A FORMER military base in Stirling is to become a new film and television hub – with a new drama on the Lockerbie disaster to be the first production to use the site.
More than 4000 jobs are predicted to be created over the next 25 years as a result of the newly-announced Stirling studios venture, which is expected to provide a major boost to Scotland’s capacity to host major productions.
It is hoped the site, which has around 100,000 square feet of studio space and more than 110,000 of space for production logistics and offices will support the “rapid growth” of Scotland’s screen sector – which is valued at more than £610 million.
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Reacting to the news on Twitter/X, Scotland’s Culture Secretary Angus Robertson said: “Thousands of jobs are set to be created at Stirling film studio hub. The good news for the Scottish screen sector continues.
“Thanks to @screenscots for helping deliver success.”
The new hub will be based on the former Ministry of Defence (MoD) site at Forthside and has been secured after the UK Government agreed to provide £24m to help Stirling Council acquire it from the MoD.
Stirling Council chiefs meanwhile say the location of the Forthside site will provide the screen industry with a “perfect triangle” due to its close proximity to both Edinburgh and Glasgow.
Key scenes for the five-part Sky series on Lockerbie starring Colin Firth (below) have been filmed inside and outside the surviving barracks buildings at Forthside which will be retained for future shoots.
Reacting to the news, Isobel Davis of Screen Scotland said: “The Stirling site’s location and ready potential for conversion into a studio are both exceptionally promising.
“Scotland has recently seen significant growth in productions looking to access its internationally recognised cast and crew, as well as its versatile natural and built environments.
“This new site will only add to Scotland’s considerable offering as a filming destination. We’ve been very encouraged by the visionary approach that the Stirling Council team have taken to get to this stage, including the opportunity to grow the local crew base.
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“We look forward to continuing with them.”
Elsewhere, Stirling Council leader Chris Kane commented: “We have an opportunity to embed an industry which will bring thousands of high-skilled jobs, put us on a global creative map and deliver a significant economic boost to the region over many decades.”
Stirling MP Alyn Smith also welcomed the news and commented: "This is great news for Stirling and will boost our local economy, bringing exciting projects and jobs to both our city and surrounding communities.
"I’m pleased to see this project finally announced, after many painstaking months of negotiation.
"I’ll continue to work closely with key stakeholders to ensure this project delivers for the people I serve, that taxpayers' money is put to good use in promoting Stirling as a place of business - and we see much needed local investment as a result of this fantastic news."
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