Highland screen industry attracts over £3.5M growth in direct film spend

2nd April 2025

Photograph of Highland screen industry attracts over £3.5M growth in direct film spend

Continuing with the trend over the past few years, Highland has seen the highest ever direct spend recorded for filming in The Highland Council region. In 2024, figures surpassed previous years to reach over £3.5million in direct spend.

The Highland Council operates Screen Highland and has been central to the growth of the screen industry in Highland, promoting locations and services and supporting productions throughout the process.

Economy and Infrastructure Committee Chair. Cllr Ken Gowans said: "The growth of the screen industry across Highland is very welcome news. The £3.5m spend includes location fees, local crew hire, accommodation, catering, and extended services required by the productions and has been spread across the whole of the Highlands.

Productions that helped boost this figure included the return of both of the UK & US version of The Traitors to Ardross Castle, several car commercials and a couple of high-end TV dramas.

"With our outstanding scenery, pent up demand for visits to the culturally rich Highlands and crews supported by professional expertise, the Highlands offer a huge amount to film productions and commercial marketing, which we all welcome and look forward to further economic growth in this area throughout 2025/26."

With the year-on-year increase in filming in the Highlands, Screen Highland is keen to add to its location and crew databases. Any interested parties should get in touch directly with Screen Highland to be added to the locations or crew database. We are especially keen to increase the number of rural cottages and houses in our locations database and would encourage anyone interested in getting involved in the film industry as a location host to please get in touch.

In line with The Highland Council's desire to ensure the screen industry is a positive asset to the Highland region, Screen Highland has been working with productions to ensure they follow key sustainability guidelines whilst filming in the region. Screen Highland is working with productions to ensure they involve communities in their work and continue to support the industry in Highland.

For more information on the services Screen Highland offers please visit: www.screenhighland.com

PHOTO
Carrie Forbes

 

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