Blockbuster productions filming in Tayside and Fife have delivered a boost of £5 million for the local economy.
Leading names from the big and small screen, including Outlander and Netflix’s The Outlaw King, have helped drive up tourism by inspiring large numbers of fans to visit both film locations and the historic places depicted.
Other highlights have ranged from spy feature Mr Jones to dramas Succession and Traces, commercial production for Ford and Porsche and prestigious fashion labels and brands such as Harper’s Bazaar, Browns, Jill Sander and Vogue.
The region also benefits when broadcast events choose locations like the Biggest Weekend at Scone Palace, the Open at Carnoustie and the Solheim Cup at Gleneagles, with BBC Radio 1’s Big Weekend set to follow in Dundee later this year.
Regional screen office FifeScreen+TayScreen’s latest annual review found production benefited Courier Country to the tune of £5 million during 2018/19 – and predicts this year’s figures could be even better.
Caroline Warburton, regional leadership director for VisitScotland welcomed the boost but stressed the the impact of film and TV choosing to set up locally goes far beyond production spend.
She said: “With our research finding that one in five visitors are inspired to plan a trip to Scotland after seeing it on-screen, the opportunities for the tourism industry in the region are immense.
“The success of major TV productions like HBO’s Succession will no doubt attract further attention to the area, while films such as Mary Queen of Scots and Outlaw King draw people to the real historical sites and links across the region.
“The benefits are shown in the effect of Outlander on Scottish tourism, with our own insights finding that not only have those filming locations seen an average rise in visitor numbers of 40% but there is a knock-on benefit to attractions and businesses nearby.”
According to FifeScreen+Tayscreen’s report, Fife and Perthshire have been favourites for a range of productions from drama to factual, and V&A Dundee has helped encourage firms to use other City of Discovery locations.
It details how production in the area also means jobs and business opportunities from crew members to accommodation, catering and leisure activities.
Mark Flynn, depute convener of city development at Dundee City Council, believes the success in attracting film crews is down persistence and a growing reputation for the warm and highly professional welcome productions encounter.
He said: “Screen production has such a great impact on raising the profile of the area so it’s brilliant to see the region’s popularity for all kinds of media production including film and TV continuing to grow.
“We are all delighted that Golden Globes were awarded to HBO’s Succession with Series 2 featuring locations in Dundee and Perthshire and, of course, starring Dundee’s own Brian Cox.
“With all the work on the Tay Cities Tourism Strategy, it’s absolutely putting the spotlight on the region.”
Perth and Kinross Council believe the production spend in the area for 2018/19 was approximately £1.15 million, with an economic impact of £2.3 million.
A spokesperson said: “As well as highlighting the beautiful natural environment of the area on a global stage, TV/film and other productions make an important contribution to our local economy in a range of ways from accommodation and hospitality to many other business sectors.”
