With its spectacular scenery, historic architecture and world famous festivals, Edinburgh is regarded as one of the UK’s most vibrant and visually stunning cities. From the iconic castle that resides in the centre of town to the brilliantly preserved Georgian and Victorian buildings, Edinburgh provides an abundance of breathtaking locales that filmmakers have been taking advantage of for years. Having the reputation as a particularly friendly and relaxed place to film, the city has played host to productions as diverse as the Hitchcock classic The 39 Steps, the Oscar-winning Chariots Of Fire and Trainspotting.
Best known as an ideal location for filming period dramas, Edinburgh also houses a number of modern offices, contemporary homes and new waterfront developments. Lately the city has played host to the production of the popular Inspector Rebus television movies for ITV, as well as children’s fantasy show Shoebox Zoo for the BBC.
A breathtaking array of mansions and castles also lie a mere hour-and-a-half drive from Edinburgh’s city centre, with the opulent Edwardian Manderston House and Duns Castle recently being utilised by feature film productions Man To Man and Mrs Brown. The surrounding countryside also offers the wonderful cliffs at St Abb’s Head, quaint fishing villages and vast beaches at Seacliff, Yellowcraig and Gullane. Confirming its status as an attractive and easily accessible destination, Edinburgh has an international airport just eight miles from the city centre. It is served by major airlines to a host of international destinations with over 25 return flights each day for the hour-long flight to London.
Edinburgh also hosts a number of first class production and post production companies and facilities, including Skyline Productions, Hammerhead TV, Hand Pict Productions, The Warehouse, Nobles Gate, Strathmore Film Lighting, Freakworks, Crystal Media and Edinburgh Film Studios.
With its wide array of locations and reputation for welcoming productions of all kinds, Edinburgh continues to position itself as a world-class production centre and hotbed of creative activity.
Edinburgh Film Focus
Edinburgh Film Focus is funded by local authorities to promote the Edinburgh, Lothian and Scottish Borders region for on-location film, video and television production. They have a database of production services and a locations library to help filmmakers find locations, facilities and crew.
"Edinburgh is a city used to hosting events and filming, and the local authorities are extremely film-friendly. We have great experience in facilitating location filming, and Central Scotland has a wealth of excellent and experienced crew for all types of productions”, explains Ros Davis of Edinburgh Film Focus.
Edinburgh’s stunning locations, Ros is quick to point out, are definitely one of the city’s major attractions for visiting productions: “The variety of locations is astounding, covering everything from period to contemporary settings, all of them within easy reach of the city centre. There is an abundance of period streets that require very little work to turn the clock back. It’s a truly visually stunning city that offers DOPs and directors some wonderful opportunities."
Productions Recently Shot in Edinburgh
• The Da Vinci Code the feature length adaptation of Dan Brown’s bestselling novel.
• Driving Lessons a UK feature film directed and written by Jeremy Brock.
• ITV’s Rebus series starring John Hannah as Ian Rankin’s crime fighting creation.
• Summer Solstice an adaption of the Highlandsbased Rosamund Pilcher novel.
Production breakdown
Productions filmed in the Edinburgh area during 2005:
Feature 2%
Commercials 8%
Corporate/Non-Broadcast 8%
Pop promo 2%
Shorts 18%
TV Documentaries 28%
TV Drama 2%
TV Light Entertainment 15%
What does the future hold?
The beginning of the year is packed with a host of police dramas for TV: more Rebus (STV), Low Winter Sun (Tiger Aspect) and Feel The Force (BBC). We’re also expecting Death Defying Acts about Harry Houdini, Marathon to be directed by Tim Sullivan, and Dave McKenzie’s next feature, Hallam Foe.
"The variety of locations is astounding, covering everything from period to contemporary settings, all of them within easy reach of the city centre. There is an abundance of period streets that require very little work to turn the clock back. It’s a truly visually stunning city that offers DOPs and directors some wonderful opportunities."
Ros Davis of Edinburgh Film Focus
Out And About In Edinburgh.
Bars and restaurants
Harvey Nichols
30-34 St Andrew Square,
Edinburgh EH2 2AD
Tel 0131 524 8350 www.harveynichols.com
"The glass-sided restaurant and cafe on the top floor of Harvey Nichols is a classy place for cocktails, tremendous food and a fantastic location for deal-making." Marlene Zwickler, Marlene Zwickler & Associates
The Street
2 Picardy Place,
Edinburgh EH1 3JT
Tel 0131 556 4272
"A favourite bar is The Street. Every second Thursday they run a club called ‘Born To Be Wide’, where musicians and creatives from the media sector get together for a social. It’s great fun, with an eclectic mix of music from bands and people in the biz who DJ. They do great cocktails as well!" Mickey Turner, Martin Smith Online
With its spectacular scenery, historic architecture and world famous festivals, Edinburgh is regarded as one of the UK’s most vibrant and visually stunning cities. From the iconic castle that resides in the centre of town to the brilliantly preserved Georgian and Victorian buildings, Edinburgh provides an abundance of breathtaking locales that filmmakers have been taking advantage of for years. Having the reputation as a particularly friendly and relaxed place to film, the city has played host to productions as diverse as the Hitchcock classic The 39 Steps, the Oscar-winning Chariots Of Fire and Trainspotting.
Production breakdown
