the island, the upstanding, puritanical Howie discovers, much to his annoyance, that the local population are doing a good imitation of the last days or Rome: drinking, singing, having orgies, fornicating in cemeteries and, he has a suspicion, sacrificing virgins. In other words, pagan worship and barbarism, right on his own doorstep.

Highlights of these festivities include (but are not limited to): a naked Willow MacGregor (Britt Ekland) teasing the sensually-challenged police officer with a sexy au natural dance routine; nymphets worshipping one of their dreaded gods, and frolicking naked by a stone circle; and of course, the final apocalyptic scene, when we finally meet The Wicker Man himself.

Christopher Lee is Lord Summerisle, the owner of the island and antithesis of Sergeant Howie. The infamous Lee brings his own horror legacy to the film of course; Lord Summerisle is the one who is really in charge of this diabolical game and he already knows the final move. The Sun God must be appeased …!

Although The Wicker Man supposedly takes place on an island off the West Highlands of Scotland, much of the filming actually took place in mainland South West Scotland. So our tour will wend its way through the nooks and crannies and stunning locations of Dumfries and Galloway.

It takes in not only highlights from the film itself but also including any new festivals or events upcoming in the area. These have been spawned by what has metamorphosed from a film into the cult of The Wicker Man.

Continue to Day One >>

SWSSC > The Wickerman Trail [day one | day two | further information]