Written by new-contact on Mar 23, 2015. Posted in On Location

Outlander boosts film tourism for Scotland

Historical romance Outlander has already had a big impact on film tourism in Scotland and its appeal could grow when the show launches in the UK later this week. Outlander tells the story of a woman caught between lives and romances in World War Two and 18th century Scotland.

The production is based on best-selling novels by Diana Gabaldon and was filmed in an adapted studio space – now called Wardpark Studios – in Cumbernauld near Glasgow. The drama has been renewed for a second season.

An Outlander section on the VisitScotland website has attracted 175,000 visitors since it was launched last summer and there has been a surge of interest in tours of the region, reports the Herald of Scotland.

“Scotland is the land that inspired Outlander and it is great to see the television series has already had such a positive impact on Scottish tourism,” said Mike Cantlay, chairman of VisitScotland, in comments to the outlet.

“With 40% of visitors to the UK inspired to come here after seeing a location on film or on television, a major TV series being shot on location in Scotland carries huge potential benefits for the tourism industry.”

Scotland has enjoyed a boosted profile as an international filming location over the past year. The economic impact of production spending in Edinburgh rose more than 50% in 2014 compared to the previous year, according to figures from Film Edinburgh.

The Scottish government remains under pressure to develop the country’s first purpose-built studio facility to help the regional industry broaden its international appeal. Scotland reportedly lost out on hosting Game of Thrones due to a lack of studio space and last year Pinewood chose to open a new UK facility in Cardiff rather than Scotland.

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