FILM and TV producers spent a record £45.2 million shooting on location in Scotland in 2014, Culture Secretary Fiona Hyslop revealed today.
The record high total – an increase of almost £12 million compared with 2013 – demonstrates a fast growing appetite from major film and high-end TV makers to use Scotland as a backdrop for their productions.
It follows Creative Scotland’s work to support large productions to film in Scotland in recent years, including the much anticipated Sunset Song and Macbeth, The Legend of Barney Thomson, Iona, Sunshine on Leith, Under the Skin and Outlander, and current productions including Tommy’s Honour and Moon Dogs.
Ms Hyslop announced the record production spend total today ahead of a set visit to Bannan, the first Gaelic drama series to be commissioned for BBC ALBA and currently filming in Skye.
Culture Secretary Fiona Hyslop 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, iconic landscapes, rich culture and heritage and skilled and talented crew, the £45 million production spend total for 2014 demonstrates that producers around the world recognise that Scotland has much to offer.
“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.”