HIT drama Outlander and T2: Trainspotting have helped increase production spend on TV and film in Scotland to a record high of £64.9 million.
Figures released by Creative Scotland, show a £16.7m increase from 2015 when £52.7m was spent producing TV programmes and films in Scotland.
It’s a 30 per cent increase year-on-year with total spend increasing by more than 200 per cent in 2007 from £23m.
Film and TV productions shot in Scotland last year also include The Wife, Calibre, The Etruscan Smile, In Plain Sight and The Loch.
“It is extremely encouraging to see the significant and continued rise in Scotland’s production spend figures,” said Natalie Usher of Creative Scotland.
“Throughout 2016, major international productions have continued to base themselves in Scotland. Sony Starz have returned to the large-scale production base at Wardpark Studios for Outlander. TV dramas In Plain Sight and The Loch have enjoyed network success. Glasgow hosted Björn Runge’s feature film The Wife starring Glenn Close, Jonathan Pryce and Christian Slater, and Edinburgh also played a starring role in Danny Boyle’s T2: Trainspotting.
“The continued growth in production spend is testament to our world-class talent, crews, facilities and award-winning locations. It also demonstrates the impact of continued support from Scottish Government and the National Lottery through Creative Scotland’s funding alongside the UK’s Film and TV tax reliefs.”
In this week’s Programme for Government, the Scottish Government announced an additional £10m for the screen sector, bringing investment to £20m next year. A dedicated screen unit will also be established within Creative Scotland, to coordinate existing and new public sector investment more effectively.
Creative Scotland said the new figures also show the success of the Production Growth Fund, which uses funds from the Scottish Government and National Lottery to encourage production in Scotland. The fund has so far generated £17.5m, a return of £10 for every £1 awarded.
Culture Secretary Fiona Hyslop said: “These figures show Scotland’s film and TV industry is stronger than ever. This is good news for our cultural story while bringing significant benefits to the wider economy.
“Production companies are attracted here because of our stunning locations and talented people. This additional investment announced this week will help consolidate growth, enabling us to strengthen and better coordinate public sector support for the film and TV sector.”
Production Growth Funding awarded in 2016-17 included £500,000 for T2: Trainspotting; £250,000 for the feature film Churchill; £100,000 for The Etruscan Smile; £146,034 for Calibre; £303,966 for the feature film Hush; £250,000 for drama series In Plain Sight, and £200,000 for Loch Ness.
However the film industry says Scotland still lacks the studio facilities to attract more investment.
Rosie Ellison, film manager of Film Edinburgh told a meeting of Holyrood’s Culture, Tourism, Europe and External Relations Committee, that Scotland’s share of film production was dwarfed by elsewhere in the UK.
In 2015 a total of £2 billion was spent in the UK, with Scotland’s share totalling £52.7m.
She said: “We haven’t been able to get more of the £2bn that’s available out there because we haven’t got the studio infrastructure.”
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