Filming Locations: Scottish Highlands

Jamie Stone, the Member of Parliament for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross, asked the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, Lisa Nandy, what steps the Government is taking to promote the Scottish Highlands as a film location for movies and television. In her response, Lisa Nandy stated that the Government is taking a fresh approach to its relationship with the Scottish Government and cultural partners across Scotland, seeking a more consistent and constructive relationship than the previous Government. She informed the House that the Prime Minister had recently convened the first-ever Council of the Nations and Regions, and that the Government is putting the creative industries in every nation and region at the heart of its economic strategy. Jamie Stone welcomed the Secretary of State's answer and highlighted the potential of Scotland, noting that the popular TV show "The Traitors" was filmed at Ardross Castle in his constituency. He acknowledged that these matters are devolved, but expressed concern about the Scottish Government's apparent inconsistency in funding the arts. He requested that the Secretary of State do everything possible to encourage companies like Netflix to look closely at the Highlands. In response, Lisa Nandy agreed with the MP's assessment of Scotland's cultural assets, stating that she had met with her Scottish Government counterpart during her visit to the Edinburgh Fringe over the summer. She also noted that the recent international investment summit had demonstrated that partners like Netflix and other international investors see the enormous value and appeal of investing in Scotland. The Secretary of State assured the House that the Government will do everything it can to support the creative industries in Scotland and "put rocket boosters under" their development.