Portknockie and Cullen provide backdrop for BBC's The Traitors as finalists Harry, Mollie, Jaz, Andrew and Evie take on last challenge in Moray
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VIEWERS of BBC's The Traitors may have spotted some familiar landscapes during last Friday's final, as the hit show's five contestants took on their final challenge at Portknockie.
The episode, which was filmed last September, showed footage of Bow Fiddle Rock and Cullen Bay as the team tackled some sea based tasks to add another £20,000 to their prize pot.
The popular reality TV show is in its second year and saw 22 contestants move into a highland castle to complete a series of challenges and missions together as a team to win money. Amongst the loyal contestants are the traitors, who must deceive the other contestants for a chance to take all of the prize money.
The final challenge saw the contestants arrive via helicopter from the traitor's castle in Easter Ross, where they were welcomed to "beautiful Portknockie" by host Claudia Winkleman.
The five finalists (Harry, Mollie, Jaz, Andrew and Evie) then had to make their way to a traitors ship off the coast, with detours along the way through rockpools and caves, along with some abseiling. The episode showed lots of scenic views of the area, with high up drone footage and dolphins in the sea.
David McCubbin from Discover Cullen expressed excitement about the positive impact the finale could have on the local community, with the episode reaching around 6.9 million viewers.
He said: "From a tourism perspective for the area as a whole, especially for Portknockie and Cullen, it's a really positive thing. Money can't buy that kind of publicity.
"Bow fiddle rock particularly is such an awe-inspiring landmark but it's a bit hidden away so you kinda need to know about it. So I think the fact that the location managers of the traitors have chosen to use that as a backdrop is amazing and the fact that Claudia named Portknockie is wonderful too, because people actually know where it is."
The community has already witnessed an immediate impact, with locals and visitors discussing the show and exploring the filming locations and David is hopeful that the exposure on The Traitors will attract more tourists. He added: "We've had emails and social media comments about it, and lots of people asking where it is and how they can visit it.
"I believe the US Traitors has filmed at Portknockie as well, so I think during the course of this year, that attention will keep coming, and hopefully more people will come to the area."
