New map showcases Borders film heritage

The Scottish Borders’ stunning scenery has played a starring role in film and TV productions alongside the likes of Gillian Anderson, Dame Judi Dench, Billy Connolly, David Tennant, Helena Bonham Carter and Jamie Bell for years.

To celebrate, Film Edinburgh has teamed up with Scottish Borders Council and VisitScotland to create a new movie map to highlight the region’s top 20 film locations. VisitScotland is working with Scottish Borders Council to distribute the maps to tourist offices, attractions and hotels throughout the Scottish Borders and North of England. It is hoped the map will encourage visitors and film-lovers to visit and further explore all the region has to offer.

With VisitBritain reporting that 40 per cent of visitors to the UK are influenced by the images they see on screen, it is hoped the new map will reaffirm the Scottish Borders’ connections to famous films and internationally acclaimed TV dramas such as Mrs Brown, The Escape Artist, House of Mirth, Case Histories and Greystoke- the Legend of Tarzan.

The Scottish Borders’ rural scenery, golden beaches and historic buildings, combined with its logistical ease of access for production crews, have made it a popular location choice in recent years. Ranging from the grandeur of Floors Castle, as seen in Greystoke – The Legend of Tarzan and Manderston House in The House of Mirth, to the Innerleithen valley in Hallam Foe and the village of Peebles, the backdrop to Almost Heaven, footage of the Scottish Borders has been seen around the world by millions of people.

Rosie Ellison, Film Manager for Film Edinburgh, said: "The variety of productions featured on the map reflects the versatility and quality the Scottish Borders has to offer as a film location. With plans for a film studio in the southeast of Scotland currently under consideration, everything we can do to raise awareness of productions made in the region and promote a film friendly environment to attract new projects is only a good thing.

“The Scottish Borders is the latest region to have a movie map created by Film Edinburgh, following our movie maps of Edinburgh and East Lothian produced last year. As well as engaging visitors, feedback from locals is that they too find the maps really informative, helping them learn about their favourite movie locations and in turn, sharing that knowledge with visiting tourists.”

This Is Edinburgh is urging people to visit their favourite film destinations in Edinburgh, the Scottish Borders and East Lothian and share their favourite #myfilmmoments on social media. From Renton’s iconic sprint along Princes Street in Trainspotting to the academic detective Robert Langdon of the Da Vinci Code’s visit to Rosslyn Chapel, Edinburgh and the surrounding regions has been the backdrop to some of Scotland’s most iconic scenes. The best videos and images will be showcased at Film in the City in June. For more information on #myfilmmoments visit thisisedinburgh.com

Councillor Stuart Bell, Scottish Borders Council’s Executive Member for Economic Development, said: “It is not surprising given the variety and beauty of the area’s setting and scenery that the Scottish Borders is an ideal film location. We are proud to have hosted a rich and diverse number of productions and look forward to welcoming more in the future.

“Increasing numbers of people are interested in visiting locations where their favourite films and dramas have been filmed, or key scenes staged, and this map highlights some well-known spots as well as some hidden gems which will be of interest to visitors to the area. As well as advertising the scenic beauty of the Scottish Borders, it’s great fun to recall the scenes which were filmed in each location!”

Paula McDonald, VisitScotland’s Regional Director for the Borders, said: “This fun, informative and fascinating map is a film fan’s dream! It is hugely exciting to visit somewhere that you have only ever seen on the silver screen and I’m sure many visitors to this region will feel the same. The Borders is full of amazing real-life movie sets and, following the opening of the Borders Railway in September, it’ll be even easier for people to explore these stunning locations for themselves.”

To download a copy of the new Scottish Borders on the Screen Map can be downloaded here

Visit http://wwwthisisedinburgh.com/myfilmmoments to find out more about how to share #myfilmmoments