Written by new-contact on May 6, 2015. Posted in On Location

Plans submitted for new Scottish film studio in Straiton outside Edinburgh

A development company has submitted plans for a privately-funded Scottish film studio in Straiton south of Edinburgh. The capital hosted over 350 productions in 2014, including romantic period drama Outlander, which spent a little over two weeks filming in the city.

Developer PSL Land Ltd plans to build multiple sound stages and back lot facilities, plus workshop space and an external water tank. The largest stages will span 30,000 sq ft with a height of 70 ft.

“We look forward to creating a world-class facility to complement Scotland’s existing studio spaces and stunning locations,” said Jim O’Donnell, PSLL Development Director.

“Situated on the outskirts of one of Europe’s greatest cities, the proposed studio will place broadcast, indigenous and international film production needs at the forefront, whilst retaining the character and integrity of the local area and its natural beauty.”

The Scottish government is still under pressure to develop a publicly-funded national film studio to put Scotland on a level footing with Northern Ireland and Wales. Last autumn Creative Scotland’s new Film Strategy report stated that a national film studio remained “a key priority” but details are still vague.

Outlander filmed its first season in an adapted warehouse facility in Cumbernauld near Glasgow – the site is now called Wardpark Studios – and the place is reportedly favoured for further development.

Scottish authorities at one point negotiated with Pinewood Studios about the possibility of opening a regional site, but Pinewood eventually opted for Cardiff instead.

In December last year dozens of Scottish production professionals signed an open letter calling for studio development in the Glasgow area.

“Productions using Glasgow will enjoy close links to the city, existing cultural and hospitality amenities, together with the thicker pools of freelance workers and talent living in the city and surrounding areas,” the letter stated.

(Images: Ed Miller/Sony Pictures Television and Entertainment Film Distributors)