Highlands or Hollywood: How important is the film industry for our region?
With Hollywood A-lister Keira Knightley landing in Inverness to begin filming her latest project and the city’s own silver screen superstar Karen Gillan directing some of her own scenes in the Highland capital, it’s worth asking how important is the film industry for the Highlands?
Screen Highland - formerly known as the Highlands of Scotland Film Commission - was established 20 years ago in a bid to make the region one of the best and most popular places to film in the world.
It promotes locations and organisations and the opportunity for landowners, crew and firms across the region to register and potentially get involved as a filming location or supporting business.
Aligned with this is the publication of the latest direct spend figures from film productions in Highland during 2023 which surpassed the £3 million mark for the second consecutive year. This includes location fees, local crew hire, accommodation, catering, and other services required by productions whilst filming in the Highlands.
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This shows the increasing role of the industry in the region and the potential it has to drive tourism and economic development.
Screen Highland is part of Highland Council and its economy and infrastructure committee chairman Ken Gowans outlined its importance: “Not only does the film and TV industry have huge direct benefits for the local economy, it’s also a major driving force for the tourism industry.
“Industry demand to film in the Highlands is at an all-time high and we must embrace the opportunities presented but also ensure that productions are manged appropriately.
“With our outstanding scenery, pent-up demand for visits to the culturally rich Highlands and crews supported by professional expertise, the Highlands offer a huge amount to film productions and commercial marketing, which we all welcome and look forward to further economic growth in this area throughout 2024/25.
"I would encourage local crew and businesses to register with us and owners of properties or locations which could appeal to the film industry, such as those which are interesting and unusual or could even double as somewhere else in the world.”
