Film Partner For Spirit Of The Highlands And Islands Project Content Announced

20th December 2021

On behalf of The Highland Council, High Life Highland this week announced Northport as the successful partner for the film input to Spirit of the Highlands and Islands project.

The Spirit of the Highlands and Islands project will be delivered in partnership with VisitScotland and aims to deliver benefits for local communities, helping to unlock economic potential and improve visitor experiences across the region by engaging people with our rich natural and cultural heritage.

It is supported by a grant from the Natural and Cultural Heritage Fund (NCHF) led by NatureScot and part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). Reflecting the Spirit of the Highlands theme, it will encourage people to visit all parts of the Highlands in a sustainable way.

Fiona Hampton, director for the Inverness Castle - Spirit of the Highlands project said: "We're very much looking forward to working with Northport which will be capturing fantastic footage of the stories of Highland people.

“These series of films will showcase those stories and the stunning scenery that makes our home such an incredible part of the world."

Founded in 2017 by husband-and-wife team Tom and Dianne Duncan, Northport is a content studio in Elgin with a client portfolio spanning retail, tourism, fashion and food and drink.

Dianne said: “People are coming around to the idea that a film studio can operate internationally from the north of Scotland.

“We have shot in such far-flung locations as Sri Lanka, Chile and Hawaii but our heart, and our home, is here in the Highlands. Indeed, High Life Highland’s decision to involve us in the Spirit of the Highlands and Islands project will go a long way towards supporting homegrown talent in the creative industries.

“We offer a foundation apprenticeship at Northport and brought on two new full-time employees this year.”

Tom added: “We’re delighted to be working with High Life Highland on this project.

“The year ahead will be spent capturing cinematic stories from every corner of the Highlands and Islands and our young, ambitious crew can’t wait to get started.

“We want to take our audience off the beaten track and leave a legacy of films which will entertain visitors for years to come.”

Northport’s team also includes Director of Photography and Aerial Specialist Ryan Daglish, who added: “This project is a huge opportunity for us as a studio, and work has already begun on sifting through contributor stories and bringing them to life.”

Chris Taylor, VisitScotland’s Regional Leadership Director, said: “Our Highlands and islands are perfect locations for capturing iconic video footage and I welcome the news that Northport has been appointed as the film partner for this exciting project.

“I have no doubt that they will capture some fantastic shots, which can help enhance the reputation of these locations as destinations for outstanding natural and cultural beauty, help grow geographical and regional spread and promote them to visitors as great autumn and winter destinations.”

The delivery of this project is supported through the Natural and Cultural Heritage Fund (NCHF) led by NatureScot and part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). Through this project we will work together with NatureScot and other partner organisations such as VisitScotland to deliver a natural and cultural heritage project that will deliver many benefits for local communities throughout the Highlands and Islands, helping to unlock economic potential and improving visitor experiences across the region.

The transformation of Inverness Castle is supported by £15 million Scottish Government and £3 million UK Government investment through the Inverness and Highland City Region Deal. It will create a gateway for Highland tourism, contributing to reinvigoration of tourism across the area and providing much needed investment for the industry to aid the recovery from the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic. The project will support economic growth throughout the Highland area, creating a sustainable, viable and “must-see” attraction that will celebrate the spirit of the Highlands.

The Inverness and Highland City Region deal is a joint initiative supported by up to £315m investment from the UK and Scottish governments, The Highland Council, Highlands and Islands Enterprise and University of the Highlands and Islands, aimed at stimulating sustainable regional economic growth.