Scotland has featured in plenty of big and small screen TV series over the past couple of years.
In particular, Edinburgh has played host to a number of film and television shoots, from cult hit Trainspotting T2, and blockbuster Avengers: Infinity War to TV shows Outlander and Clique.
However not many people know that production companies choose to film in real places rather than film studios, including restaurants, hotels, castles and even people’s homes – and homeowners and businesses can get involved by registering their property as a possible film location.
Film Edinburgh is the film office for Edinburgh, East Lothian and the Scottish Borders.
They offer free advice to productions on the locations, crew and facilities that are available in the area. They have the local knowledge will save them time in setting up the shoot, and know the locations that are interested in allowing filming, plus have a location library together with the Edinburgh production guide of local crew and facilities.
The Signet Library
A spokesman for Film Edinburgh said: ‘There are many benefits to signing up to the film database. Not only do the chosen location owners get paid and get to see their home on screen, but in some cases have received careers advice about jobs in the film industry, personal signed photos of the stars – or even a new kitchen!
‘One home owner agreed to a production company altering the layout of their kitchen but loved what they did so much they had it plumbed in.’
Established in 1990 as the first film office in Scotland, recently they have found locations such as Craigmillar Castle in Outlander series three and Netflix hit Outlaw King, the Signet Library hosted Outlander series three, as well as homes from season one of cult BBC3 series Clique.
The spokesman continued: ‘We have extensive experience of facilitating productions, in-depth local knowledge, a vast range of locations and excellent relationships in and around the Edinburgh city region which together make Film Edinburgh a one-stop-shop for filming and production needs in the Edinburgh city region.
‘Film Edinburgh acts as the first point of liaison for productions with the City of Edinburgh Council, East Lothian Council, Scottish Borders Council and Police Scotland (Edinburgh and Lothian & Borders divisions). We have the contacts if the shoot requires parking, road closures, police personnel, street furniture removal etc.’
This home featured in BBC drama Clique
Felicity Nixon, of Historic Environment Scotland, was delighted with the response after Craigmillar Castle appeared in Outlander.
She said: ‘I’m happy to share that Craigmillar Castle visitor numbers did increase after it featured in series 3 of Outlander.
‘In financial year 2015-16 we welcomed 21,271 visitors, and by 2017-18 this had increased to 30,305. Visitors are a mixture of domestic and international, and while we don’t ask visitors specifically what has inspired them to visit, we do get the impression that more people are making sure to add Craigmillar to their itineraries as a result of its exposure on the screen.
‘Local areas cope through careful planning – managing vehicle entrance and exit and remaining in contact with local residents. I don’t personally know of anyone who has chosen to move out due to disruption.’
Anyone interested in registering their home should click HERE.
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