Filming in Highland
The Highlands really is the Scotland of your imagination – a beautiful and inspiring region of ancient landscapes with fascinating history. Whichever part of the Highlands you choose to visit, you will be assured of one thing – a genuine, warm Scottish welcome!
Scotcalder Railway Station, Caithness
The Highland Filming Code of Practice
Please read our Code of Practice before filming in the area
The Highland Council does not issue filming permits. Please read the Code of Practice or contact the Highland Film Commission directly to clarify what permissions and agreements you will need in order to carry out your filming project in the Highlands.
Please read our Road Filming Guidance page here
Top 5 reasons to Film in the Highlands
- The Highlands are home to many iconic locations such as towering Ben Nevis, majestic Glencoe, mysterious Loch Ness, and the enchanting Isle of Skye. Our database has over 1,000 fascinating locations awaiting your project.
- Looking for production crew and support services? We have over 500 locally based individuals and companies signed up to our Production Guide.
- With over 3,000 miles of Highland coastline you are sure to fine the perfect shoreline setting for your shoot.
- The media industry is a valuable part of the Highland economy and this is recognised by Highland Council, which is keen to offer assistance to productions in matters such as road closures and traffic management.
- The Cairngorm National Park (the UK’s largest national park at 1,748 square miles) crosses the boundaries of five local authority areas. Within the Highland sector you can find Aviemore, a highly popular access point for the park and its ski centre and the Highland Wildlife Park home to Scottish wildlife and endangered animals from the world’s mountains and tundra regions.
Batman, The Dark Knight Rises
The Highlands of Scotland Film Commission works with our Scottish partners Creative Scotland and UK partners British Film Institute to offer a package of support for film productions coming to the area.
Creative Scotland Funding Programmes
Creative Scotland distributes funding for the arts, screen and creative industries from two primary sources, the Scottish Government and the National Lottery. This funding is the means by which they support a portfolio of organisations across Scotland, as well as how they help with the development of individuals, the funding of ideas, new work and projects, and how they deliver specific activity with partners.
In December 2017, proposals for a Screen Unit within Creative Scotland were approved, following the announcement of a doubling of resources for the Screen Sector in Scotland from £10m per annum to £20m per annum. In August 2018, we revealed the new identity for Screen Scotland – the dedicated partnership for screen in Scotland, delivering enhanced support for all aspects of Scotland’s screen sector
For more information on Screen Scotland Funding and how to apply please visit the the link here.