Bid to push through £140m film studio

First Minister urged to back plan to bring moviestars to Perthshire

The Scottish Government is facing increased pressure to back a controversial six-stage movie studio, which could lead to more big-name Hollywood productions filmed in Perthshire.

The £140 million Pentlands complex – which will involve a partnership with the 10,000-acre Abercairney Estate in Crieff – is in limbo.

The scheme was called in by Scottish ministers after Midlothian Council failed to make a ruling on planning consent. Now, more than 200 film and TV producers and directors have signed a plea to First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, urging her to intervene and allow the six stage studio to go ahead.

If approved, developers intend to use areas of rural Perthshire for outdoor movie locations.

More than 200 film-makers, TV producers and other behind-the-scenes crew are demanding the Scottish Government backs the country’s first major studio complex, which could see more Hollywood-style productions shot in Perthshire.

Controversial plans for the £230 million Pentland Studio, which is expected to bring major benefits to the Crieff area, were called in by Scottish ministers after Midlothian Council failed to make a decision on planning consent.

Opponents argue that the land near Straiton, on the outskirts of Edinburgh, is the wrong location for the 96-acre development, which, if approved, would feature six large sound stages and a water stage.

Developers are in talks with the Abercairny Estate, near Crieff, about using its lochs, woodland, mansion house and walled garden for outdoor shoots.

The Association of Film and Television Producers Scotland has written to First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and culture secretary Fiona Hyslop, amongst others, to warn that Scotland will fall behind the rest of the UK if the Pentland project is rejected.

David Burt, the location manager responsible for transforming Perth train station for the 2013 film The Railway Man, featuring Colin Firth and Nicole Kidman, said: “Large-scale film and TV productions are begging for studio space up and down the country.

“If we can bring these productions to Scotland and show them our world-class crew and world-class studios then we will be in a far better position than we have been in for decades.

“As it is, we are working out of dangerous, grimy, asbestos-ridden sheds which are not fit for purpose.”

A Scottish Government spokeswoman said: “We have already affirmed emphatically that we believe that Scotland can sustain more than one permanent studio which is why we continue to welcome approaches from the private sector.”

Large-scale film and TV productions are begging for studio space up and down the country. DAVID BURT

Doune Castle in Perthshire was used for some scenes in the film Monty Python and the Holy Grail.