Tourism firms are hoping for boost from film

Tourism businesses in Argyll are hoping life could imitate art with the release of a new film.

Then Came You is written by and stars US TV presenter and singer Kathie Lee Gifford.

It tells the story of a widow who travels to Scotland, inspired by the movies shot here.

Co-starring Scots actors Craig Ferguson and Fo r d Kiernan, along with Liz Hurley, the film was shot on location in Argyll in 2018, with stunning views across Loch Fyne and the surrounding landscape providing the backdrop to the romantic comedy.

The cast and crew stayed on location during the six- week shoot at Drimsynie Ho l i d ay Pa r k , wi t h Gifford staying at the Lodge on Loch Goil, which she was so taken with that she rewrote the ending to the film to include it during production.

Then Came You tells the story of a lonely widow who plans a trip around the world with her husband’s ashes to visit the places they loved in the movies.

Iain Hopkins, proprietor and head chef at the Lodge on Loch Goil, said: “Since Then Came You has been released our website has been inundated with views from the USA, which shows the power a film can have on an area like Argyll.”

Among the locations to feature are Ardkinglas House and Estate, Cairndow; The Rest and Be Thankful; Kilmorich Church, Cairndow; Arrochar and Ta r b e t Tr a i n Station; George Hotel, Inveraray; Treehouse, the Lodge on Loch Goil and Lochgilphead.

It comes in the wake of popular US productions filmed in Scotland such as Avengers: Infinity War and Endgame, which had scenes in Edinburgh.