The Crown Filmed Here
When Netflix Came to The Farmhouse B&B
In March 2023, The Farmhouse B&B had the extraordinary experience of becoming a filming location for Netflix's The Crown, Season 6, Episode 7, “Alma Mater”.
The production team transformed several areas of our Perthshire farmhouse to represent Balmoral Cottage, for scenes involving Prince William, Prince Harry and their friends.
Our dining room became a sitting room, one of our guest bedrooms was transformed into Prince William's bedroom, and even the entrance hall and grounds were carefully dressed for filming. For a few days, our familiar farmhouse looked completely different as furniture, rugs, lighting, curtains, artwork, photographs and props were brought in to create the setting required for the production. It was a fascinating glimpse behind the scenes of how a real country house can be transformed for television.
The Crown — Season 6, Episode 7: “Alma Mater”
The Farmhouse B&B was used as a filming location for Season 6, Episode 7 of The Crown, “Alma Mater”. The episode follows Prince William during his time at St Andrews University, where he meets and develops his relationship with Catherine Middleton. It also includes scenes involving Prince William, Prince Harry and their friends at Balmoral Cottage. For the scenes filmed at The Farmhouse B&B, our rooms were transformed to represent the interior of Balmoral Cottage. Although our farmhouse is not Balmoral Cottage, it became part of the production by providing the setting used to create these scenes.
The Filming Timeline
8 March 2023 - Preparation and dressing of the farmhouse
9–10 March 2023 - Filming — approximately 1½ days
11 March 2023 - Reinstatement of the farmhouse
Filming took place at The Farmhouse B&B during March 2023. While the interiors were transformed to represent Balmoral Cottage, exterior and location shots were also filmed on the other side of our forest.
It was a memorable few days for us, and we are delighted to be able to share some of the story behind what happened here.
From Farmhouse B&B to Balmoral Cottage
The production team carefully transformed several areas of The Farmhouse B&B to represent the interior of Balmoral Cottage.
Almost everything that normally makes the rooms recognisable as our B&B was removed or covered. In its place came furniture, lighting, artwork and props supplied by the production. The transformation showed just how much a room's character can be changed through set dressing. A familiar dining room could become a completely different sitting room, while a guest bedroom could be made to look like the bedroom of one of the show's characters.
The Dining Room
Our dining room was transformed into a sitting room designed to represent Balmoral Cottage. Almost all of our furniture was removed, apart from our glass-fronted tallboy and sideboard. The room itself was painted, while the production team brought in their own furniture, including a sofa, table, rugs and lamps. Our windows normally have wooden shutters rather than curtains, so curtains were installed as part of the transformation. The fireplace was temporarily covered, while the walls were dressed with stag heads, photographs of family and friends, and paintings. Food and drink were also carefully placed around the room as props, helping to create the appearance of a genuine family home. It was quite a change from the dining room our B&B guests normally see.
Bedroom 1 — Prince William's Bedroom
One of our guest bedrooms was transformed into Prince William's bedroom, again representing the interior of Balmoral Cottage. The room was painted and the existing light fitting was changed. The production team brought in a single bed, lamp, rug and other furniture and props to create the look required for the scenes. Photographs, paintings and other personal touches were added to make the room feel lived-in and authentic. Once the dressing was complete, it was almost unrecognisable as one of our usual guest bedrooms.
The Entrance and Hall
The transformation extended beyond the main rooms. The entrance and hall were also dressed to represent the interior of Balmoral Cottage. Shoes and sports equipment were placed around the entrance, while towels and clothing were hung over the upstairs banister.
These seemingly small details were important in creating the impression of a real family home. Rather than looking like a set, the house needed to appear as though people genuinely lived there.
The Grounds and BBQ Hut
The farmhouse grounds were also used as part of the production. Our BBQ hut needed to be hidden from view, so the production team disguised it using branches and tarpaulin. The table and bench in the grounds, which now sits outside our hut "Ewe Need This" were dressed with a tartan cover for the gun-preparation scene. Unlike the interiors, the exterior of the farmhouse itself did not need to be altered or dressed for filming.
Behind the Scenes
A Busy Few Days at The Farmhouse
The transformation began on 8 March 2023, when the production team arrived to prepare and dress the property.
Furniture and other items were brought in, rooms were painted, lighting was changed and the interiors were carefully prepared for filming.
Filming then took place over approximately one and a half days, on 9 and 10 March 2023. During filming, the farmhouse was very different from the peaceful B&B our guests normally experience. The production team worked carefully and methodically, with every detail of the rooms and their contents considered as part of the scenes. Once filming was complete, the process went into reverse. Reinstatement took place on 11 March 2023, when the furniture, props, dressing and temporary alterations were removed and the farmhouse was returned to its usual appearance. It was remarkable to see just how much a familiar room could change in such a short time — and then be returned to normal just as quickly.
The Transformation
One of the most interesting parts of the experience was seeing how the production team changed the character of the farmhouse using furniture, set dressing, lighting and props. Our dining room became a sitting room representing Balmoral Cottage. A guest bedroom became Prince William's bedroom. Curtains appeared where we normally have wooden shutters, new lighting was installed, and furniture and rugs were brought in to create the required period setting. Artwork, photographs, food, drink, clothing, sports equipment and other props were then added to give the rooms a lived-in appearance. From our perspective, it was fascinating to watch the process and see our farmhouse become somewhere completely different on screen.
Filming in Perthshire
The Farmhouse B&B is situated in rural Perthshire, near Amulree and within easy reach of Dunkeld, Aberfeldy and Crieff. As well as filming inside the farmhouse, exterior and location shots were taken on the other side of our forest. The surrounding Perthshire landscape provided a natural backdrop for the production, while the farmhouse interiors provided the setting needed for the scenes representing Balmoral Cottage. For us, it was a wonderful opportunity to see a little of the film and television industry come to the Perthshire countryside.
The Farmhouse Today
Today, The Farmhouse B&B is once again our welcoming rural Perthshire home and B&B. The temporary furniture, props, artwork and production dressing have long since gone, and the rooms have returned to their usual appearance for our guests.
But having The Crown filmed here remains a very special part of the history of The Farmhouse B&B. It is not every day that your dining room becomes a television set, your guest bedroom becomes Prince William's bedroom, and your peaceful Perthshire farmhouse becomes part of a major Netflix production. We are delighted to be able to share a little of the story behind the filming and give visitors a glimpse of what happened here in March 2023.
Stay at The Farmhouse B&B
Whilst you won't find the The Crown set dressing here today, you can still experience the real farmhouse, enjoy our traditional Scottish hospitality and discover the peace and character of rural Perthshire for yourself. The Farmhouse B&B offers comfortable accommodation, a traditional Scottish breakfast and a peaceful countryside setting near Dunkeld.
