Sir, Scotland has an outstanding diversity of locations and Scottish Screen, as the national agency, works to promote them all to film-makers to meet their often very specific requirements (“Scotland tries to sell its uglier side to Hollywood”, Feb 4).
We are extremely fortunate that we can provide urban gritty locations as well as wonderful unspoilt areas of natural beauty, and we are world renowned for our well-preserved historic buildings. The futuristic thriller Doomsday was recently shot in the inner city Glasgow district of Haghill as well as the stunning and dramatic location of Blackness Castle.
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In the past year Scottish Screen has helped to bring to Scotland the fantasy comedy Stardust, the historical drama Stone of Destiny, the romantic comedy Made of Honour, the horror film Book of Blood and the children’s fantasy The Waterhorse, currently wowing audiences around the world, and is one of the first English language films to go to China: all multimillion-pound budget films portraying very different views of Scotland.
Investment from film production helps to bring in about £25 million to Scotland’s economy each year — spending on location hire, hotels, car hire, catering — as well as providing work for Scottish production and facilities companies, actors and crews.
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Ken Hay
Chief Executive, Scottish Screen