David Farnor | On 25, Jan 2021

To many people January means dark evenings, renewed efforts to start exercising or curling up with a crime drama box set. But 25th January is a night for celebration, as Scottish poet Robert Burns is honoured with suppers of haggis, neeps and tatties with a side order of whiskey. With the coronavirus lockdown currently in full swing across all parts of the UK, Burns Night this year is a particularly timely opportunity to sit down and enjoy some of Scotland’s best cinematic offerings, from Scottish stars and directors to films that couldn’t take place anywhere else other than the Highlands.

For Burns Night, we round up 14 Scottish films from subscription streaming services to put on your watchlist, plus where you can currently catch them:

Outlaw King

Violent, brutal and thrilling, Netflix’s Robert the Bruce biopic is a historical epic with heft – and a cracking lead turn from Chris Pine. Read our review

Available on: Netflix UK

Get Duked!

Writer-director Ninian Doff makes an assured debut with this hilarious horror comedy about three teenagers on an orienteering trip across the Scottish Highlands, only to be shot at by toffs wearing masks. Read our review

Available on: Amazon Prime

Under the Skin

Scarlett Johansson is iconic in Jonathan Glazer’s atmospheric, unsettling, beautifully scored horror about an alien driving around Glasgow and picking up unsuspecting men. Read our review

Available on: All 4 (until 1st February 2021) / BritBox UK

Dog Soldiers

On manoeuvres in the Scottish Highlands, soldiers Cooper (Kevin McKidd) and Wells (Sean Pertwee) find themselves stuck in a werewolf siege in Neil Marshall’s brilliantly entertaining horror.

Available on: All 4 (until 31st January 2021) / BritBox UK

Wild Rose

Jessie Buckley’s star is born in this irresistibly feel-good country music hit about a Glaswegian coming to terms with her life and responsibilities. Read our review

Available on: Netflix UK

Calibre

This nerve-shredding thriller, about two friends – Vaughn (Jack Lowden) and Marcus (Martin McCann) – on a weekend hunting trip in the Scottish Highlands, is a terrific calling card for writer-director Matt Palmer. Read our review

Available on: Netflix UK

Sweet Sixteen

Martin Compton stars in Ken Loach’s modern classic, which follows teenager Liam’s attempts to raise money to buy a home, after his mother gets out of prison.

Available on: All 4 (until 15th February 2021)

That Sinking Feeling

Before Gregory’s Girl came Bill Forsyth’s caper about a group of unemployed teens who plan to steal some stainless steel sinks. As you do.

Available on: BFI Player

Shell

Chloe Pirrie delivers a star-making performance in Scott Graham’s understated coming-of-age drama, shot through with a heartbreaking sense of tangible isolation. Read our review

Available on: BFI Player / Amazon Prime

Morvern Callar

Scottish supermarket shelf-filler Morvern Callar (Samantha Morton) uses her boyfriend’s inheritance after his suicide to escape from her boring life in Lynne Ramsay’s emotionally intense road movie.

Available on: BBC iPlayer until June 2021

Ratcatcher

12-year-old James Gillespie lives on a Glasgow housing estate during the 1973 refuse collectors’ strike. After James’ friend falls into a canal and drowns, James becomes increasingly withdrawn. As bags of rubbish pile up and rats move in, James starts to spend time with Kenny and Margaret Anne…

Available on: MUBI UK

Trainspotting

The style, impact and legacy of Danny Boyle’s definitive 90s drama remain undiminished. Read our review

Available on: All 4 (until 27th January 2021) / BritBox UK

Shallow Grave

Speaking of Danny Boyle, don’t miss the chance to go back to his darkly comic thriller about three friends who think they’ve found the ideal flatmate, until events take an unexpectedly gory and macabre turn. Starring an ensemble of breakout talent, including Christopher Eccleston, Ewan McGregor and Kerry Fox.

Available on: BritBox UK

My Name Is Joe

Peter Mullan delivers a powerful performance in Ken Loach’s romantic drama about a recovering alcoholic who falls for a health worker.

Available on: BritBox UK

Add to Watchlist