Richard Hannay is a Canadian visitor to 1930's London. After a disturbance at a music hall, he meets Annabella Smith who is on the run from foreign agents. He takes her back to his apartment, but they are followed and later that night Annabella is murdered. Hannay goes on the run to break the spy ring and thus prove his innocence.
Film Location Details
Durisdeer - The 39 Steps
The tiny village of Durisdeer has a huge historical past, lying on the Roman route through the Lowther Hills. The unique church in the heart of the village houses the mausoleum of the Dukes of Queensberry with its marble memorial.
Forest of Ae - The 39 Steps
Richard Hannay goes on the run through parts of Ae Forest.
Thornhill - The 39 Steps
Richard Hannay and David Hamilton swap clothes at the ruined Morton Castle, near Thornhill.
Drumlanrig - The 39 Steps
Richard Hannay was filmed on the run close to the magnificent Drumlanrig Castle, which houses an internationally renowned art collection. Home to the Scottish Cycle Museum, mountain biking and walking in the grounds.
John Buchan’s classic spy thriller, written in 1915, was originally set in this region, though Alfred Hitchcock’s version, made in 1935, relocated the story to the Scottish Highlands.
Dumfries-born actor John Laurie starred in this version as a jealous crofter who bullies his wife. The 1978 version starred Robert Powell as Richard Hannay, an innocent man caught up in a conspiracy who has to go on the run to evade being arrested for murder.
Locations used in the region include Ae Forest, Mitchellslacks, Morton Castle, Buccluech Estates, the Dalveen Pass and Durisdeer Village.
Lots of locals got involved: local piper Ian Clowe played his bagpipes in two scenes, local film critic Bill Cunningham had the job of co-ordinating film extras, and Billy Jardine from the Dumfries Guild of Players played the tramp whose coat Hannay steals when he’s on the run, and had a line specially written for him.
