How did Scotland become a Hollywood hotspot?
2025-01-02
Category: entertainment

From superhero blockbusters to Netflix romantic comedies, Scotland has become an increasingly familiar location for Hollywood to use.In the autumn, Twisters star Glen Powell could be seen in Glasgow shooting scenes for sci-fi tale The Running Man, while Edinburgh and Aberdeenshire will be the backdrop for a new version of Frankenstein.Those productions join a lengthy list of films and TV shows filmed in the country over the past decade.Tourism bosses hope successful productions can see Scotland follow the likes of New Zealand - where the Lord of the Rings and Hobbit films were shot - and Northern Ireland, which saw a tourism upswing from Game of Thrones fans looking to visit locations used in the fantasy series.
Why does Hollywood like Scotland for filming?
For some films, such as Orkney-set drama The Outrun or smash-hit TV show Outlander, filming on location in Scotland is a natural option given the stories themselves are set there.Scottish scenery and wilderness is distinctive, and can mostly be accessed relatively quickly from major cities, which helps.However, the past decade has seen cities across the country stand in for other places - something Ray Tallan, the head of film at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, suggests is down to architecture cities like Glasgow and Edinburgh.He says it "lends itself beautifully" to the big screen.Mr Tallan also points to the increase in studio provision in the country, with the likes of First Stage Studios in Leith and Wardpark Film and Television Studios in Cumbernauld.Mr Tallan told BBC Scotland News:  "This gives productions the flexibility to not just use Scotland for its scenery but now also its studio facilities."As more of these productions shoot here successfully, this provides confidence in the sector and an increase in reputation."There is another reason too - money.Like the rest of the UK, Scotland is able to offer tax breaks to productions, which adds to its appeal, as well as additional funding.For example, Glasgow City Council gave Warner Bros around £150,000 to shoot DC Comics film Batgirl in the city - only for the finished movie to never see the light of day after bosses at the studio decided not to release it. 
What locations can Scottish cities double as?
Glasgow has been particularly adaptable, with its streets doubling for London in the  Fast & Furious spin-off Hobbs & Shaw, as legendary comic book location Gotham City in the opening of comic book adventure The Flash, and as 1960s New York for a parade scene in Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny.Cheryl Conway, the head of Screen Commission at Screen Scotland, told BBC Scotland News the country has "versatility", which makes it appeal to studios. Of course, this can work the other way too: cheesy festive romcom A Merry Scottish Christmas used Duns Castle in the Scottish Borders for exterior shots, but nearly the entire film was, despite the title, filmed in Ireland.
What films have been shot in Scotland?
A considerable amount.  Recent fare includes...Frankenstein (Netflix) The Rig series 2 (Prime Video), Fear (Prime Video),Lockerbie: A Search for Truth (Sky)  One Day (Netflix), Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny (Amblin) The Outrun (Arcade Pictures)Tetris (Apple TV+)Andor (Disney+)The Batman (Warner Bros.)California Schemin' (James McAvoy)Avengers: Infinity War (Marvel Studios) Avengers: Endgame (Marvel Studios)The Princess Switch Trilogy (Netflix)
Does Scotland's economy benefit from filming?
This is a more complicated issue.A regular concern when massive productions take over parts of the city is whether the disruption negatively hits local businesses.  When the Batgirl film was axed, Glasgow City Council told the Daily Record that the production still provided "a very significant economic benefit" for the wider city.However, businesses in areas where filming occurred were less convinced, telling the BBC at the time that their trade had been adversely affected.The Social Recluse clothing shop on King Street in the Trongate area was given £1,000 in compensation after having to close for 10 days for filming - something staff said didn't make up for a "wasted month".Other productions, such as Indiana Jones and the Running Man remake, have seen swathes of Glasgow altered and streets and roads blocked off, raising the question of whether those being directly affected are actually seeing any benefits.Dr Ewelina Lacka, of the Business School at the University of Edinburgh, told BBC Scotland News that economic benefits of films in Scotland were a "mixed perspective", particularly in regards to tourism.She explained: "It's not only the film being made there but whether are certain conditions met, mainly related to destination management and marketing. "It highlights the importance of something like Visit Scotland, in having a marketing strategy implemented before and after filming." 
What is the Outlander effect on Scottish tourism? 
The clearest example of a film or TV production boosting Scotland is Outlander, the hugely popular TV show based on books by American author Diana Gabaldon.Several companies now off Outlander tours around Scotland, visiting locations used throughout the long-running series.Dr Lacka said: "It's a diversion effect – people plan trips, and work in the filming locations as part of a wider visit."Mr Tallan agrees, saying: "Outlander has an amazing reach globally and there is no doubt it has had an impact on tourism at locations where the production is shot."
Does the homegrown Scottish film industry benefit from Hollywood productions?
Screen Scotland believes the local film industry gains advantages from visiting big productions.Ms Conway said it enabled trainees and Scottish crews to gain "vital experience" and help secure "sustainable careers" in the long-term.Mr Tallan agrees, saying more experienced crew members can move onto big productions, which in turn "gives that opportunity for new blood to come in" on smaller shoots.
Where will we see Scotland on screen next?
Glasgow was recently taken over for The Running Man, based on Stephen King's book and already adapted once in a 1980s action film starring Arnold Schwarzenegger.This time Glen Powell is the man forced to fight to survive on a ruthless game show, with Glasgow portraying a dystopian, futuristic city.Edinburgh and Aberdeenshire will be stepping in for 18th Century Germany in a new version of Gothic horror Frankenstein for streaming giant Netflix, directed by Guillermo Del Toro.The Hellboy director had an interesting experience while in Scotland - he posted on social media saying that he believed his hotel might be haunted.  New Sky drama Lockerbie: A Search For Truth will be shown in January, with shooting having taken place in Linlithgow. 