Bid to replicate '˜Outlander effect' launched by Scots film chiefs

A DRIVE to lure more big-budget film and TV productions to several of Scotland's most beautiful and varied areas will be launched next week.

Outlander has increased visits to Scotland by 40 per cent Picture: Sony

The campaign hopes to replicate the so-called Outlander effect, which has seen thousands of visitors descend on Scottish locations used in the hit TV show, much of which was filmed in Perthshire and Fife.

It is estimated that some 40 per cent of visitors to the UK have been inspired to visit by film or TV they have watched.

An industry event will feature insiders behind big-screen favourites such as Spectre and Mission Impossible in a bid to attract new productions to Perthshire, Tayside, and Fife.

Among the speakers will be David Taylor, the location manager responsible for transforming Glasgow into downtown Philadelphia for the Brad Pitt zombie epic World War Z.

The one-day seminar, co-ordinated by FifeScreen and TayScreen Scotland, will be held at Perth’s Station Hotel, near the city’s iconic railway station which was used as a location in the 2013 film Railway Man starring Colin Firth and Nicole Kidman.

A spokeswoman said: “Outlander filmed extensively at locations across Perthshire and Fife and visitors have been arriving in their thousands to explore and celebrate the Outlander effect.

“The event will inspire and inform businesses with practical hints and tips, from working with film crews to screen tourism opportunities and local success stories including businesses who have been proactive in capitalising on film tourism and attracting more visitors to their region.”

She added: “It’s reckoned that 40 per cent of visitors to the UK have been inspired to visit by film or TV they have watched.

Location manager Duncan Broadfoot, whose credits include Mission Impossible and James Bond film Spectre, will give his presentation via video-link.

Other speakers lined up include Jenni Steele, film and creative industries manager for VisitScotland, Julie Craik and Scott Robertson, business development manager at Blair Castle.

Time travel series Outlander is reportedly responsible for a surge in visitors to Scotland, with one of the show’s key locations, Doune Castle near Dunblane, Perthshire, welcoming record numbers of tourists.

• The Perthshire on Film event begins at 10.30am next Tuesday April 19.

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