Scottish Borders map of film locations unveiled

TWENTY of the most memorable locations in the Scottish Borders captured on the silver screen have been identified in a new “movie map” designed to promote the region’s growing status as a film-making hub.

Dame Judi Dench as Queen Victoria and Billy Connolly as her faithful gillie John Brown in the film Mrs Brown, which was partly filmed in Duns Castle. Picture: Contributed

The maps, made by Film Edinburgh in partnership with Scottish Borders Council and VisitScotland, will be distributed to tourist offices, attractions and hotels in the region and the north of England in a bid to attract tourism.

Actors such as Gillian Anderson, David Tennant and Helena Bonham Carter have starred in films that feature the region’s rural scenery and historic landmarks.

Innerleithen, one of the locations included in the map, was the backdrop for Hallam Foe, starring Jamie Bell, while the Billy Connolly and Dame Judi Dench-starring Mrs Brown was partially filmed at Duns Castle.

A section of the Scottish Borders film map

Floors Castle, as seen in Greystoke – The Legend of Tarzan and Manderston House, a filming location for The House of Mirth, are also among the 20 filming locations marked on the map.

• Download the Scottish Borders film map

Rosie Ellison, film manager for Film Edinburgh, said: “The variety of productions featured on the map reflects the versatility and quality the Scottish Borders has to offer as a film location. With plans for a film studio in the southeast of Scotland currently under consideration, everything we can do to raise awareness of productions made in the region and promote a film friendly environment to attract new projects is only a good thing.

“The Scottish Borders is the latest region to have a movie map created by Film Edinburgh, following our movie maps of Edinburgh and East Lothian produced last year. As well as engaging visitors, feedback from locals is that they too find the maps really informative, helping them learn about their favourite movie locations and in turn, sharing that knowledge with visiting tourists.”

Councillor Stuart Bell, Scottish Borders Council’s executive member for economic development, said: “It is not surprising given the variety and beauty of the area’s setting and scenery that the Scottish Borders is an ideal film location. We are proud to have hosted a rich and diverse number of productions and look forward to welcoming more in the future.”