With the country plunged back into lockdown, many of us are left finding ways to occupy our downtime.

For many, this means a return to binge-watching anything and everything on streaming platforms.

In recent years, Ayrshire’s stunning landscape has lent itself to directors, with some local talent also producing some fine viewing.

Here are some of the best films and tv series with Ayrshire links to get stuck into during lockdown:

Outlander (2014-)

The Starz series features several Ayrshire locations across its five seasons.

Irvine Times:

The historical drama follows Claire Randall (Caitriona Balfe), an English World War II army nurse, who is transported back to 1743. There she meets Highlander Jamie Fraser (Sam Heughan) before the two end up in the middle of the 1745 Jacobite rising.

Troon’s sandy coast graces the screen at the end of season one, and Kilmarnock’s Dean Castle acts as Beaufort Castle, the seat of Clan Fraser of Lovat, in season two.

Dunure Harbour features as Silkie Island in third season, before re-appearing in the fourth. All seasons are available on Amazon Prime - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Outlander-Season-01/dp/B07M5KFMBY

Deadwater Fell (2020)

Dunlop serves as the fictional village of Kirkdarroch in this four-part mini-series directed by Kilwinning-raised Lynsey Miller, with some scenes also filmed in Irvine.

Irvine Times:

David Tennant stars as Tom Kendrick, the village doctor and a father with a seemingly-perfect family.

Tom becomes the sole survivor of a housefire which kills his wife and three kids, leaving Kirkdarroch locals looking for answers in the ashes.

Former EastEnders actress Laurie Brett also features as DC Gemma Darlington. Watch the full series on All4 - https://www.channel4.com/programmes/deadwater-fell/

The Three Kings (2020)

Amazon Prime’s documentary follows the lives and careers of three of the most influential men in this country’s football history – Sir Matt Busby, Jock Stein and Glenbuck’s Bill Shankly.

Irvine Times:

The three grew up within thirty miles of eachother and went on to dominate British football during the 1960s.

A Scotland international, Shankly played for Carlisle United and Preston North End before moving into management.

He went on to win three League Championships and one UEFA Cup with Liverpool between 1959 and 1974.

The documentary is the perfect viewing for any nostalgic football fans. Find it on Amazon Prime - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Three-Kings-Sir-Matt-Busby/dp/B08L4JVMVR

Outlaw King (2018)

Various Ayrshire locations feature in Outlaw King – a historical action-drama which follows Robert the Bruce and his Scottish army’s rebellion against the English Empire.

Irvine Times:

Chris Pine portrays the Scottish warrior in the film which also stars Irvine actor Rab Affleck as Alexander le Scrymgeour. It includes scenes filmed at castles such as Turnberry, Loch Doon, Portencross and Dundonald, as well as St John’s Tower in Ayr. 

The film also features the Battle of Loudoun Hill – Robert the Bruce’s first major victory and an important one for his cause. The film is available on Netflix - https://www.netflix.com/title/80190859

Detachment (2020)

Detachment is a six-part web-series written by Kris Scott from Tarbolton.

The 24-year-old wrote and directed the series during lockdown, with the episodes inspired by the isolation and fear the pandemic has caused.

Irvine Times:

The anthology-style series takes a look at how different characters deal with a world in crisis.

All episodes are available on Amazon Prime. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Detachment/dp/B08D6Z77TX