Studio space ‘a must’ by the end of this year

0 An artist’s impression of plans for a film studio development site at Straiton, near Edinburgh. Currently the only studio in use is at Cumbernauld New studio space suitable for films and TV production must be created in Scotland by the end of this year, MSPS have demanded.

Holyrood’s culture committee has called for the Scottish Government and Creative Scotland to take immediate action to address the “urgent need” for new infrastructure.

It has told the arts quango’s new screen chief, whose appointment was announced last week, to make the delivery of a study her top priority.

The only major studio facility is a converted warehouse complex in Cumbernauld where the Sony-starz fantasy TV series Outlander is filmed and is in permanent use.

Joan Mcalpine, the committee’s chairwoman, said a visit to Outlander’s Wardpark Studios facility was a “significant moment” for the sixmonth inquiry.

She said: “We saw with our own eyes how the screen industry contributes to sustainable economic growth.”