Filming boom injects £1.3million into local economy
A SIGNIFICANT rise in filming across the county has pumped £1.3million into the local economy, it has been revealed.
Accommodation providers, shops and caterers across Argyll and Bute will benefit from the production spend from the last 12 months.
The bumper year has seen an increase of £720,000 compared to 2022.
A total of 31 different productions were filmed in the area between January 2023 and January 2024.
Some of the high-profile productions include, Sacred Islands with Ben Fogle on Iona, Islay and Jura; Post Malone’s Mourning music video at Loch Lomond; Channel 4’s GPs in the Wild filmed across various locations in Argyll and Bute; The Hairy Bikers on the Isle of Bute, and a big-budget Bollywood film in the Arrochar area.
Argyll and Bute Council’s Film Service, in collaboration with Screen Scotland and the Scottish Location Network, continue to attract investment, having received 90 film enquiries.
Councillor Liz McCabe, policy lead for Islands and Business Development, said: “Argyll and Bute’s diverse geography makes it the perfect location for the screen industry.
“It is therefore not surprising that we have experienced a rise in productions filmed here over the last 12 months.
“The length of time that production crews have spent in the area also significantly increased in 2023, providing a much-needed and welcome boost to the local economy.”
She said that the area’s growth as a popular film location is not only a boon for local businesses, but also promotes the locality and stimulates visitor numbers through increased film tourism.