THE positive tourism impact filming of a block-busting movie had on a Borders village has been dissected by the manager of a south of Scotland film service.
Members of Scottish Borders Council’s (SBC) decision-making Executive Committee received a presentation this month from Rosie Ellison, manager of Film Edinburgh, a company that facilitates national and international film-makers to identify suitable locations in the region.
Statistics show that 35% of European visitors now visit Scotland as a direct result of films or TV shows they have watched.
Film Edinburgh receives 400 inquires from individual film-makers each year, asking for advice on regions to film in within the Borders, Edinburgh and East Lothian.
The Borders is a popular destination for film crews. The Leaderfoot Viaduct was used as a backdrop in the last Indiana Jones film.
St Abbs became "New Asgard" in Marvel’s Avengers: Endgame – with the village now officially twinned with the fictitious location.
As a result the village has become a tourist hotspot for movie-loving visitors.
Burnmouth Harbour has also been the evocative location for the filming of the ITV detective drama Vera.
Ellison said: “We have been working with Scottish Borders Council’s economic development team since about 2002, supporting the region with film, TV productions and commercials, factual TV, entertainment shows.
“They might ask if we have any beaches, coastal harbours, fishing villages and we’ll say actually, as it happens, take a look at St Abbs for instance, and low and behold we get Avengers: Endgame.
“You’ll all be aware of the impact that movies have had on St Abbs visitor numbers, with increased numbers still visiting now compared to prior to the film going there, with a lot more young people going through and stopping and taking pictures.
“Films also contribute to the local economy, they hire local services, they pay for locations, they use council facilities and on average in a year they will spend half a million to two million pounds within the Scottish Borders.
“It also adds to civic pride. It’s always quite nice to see your home on the big screen, even if it's just for a flash.”
Councillor Carol Hamilton said: “This is really a good news story for the Borders.
“I will declare a little interest in the fact that I was involved in Harry Styles making one of his videos at St Abbs, that’s my claim to fame.
“It’s just really good to see the film companies being involved with the communities and being mindful of what the communities need and want.
“The fact that they use catering, taxis, pubs – it’s all the kind of things they need to make their film.
“I know that in Abbs in particular there has been a positive tourism impact.”
Councillor Fay Sinclair said: “You can’t underestimate the impact that this has on young people, recognising places that are home to them on the big screen gives them a sense of pride.”
