The beautiful Scottish city that Zendaya said she 'really loved'
Zendaya was in Scotland with fiancé Tom Holland last month while filming Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey.
Hollywood star Zendaya has spoken warmly of her recent visit to Scotland. The 28-year-old actress was here during filming for Christopher Nolan’s upcoming historical drama The Odyssey.
And Zendaya, who was joined in Scotland last month by her fiancé Tom Holland, described one of the locations they visited as a "beautiful city".
She and Tom took time outwith their busy filming schedules to take in the sights of Inverness, which the superstar said she "really loved".
Speaking to the Sunday Mail earlier this year, Zendaya said: "I really loved my time in Inverness. It was a beautiful city.
“Obviously, we were there for work, but in between filming, we had a chance for a bit of downtime. The locals were so friendly and actually allowed us to do normal things.”
Nolan’s latest project, set for release next year, follows the journey of the ancient Greek king of Ithaca as he returns home after the Trojan War.
The production has drawn a star-studded cast, including Matt Damon and Anne Hathaway, with scenes filmed across northern Scotland. Among the striking locations chosen were Findlater Castle and the sands at Culbin, as well as areas around Inverness.
During their stay, Zendaya and Holland were spotted exploring the Highland capital, including a stop at Miele’s Gelateria, where the actress posed for a selfie with staff after buying an ice cream on a warm evening.
Despite being born in California, Zendaya has family connections to Scotland through her mother’s side. She has also hinted that she would welcome the chance to take on a role rooted in Scottish culture, saying it would be “so special” to play a Scottish character in the future.
Often called the Capital of the Highlands, Inverness has become an increasingly popular destination for visitors, combining the atmosphere of a traditional market town with a rapidly growing modern economy.
With a population of around 55,000, the city has expanded in recent years thanks in part to its airport and its gateway location in the Highlands. Tourism remains a key industry, drawing travellers to the city’s historic sites and the surrounding landscape.
Visitors to Inverness can enjoy a wealth of attractions ranging from ancient castles and Highland clan history to the Caledonian Canal and prehistoric burial cairns.
A short journey from the city brings travellers to Loch Ness, one of the most famous stretches of water in the world.
Stretching 23 miles and deeper than the North Sea, the loch is said to contain more water than all the lakes of England and Wales combined. Boat trips remain a favourite way to explore the loch and, for some, to hunt for its mythical Nessie.
Overlooking the loch are the dramatic ruins of Urquhart Castle, which are among the largest in Scotland and one of the country’s most visited sites.
Scottish getaways
Located near the village of Drumnadrochit, the castle sits close to the newly refurbished Loch Ness Centre, which offers an immersive journey through the history and mystery of the area.
Also nearby is Cawdor Castle, celebrated for its extensive gardens, maze and summer theatre productions, while further north stands Dunrobin Castle, one of Britain’s oldest continuously inhabited houses, dating back to the early 1300s.
With falconry displays, a museum and sweeping formal gardens, it remains a highlight for visitors to the region.