Written by on Apr 7, 2015. Posted in On Location

VisitScotland expo 2015 to promote Scottish filming locations

Upcoming travel trade show VisitScotland expo 2015 will include a three-day tour to promote Scotland’s filming locations to a small delegation from key international markets. A separate familiarisation trip will specifically promote the drama series Outlander to a German delegation.

The VisitScotland expo will take place in Aberdeen on 22-23 April. Tour operators from Russia, the US, the United Arab Emirates, Switzerland, Ireland and the UK will visit filming locations used in movies like Skyfall, World War Z and the Harry Potter franchise.

“It’s absolutely essential that we fuel the imagination of our overseas tour operators each year, giving them lots of inspiration for how they can package up Scotland for their customers,” said Malcolm Roughead, Chief Executive of VisitScotland.

“From connections with big-budget Hollywood movies like Harry Potter and James Bond, to classic works of fiction like Peter Pan and Sherlock Holmes, some of the world’s most recognised films and books have direct ties to Scotland, and we’re using this to our advantage.”

Added Scott Taylor, Chief Executive of Glasgow City Marketing Bureau: “The film and broadcast industry is hugely important to Glasgow and the economic boost from the sector has been clear for some time.

“The city, through the valuable work of the Glasgow Film Office, has provided a spectacular backdrop to a host of award-winning British films and large scale international productions, which have generated nearly GBP 250 million over the past 15 years.”

Outlander (above) has helped boost Scotland’s profile as an international filming location. The show’s adapted filming facility Wardpark Studios might be expanded to become Scotland’s first major film studio, although many in the Scottish industry are calling for a purpose-built facility nearer Glasgow city centre.

(Photo: Nick Briggs – © 2014 Sony PicturesTelevision Inc)