(Based on and used with permission from the wicker-man.com site which was written circa mid-2000s.)
They shot here on Oct 16, 1972.
See also Andy Taylor's location footage from 2000.
Stranraer is a coastal town in the south west of Scotland. The town is a major ferrying port and some brief scenes of The Wicker Man was filmed here.
The West Pier at Stranraer harbour is seen in the opening scene of the long version of the film. The wall where the police car was parked is still there, however the other side of this wall is now a car park, as opposed to in 1973 when it was part of the sea!
Howie being rowed ashore behind the scenes shot.
That appears to be the ferry the Antrim Princess in the background.
Unfortunately, the building which once was adorned with the graffiti 'Jesus Saves' is long gone. However, in the following picture taken by our friend Andy Taylor in 2000, the foundations of the unusually shaped building can just be seen on the ground. In fact, were it not for Andy and his exceptionally keen eyesight, we'd have never have found this location as its a little obscure.
The footage of the police car driving in a town at night may have been shot in Stranraer. The town council gave the filmmakers permission to film in town, including the harbour and a "public house."
The postman bicycling while reading other people's mail was shot in Stranraer as well. These houses on Broadstone Rd appear to be the same ones. The one closest is called Briarbrae and is now a B&B.
Locals remember the cast/crew eating at the George Hotel (49 George St.)
Additional shots of Howie trying to start his plane were shot in Stranraer. (Look at how far away the shore is and you see a pier in the earlier shots.)