Exciting times ahead for the creative industries in Scotland as Stirling is set to become the home of one of the largest film and TV production studios in Scotland. Stirling Studios will be located at the former Ministry of Defence site at Forthside which is now being redeveloped with support from a £19 million UK Government grant.
It is hoped that the site will be utilised by major streaming companies such as Netflix and Amazon to produce both films and television series. From construction workers to make-up artists to set designers to camera engineers, it is anticipated that this new studio will create more than 4,000 jobs over the next 25 years.
The development of Stirling Studios follows the success of the recently established First Stage Studios in Leith and Wardpark Film and Television studios in Cumbernauld. First Stage Studios opened in 2020 and has since been the host of productions including ‘The Rig’ (Seasons 1 and 2) which aired on Amazon Prime and the upcoming series ‘Anansi Boys.’ In Cumbernauld Wardpark Film and Television Studios is currently occupied by Sony Pictures Television and Left Bank Picture for Starz for the production of internationally popular TV series, Outlander. BBC Studioworks also transformed Kelvin Hall into a film studio. The iconic Glasgow building was utilised in the production of ‘Screw,’ a television series produced by STV.
Screen Scotland, an organisation which drives the development of Scotland’s film and TV industry, published a new strategy in March 2024 which sets out the future ambitions for the Film and TV industry in Scotland. The organisation plans to continue to support growth in the industry by focusing on targeted development funding for local projects, educating through film and screen and inspiring Scottish audiences. In addition the new strategy has set an economic growth target of £1 billion (GVA) within the Scottish economy by 2030/31.
Scotland has a long and globally renowned creative history from historic literary figures like Sir Walter Scott and Robert Burns to the current Netflix hit tv series, ‘Baby Reindeer’, which originated from an Edinburgh Fringe Play. The continued development of film and TV studios in Scotland provides a platform and opportunity for Scottish creators to develop and produce future Scottish classics, to keep talent in Scotland and to attract more and more international investment and engagement.
The Media team at Morton Fraser MacRoberts would be happy to assist in providing advice on legal queries relating to the film and tv industry and advice on media law in general. Should you have any queries please do not hesitate to get in touch with Euan Duncan, Partner in the IPTC team at Morton Fraser MacRoberts.
