Finally getting house in order on film production

NEWS that production spend on film and TV in Scotland has risen by over 30 per cent to a record high of £69.4 million is most welcome. Productions such as T2: Trainspotting and Outlander played their part, attracted by our stunning locations and talented people.

We’ve long known these attributes in themselves are not enough to compete more effectively with the likes of Wales and Northern Ireland in attracting film projects. What Scotland has long lacked has been infrastructure but, with Pentland Studio in Midlothian recently getting the go-ahead and plans revealed for an international film studio at Heriot-Watt University, there are signs the pieces are starting to fit into place.

The picture looks even more positive with the opening next January of a National Film and Television School at the BBC’s studios in Pacific Quay, Glasgow. That has been backed by the Scottish Government which, earlier this week, announced an increase in screen sector investment from £10m to £20m.

As in any good drama, the feelgood feeling isn’t the whole story. The weak pound may have played its part in aiding the record inward investment and, while visiting productions are welcome, we still lack a “Scottish movie industry” of our own. There’s some way to go, but yesterday’s figures are at least another indication we are getting our act together.