Scotland’s contribution to the film industry is enjoying something of a boom at the moment, with blockbuster movies such as World War Z, Spider-Man 4, The Dark Knight Rises and the latest Indiana Jones adventure all filmed on location in Scotland, not to mention hit TV shows such as Outlander, The Traitors and Game of Thrones.

Scotland – and indeed the North of England – are blessed with fabulously scenic and dramatic landscapes, with everything from mountains and moorland to rugged coastlines and lochs, all highly prized by film and TV companies.

Many parts of Scotland and northern England also work well as a stand-in for historic Britain, due to the abundance of historic buildings, whether residential or industrial, and most notably the sheer space, dark skies and low population density all facilitating shoots, particularly those of long duration.

Superstar landscapes

In recent years, considerable incentives have been offered to film companies choosing to come to Britain, assisted by active screen agencies (Screen Scotland, Film Office for the North) which facilitate the process and work closely with production companies long before filming starts.

Galbraith has represented a number of estates and landowners in their successful negotiations with production companies and we are frequently approached by film-makers and location scouts.

For any estate or farmer considering entering the spotlight, our advice is that the endeavour is very much worthwhile, as long as it is carefully planned and managed.

We have extensive experience of handling agreements for location fees, plus additional compensation where relevant for parking, equipment storage and crew accommodation.

Protecting the client’s buildings and heritage encompasses setting firm parameters around the use of pyrotechnics, water, and any required ground disturbance. Contracts must include clear reinstatement and environmental protection clauses. We also work closely with Historic Environment Scotland and Historic England where relevant.

Key considerations for outdoor shoots in order to protect estate grounds and the local environment include understanding crofting, forestry, and agricultural sensitivities as well as shooting seasons. It is always worth preparing for and offering advice on challenging weather conditions (at any time of the

year) and seasonal light conditions, plus discussion of suitable power supply and connectivity in rural settings, as well as managing access on minor or single-track roads.

Springboard for rural regeneration

For the local community, it is vital to engage fully, and early, particularly in areas where there are small, close-knit populations. Clear communication with tenants, farmers, and the local authority will prevent any misunderstanding and enable traffic management processes and re-scheduling of non-essential agricultural activities, if necessary.

In many cases, a film shoot is a very positive experience for the immediate area; enabling a short-term boost to local businesses through expenditure during filming, followed by associated tourism related to the film in the months or year afterwards. Major films can act as a springboard for rural regeneration, and may allow a whole new type of tourism to be developed.

As the sector grows, we are expanding our service beyond directly managed clients, to ensure all those interested in the opportunity can be added to location registers for the TV and film sector.

Whether it's a tumbling waterfall, windswept munro, or a beautiful historic house or shooting lodge, or even derelict farmsteadings and moody moors, we're likely to have seen demand for it. So, if you have a stunning location on your property, or even a rugged, post-apocalyptic landscape, do get in touch to discuss your options.