Lights, camera, ambition: Outlander home unveils global film studio plan

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PHIL MILLER

A fourth series of the hugely popular time-travelling drama Outlander is currently being made at Wardpark Studios in Cumbernauld.

Mr Thomson added: “Outlander are filming Series 4 at Wardpark and I am delighted for all that brings to central Scotland and beyond. Working around Outlander’s requirements has slowed the process, but has not dented our ambitions.”

Mr Thomson believes the “global phenomenon” of Outlander and other series, such as the Northern Ireland-made Game of Thrones, has “certainly convinced us that there is demand for good quality film studios in Scotland”. He added that he will not know until mid-2018 if Outlander is to return to shooting in Cumbernauld.

David Smith, a director at Scottish Enterprise, said: “There’s good progress being made by Wardpark Studios in preparation for its planned studio expansion and we’re

delighted that the management team remains committed to further expansion.

“Wardpark Studios will determine the best timescales for its expansion as it’s a commercial decision for them.”

He added: “It’s fantastic to see Outlander choosing Scotland as its base for a fourth year. Outlander makes a significant contribution to the almost £70m in film and TV production spend in Scotland last year, as well as employing around 300 crew in Cumbernauld and taking on nearly 100 trainees to develop their industry skills.

“Scotland’s tourism numbers are also being boosted with Outlander showcasing Scotland’s landscapes and tourist attractions, with some attractions reporting a 92 per cent rise in visitors.”