Scotland makes £125k a day from film-makers

Film and TV producers spent a record £45.2 million shooting on location in Scotland last year, the culture secretary announced.

Outlander is just production that has been shot in Scotland. Picture: AP

Fiona Hyslop said the total, up by almost £12 million on 2013, revealed a “growing appetite” for filming in Scotland.

Arts body Creative Scotland has supported a number of high-profile movie and TV projects, including the upcoming adaptation of the classic novel Sunset Song, starring Peter Mullan and model-turned-actress Agyness Deyn, The Legend of Barney Thomson and Sunshine on Leith, as well as the popular TV series Outlander.

Ms Hyslop announced the record production spend ahead of a visit to the set of Bannan, a Gaelic drama series commission by BBC Alba which is currently filming on Skye.

Sunshine on Leith. The cash has grown by almost £12m. Picture: Toby Williams

She said: “This rise in production spend is a strong indication that film producers have a growing appetite to base their productions in Scotland.

“With our stunning landscapes, rich culture and heritage and skilled and talented crew, the £45m production spend total for 2014 demonstrates that producers around the world recognise that Scotland has much to offer.”

She added: “These productions generate significant income for Scotland through the use of Scottish talent, crews, locations, transport, accommodation and through the impact they have on tourism.

The Scottish Government and our agencies are firmly committed to growing the economic impact of our screen sector and continuing to promote Scotland as a premier and competitive location to produce great films and TV shows – as underlined by the £162m public funding awarded to the sector since 2007-8, during a period of tough budgets.

“But we recognise we need to do more. That is why this week I announced a new £1.75m production growth fund to provide an additional incentive for major international productions to come to Scotland, as well as increasing funding available for Scottish productions.

“This builds on the £2m Tax Credit Advance Facility and the £1m Screen Skills Fund through which we are supporting training and skills development opportunities.”

Natalie Usher, director for screen at Creative Scotland, said: “Alongside our partners in government, we are firmly committed to supporting screen sector growth and promoting Scotland as a film-friendly nation with unique landscapes and competitive incentives.”

Chris Young, producer of Bannan and managing director of Young Films, said: “In the process of filming Bannan, we have managed to train a whole new home-grown team of writers, directors, producers, actors and technicians in long-running TV drama.

“I believe Bannan provides a very good model for how we can significantly expand indigenous film and television production and training.”