User reviews

The last Lacy Chabert movie we really liked was Christmas in Rome, and this one didn't live up to that standard.

The main draw of this movie was the Scottish setting. Once the main group of characters arrive, the mother tells her son and daughter she was in line to be the Duchess, but didn't want the lifestyle control that went with the title and sticking with her family.

The "sort of" outrage shown by the son and daughter didn't ring true for us. It seems manufactured to put some tension in the story, but it was pretty much the only tension in the story.

From there on, we saw charming scenes of local life and traditions, but they didn't interest us enough to wish to watch this again, and the movie trundled on to its entirely predictable ending.

Wow, Scotland in the winter looks beautiful. So green. Like you could jump right in the ocean or walk around in a t-shirt without trouble. Wait, it was not summer? This was supposed to be a Christmas movie? Huh. OK then. On to the story, our siblings find out their mother was a secret duchess and they now are in control of a Scottish castle, cuz that's a thing. If you've seen Party of Five, you know Lacy Chabert and Scott Wolf have had parent issues before, but this didn't seem so much as a problem. They were just annoying about it. Lacy falls for the groundskeeper, dances with someone she should actually be dating (Will Kemp) and leaves the castle only to return and stay. The last 10 minutes of the movie happened so fast that you really need to look up from your phone to catch all the flip flopping. I'm giving this one seven stars for the acting (mostly the tour guide and bar keep) and the setting. I read that the castle they used was actually in Ireland - which is not cool Hallmark. Always dissing the Scots.

The reunion of the Party of Five stars Lacey Chabert and Scott Wolf will attract the attention of many. They play estranged brother and sister Lindsay and Brad. They each went separate ways at adulthood and that left resentment. That resentment gets lip service for a while but the two quickly act far friendlier toward each other than the backstory would imply. But the big story in the plot is that their mom, also estranged from them, is heir of a duke.

Lindsay meets Mac, the estate manager, and they begin developing a romance, but that plot thread is secondary to the family reconciliation and their dealing with issues related to their inheritance.

The acting is mostly OK, but somehow I didn't feel it much from Scott Wolf. I think I was put off by his over enthusiasm which could have been overacting. The dialogue was also OK with some funny moments. We saw a bit of Scottish scenery and traditions.

There were no great highs or lows or surprises. The tension was all relational and didn't involve any threats to body or livelihood.

One mystery to me was Mac's brother-in-law. The actor looked familiar but I couldn't place him.

Every aspect of this movie was enjoyable and almost none of the worn-out Hallmark plot elements were built in. (Which means that when playing the Hallmark drinking game I would not have much opportunity to take a drink). Loved the cameo and fun interactions with Will Kemp. Fresh script. Great location shots (theoretically in Scotland but some was shot in Ireland). Realistic script and character interactions. It seems that, for some reason, when Hallmark has movies produced outside of the U. S. or Canada that they are just fresher and more enjoyable. So, sit back, enjoy and just have a glass of whiskey brand but don't use the Hallmark Drinking Game as your prompts to enjoy that fine beverage.

IN A NUTSHELL: I've had the great pleasure of going to Scotland a couple of times and adore the beautiful country, culture, and people. I love the musical Scottish accent, which we get to hear plenty of in the film.

The story is about estranged siblings who travel to Scotland at their mother's request where she reveals a huge family secret.

The film was directed by Dustin Rikert. Writing credits go to Andrea Canning and Audrey Shulman.

THINGS I LIKED: We get to spend time in beautiful Scotland and, especially, in a gorgeous Scottish castle called Duns Castle in real life. Some of the shots were actually filmed in Ireland though, also a lovely country.

The cast includes Lacey Chabert, Scott Wolf, James Robinson, Kellie Blaise, Josephine, and more.

Lacey Chabert and Scott Wolf also played siblings on the TV series Party of Five from 1994 to 2000. Did you ever see that? I never did.

If you love Hallmark movies, you'll probably remember that Lacey Chabert and Will Kemp played the romantic leads in several of the most recent Hallmark films. A cute moment is when Lacey's character meets Will's character and mentions that he looks familiar. Later when they dance, Lacey explains that she only knows how to waltz and tango, which is what their characters did in previous movies. True Hallmark fans should get a kick out of that.

We only get a few, quick glances at some famous Scottish food such as black pudding, Haggis, smoked Arbroath, porridge, and Scottish whiskey. We also get to see cute Shetland ponies, kilts, and a big bonfire to celebrate the winter solstice.

Two of the characters drink what they call a "Dirty Reindeer", which is crushed cookies dropped into hot cocoa. Would you drink that? Sounds yummy to me.

Lovely costume design by Keith Nielsen and pretty set decoration by Katya Greene.

The decision the siblings had to make seemed super easy to me. What would YOU have done?

THINGS I DIDN'T LIKE: It's annoying how unimpressed the adult kids are that they're in a gorgeous Scottish castle.

Some of the men look like they have blush on their cheeks. Did they?

It always drives me nuts when women supposedly wake up in the morning but have a full face of makeup on.

Movies like this are super cliche and visually manipulative. For example, everyone wears green because that seems so Scottish.

The requisite cheesiness is included for a Hallmark movie.

There's no talk of Jesus' birth or Santa Claus; it's just a movie set around the holidays.

TIPS FOR PARENTS: Kids will be bored.

Lots of alcohol.

Adult siblings fight.

No profanity. Thank you, Hallmark!

I have nothing but nice things to say about this Hallmark holiday film. I am loving these excursions into foreign locales and the sharing of other culture's holiday traditions...and this is no exception. In this film we travel to Scotland for a Christmas with siblings Brad and Lindsay.

They arrive at the fictional Glenncraig, or the lovely and very real Duns Castle which was used in the filming, at their mother's invitation. What they don't know is their mother was meant to be the Duchess there as first born and Lady Josephine. A role that she ran away from to go to America where she became Brad and Lindsay's mother. Her brother, Danny, became the Duke in her absence. Unfortunately, Duke Daniel has recently passed away, leaving the castle and estate to his absent sister and potentially Brad and Lindsay.

It was fun seeing some Scottish Christmas traditions with the bonfire to celebrate the Christmas solstice, the Shetland ponies, the banquet and ball...The dancing, the kilts, the Scotch.

"An enchanting time and place, the romance, the history, the moors, Glenncraig is straight out of a fairytale at Christmas time."-Mac

This was a story about family and home. I thought it was a beautiful touch to use Michael Buble's song "Home" at a key point towards the end. It was fun to see the reunion of two Party of Five members, reunited as siblings again. The real revelation however is the Scottish actor James Robinson, who played the castle estate manager Mac Bell. Perfect for the role of a romantic lead, he is handsome and his Scottish burr really added a note of authenticity to the film (along with the proper Scottish pronunciations!). Kellie Blaise was also a nice addition to the cast as Sarah Morgan, Brad's wife. What lovely hair she has. Gerry O'Brien, was perfect as the voice of reason Graeme Stewart. The surprise appearance by Will Kemp for a dance with Lacy Chabert, was fun especially in light of their co-starring in Hallmark's Dancing Detective series.

This is a film I would recommend to anyone who likes to armchair travel and who is a fan of Christmas and family. (Also I might recommend this to Party of Five fans who might get a kick out of the Scott Wolf-Lacey Chabert reunion.)

7.1/10

Hallmark is clearly getting better. The few 2023 Hallmark films I've watched this year have really impressed me. They don't feel as cheesy as previous years. The acting is getting better and while the stories are basically the same. It's the whole European theme that's doing it for me.

"Merry Scottish Christmas" takes place clearly in Scotland. It's also nice, and appreciated, that they have actors that are actually Scottish. Makes everything feel more real.

Again, it has a good story. It's not an in your face romance. There's a heartier human aspect to the film. It's not all about falling for the local boy, or lad in this case.

This film is more personal as the main aspect is a brother and sister reconnecting over life changing aspects. There's good chemistry between Lacey Chabert and Scott Wolf, the sister and brother respectively. There's also good chemistry with the love interest James Robinson as it's more subdued and develops overtime. There's a good casting overall.

Overall, I don't know what the selling point is, but for me it's Scotland. It's on my bucket list to visit someday. The chemistry is good and so is the story. It's not cheesy, and if you've seen my previous reviews you know I'll let that be known. Not the best Hallmark film, but it's definitely worth checking out this holiday season.

That's all for now. Thank you for taking the time to read my review. Until next time.... Enjoy the show!

The storyline was fun and the setting gorgeous and who doesn't love Lacy Chabert but being of Scottish descent and a Highland Dancer I wanted to love this story yet found myself throwing my ghillies at the TV. The cartoonish character of Hamish, horrible bagpiping and the abysmal representation of Scottish culture, especially the Highland dancing, was extremely off-putting. There are thousands of talented Highland dancers all over the world, videos on YouTube and images of proper costumes so you would have thought a giant like HM would have gotten it right...but they didn't. It's fine that the main characters weren't great but the "dancers" should have been and the contest should have used an actual Highland dance. What the heck is a "slip step"? A decent piper would have been nice too. This could have been a beautiful showcase of a beautiful culture but HM chose instead to make a mockery of it. There's no excuse for that.

This Christmas I needed some feel good movies as i became a widow earlier this spring. This is my first holiday season without my husband of 51 years. He was of Scots Irish ancestry. We loved traveling through Scotland. He was always proud of being in the Craig clan. Even though I knew the ending at the beginning, I very much enjoyed watching this. It has wonderful music and dancing in the Scottish cultural traditon, with lovely scenery and even a Scotch whisky judging. It is also a movie about family and finding again the joy these two siblings had as children. I wish the movie had developed the wife of the brother a bit more and their relationship. All in all, very satisfying movie for the season.

"A Merry Scottish Christmas" (2023) certainly delivers on its promise of a festive journey, but it's a sleigh ride that's more steady than stunning. The plot, revolving around Lindsay and Brad's trip to Scotland to reunite with their mother Jo, is a familiar template for holiday family reunions. While the Scottish backdrop adds a charming twist, the movie often feels like a scenic postcard that's missing a heartfelt message. The sibling dynamic is adequately explored, and there are moments where their estrangement and eventual bonding tug at the heartstrings, but these scenes are often overshadowed by predictable plot points and clichéd Christmas cheer.

The film's saving grace, however, lies in its visuals and soundtrack. Scotland's picturesque landscapes are a treat, and the filmmakers do a commendable job in capturing the country's rugged beauty and cozy, festive atmosphere. The soundtrack, filled with a mix of traditional Scottish tunes and classic Christmas carols, creates a delightful ambience that complements the scenic beauty on screen. Yet, these elements feel like festive wrapping on an otherwise ordinary gift; they enhance the experience but can't quite make up for the story's lack of originality and depth.

In conclusion, "A Merry Scottish Christmas" is akin to a warm, albeit slightly itchy, Christmas sweater. It's comfortable, familiar, and has a certain charm, but it's not something you'd rave about to friends. The film does a fair job of spreading holiday cheer and showcasing Scotland's beauty, but it ultimately falls short of being a memorable addition to the holiday movie genre. It's a decent pick for a cozy, low-expectation evening, but don't expect it to become a Christmas classic.

Just as well, for the 90's Party of Five addict in me, that Scott Wolf and Lacey Chabert played siblings - even if they are estranged at the start of the film. Couldn't have handled them playing a couple.

Speaking of PO5, the bar named Salinger's, owned by a guy called Charlie? Love that nod to the show that made Wolf and Chabert famous.

A Merry Scottish Christmas is much better than the last Hallmark movie where Chabert went to a castle (2021's forgettable 'Christmas at Castle Hart').

It is a Hallmark movie that doesn't feel like one. Aside from the unique setting, there is real family drama here, serious stuff that Hallmark movies usually don't touch with a ten-foot pole. (Well, the old version of Hallmark, anyway. The Crown network seems to be going to places it never did before with storylines, casts and romantic pairings. If that's them going woke, then I'm fine with it...)

Beautiful establishing shots, good acting all around, some very un Hallmark-like storylines (refreshingly so), plenty of Scottish flavour (music, language and Christmas traditions) and, for a change, a romance that wasn't the main focus of the film.

Oh, and a cool cameo from Chabert's romantic interest in the brilliant 2020 Hallmark classic 'The Christmas Waltz' on the same weekend as a sequel to that film airs on a rival network.

First of all, I love any movie with Lacey in it! This was a nice twist of Christmas in Scotland, and the double family drama to boot.

Trying to mend a relationship with your brother, and helping him mend his marriage is enough drama for any family. But finding out that you're royalty atop of all of that, and that you never got to meet family members that have since passed on, well, that's a lot for anyone to handle all at one time. Then, toss in being asked to decide whether you want to go back to your regular life or accept your royal title! Talk about a life changing experience, right?

But I do have to ask a question that has me puzzled. Did Will Kemp make a surprise momentary appearance during that Scottish gig contest? Even Lacy's character questioned if she knew him from somewhere. So if it wasn't him, Will Kemp has a double out there!!

A Merry Scottish Christmas was a lovely story and one this writer will be watching a second time. Merry Christmas to all!

Absolutely fantastic, I loved everything about this movie, totally feel good and heartfelt. Great to see the party of five siblings back together, and all the Easter eggs are great fun for anyone who watched the series. The best part is the setting, the castle is amazing and the Scottish flare stole the show, really hope they make a sequel, as I feel Lacey's character was only starting to date our Scottish hunk? A merry Scottish wedding maybe?? The star of the show for me was the highland hunk Hamish, he brought so much fun and character to the movie, which was needed, and really brought the Scottish feeling to life, much needed laughter and lightness, maybe Hamish's Scottish Christmas wedding?

This is a must watch for any hallmark fans.

There were too many things that distracted in this one. First, why did they choose Duke/Duchess as the title? It would have been far more believable if it had been Earl or a lesser title. And while it was nice to see Lacey Chabert and Scott Wolf together again, their age difference was glaring. I kept thinking, sure they played siblings in Party of Five, but it is just weird here. There are lines that reference "when we were teenagers," implying they're supposed to be, three or four years apart, maybe five? I looked up both of them, and there is a 14 year age difference in real life, Scott Wolf is in his mid-fifties. Along with that, the woman playing their mom didn't seem old enough. And there is always an expected amount of cheesiness in Hallmark movies, but it felt so forced how cheerful and friendly all the Scottish people were. It just seemed so over the top. On that note, I couldn't stand Hamish (I think that was the character's name), man was he annoying, so over-acted. On a positive note, the castle was beautiful, and shots of the scenery were lovely.

7.7 stars.

Almost every film in the the fall of 2023 has been a notch above the standards we have been exposed to since 2018. After viewing over 500 Hallmark films ranging mainly from 2005 through 2022 in the past year, I can confidently say my hunches can be considered facts and my opinions are ironclad (that's how I feel at least). First of all, I noticed the movies this fall and winter have really appealed to my tastes and probably most other viewers' tastes as well. The direction and writing and performances all step in line. Take the best of the best films since 2018, it seems maybe 1 in 3 was decent, but this year the odds of a good one are doubled and several far exceeded my expectations. I am beside myself with one after another after another that does not disappoint. 'A Merry Scottish Christmas' could easily bring us a sequel, solely because of Scott Wolf. He is cool and silly and his screen presence has not faded in 30 years. I detected an increase in quality and production values of most Hallmark films sometime around early October 2023, and this film is no different, although it's not at the tippy top of my ratings (it's missing a bit of pure entertainment), it's still quite fascinating and varies from the usual formula. The scenery is good, but the people are original, peculiar, and personable. So very much a Fall 2023-esque feeling that reverberates with this film and I like it. Wolf is a welcome change, and Chabert is her usual self, but enhanced by Wolf and the Scots.

This is gonna be hard to say without coming across as hypocritical but those who are hating on this movie thinking its just anothe typical holiday movie but to be brutally honest its actually not sure there was parts that made me cringe like hell but its actually a pretty awesome love story that young william wallace gets to kiss the hottest member of the plastics and not just that the story is kinda plain ish but i wouldnt say its the worst thing ive ever seen because its actually somewhat good and kinda strange in some places and as an american i feel like whenever american actors do something set in the uk with a british director and british actors and stuff it feels really strange but i honestly love the idea of blending british and american actors together and lacey chabert looks like shes having a blast with James Robinson (young william wallace) and its just great chemistry.

I didn't get any sense of Scotland from this at all. The casting was off-how does the mom look younger than her own son? It's bizarre. Why didn't they put more effort into aging her up and making Brad look younger? The forced romance between Lindsey and Mac felt completely unnatural and didn't make any sense. And Lindsey as a doctor? I didn't buy it. As a physician myself, I know we carry a certain presence, a unique personality that sets us apart. It's not about being stuck-up, just... different.

And let's talk about the setting-this was supposed to be Scotland in winter? No way. The air in a real Scottish winter is so cold and biting, you can barely breathe. The actors didn't seem to be bundled up enough; their outfits felt more like winter in France, not the freezing north of England. Scotland in winter? It's brutal, and this just didn't capture that.

My first problem is with the brothers wife. They're not doing well. They have been trouble in their marriage, but as soon as there's a castle, she wants to be a Duchess. Little selfish. She's not even part of the family, and she's trying to take over the castle.

Second problem? The younger sister of Duke is not a Duchess. They color her lady whatever her name is. And being a doctor, they have more respect all around, I would stick with Dr. Morgan.

My main question is this why doesn't the mother just become Duchess, so that nobody has to worry about it. She doesn't have to actually be there. The estate runs just perfectly fine with the max dude running it.

There were just too many issues in this one for me. Maybe I'll just lay off the Hallmark movies.