Press release -
Outstanding opportunity for Scotland
A major new television series set in Scotland could serve as the country’s answer to Game of Thrones, according to the national tourism organisation.
The much-anticipated adaptation of Diana Gabaldon’s Outlander books was treated to a glittering red carpet premiere in California at the weekend, and VisitScotland believes the series could turn the country into a magnet for fans of the show, building on what is already a huge fanbase of the bestselling novels.
To capitalise on the following of the books and the starring role that Scotland plays in the TV series, which was filmed almost entirely on location, VisitScotland will be undertaking a number of PR campaigns over the coming months to encourage potential visitors to enjoy an Outlander-style adventure in Scotland.
This activity began by inviting a group of leading American travel writers to premiere screenings of Outlander in San Diego and New York to highlight the real Scottish places and historical events behind the stories. In addition, the national tourism organisation secured a spot on the red carpet in San Diego to interview the stars about filming in Scotland to create a short film which will support future promotions.
Outlander follows the story of Claire Randall (played by Caitriona Balfe), a married English combat nurse from 1945 who, while on a second honeymoon in Inverness, is mysteriously swept back in time to the 18th-century Scottish Highlands. There she meets Jamie (played by Scottish actor Sam Heughan), a chivalrous young warrior, with whom she becomes romantically entwined.
Filming of the 16-part series began last October, in locations including Glasgow, Perthshire, Fife, Edinburgh and West Lothian.
Sam Heughan and Caitriona Balfe were among the stars on the red carpet at Comic-Con 2014 in San Diego for the show’s premiere at the weekend, along with Ronald D. Moore – the executive producer famous for his work on Star Trek: The Next Generation and Star Trek: Deep Space Nine and the man responsible for bringing Outlander to television.
Moore said it was important to shoot the show in Scotland, adding: “This country has a particular quality to it. There is a particular quality to the light, the grass, even the trees. The landscape itself is a character in the show.”
Produced by Sony Pictures Television and featuring elements of adventure, romance and science-fiction, the series is due to be shown on the American TV network Starz on 9 August. It will be shown on Australian television later in the year.
Mike Cantlay, Chairman of VisitScotland, said: “While in America, I have personally seen queues for Diana Gabaldon book-signings disappear round the block. The television series is potentially huge for Scotland and could well be our answer to Game of Thrones.
“Scotland really is the star of Outlander and its focus on stunning scenery, romance, adventure and ancestry make it a fantastic advert for Scotland. Research has shown that around a fifth of visitors to Scotland are inspired to come here after seeing it on television or on film and, that being the case, we are hoping for big things from Outlander.”
Dating back to 1991 with the publication of Outlander (published as Cross Stitch in the UK) Diana Gabaldon’s series of eight Outlander books have sold more than 20 million copies. The most recent, Written in my own Heart’s Blood, was published earlier this summer.
Scotland is fast-becoming a favourite destination for the film and television industry, with recent big-budget movies shot here including Skyfall, Prometheus and The Dark Knight Rises.
ENDS
For further information contact:
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Tom Maxwell Corporate Press Officer Tel: 0131 472 2409 Out of hours media enquiries: 07699 766986 |
Topics
- Tourism
Categories
- film tourism
- corporate communications
Regions
- Scotland
Notes to Editors:
- Follow us on twitter: @visitscotnews
- VisitScotland is Scotland’s national tourism organisation. Its core purpose is to maximise the economic benefit of tourism to Scotland.
- The organisation has three key roles:
- To market Scotland to all parts of the world to attract visitors
- To provide information – and inspiration – to visitors and potential visitors so they get the best out of a visit to Scotland
- To provide quality assurance to visitors and quality advice to the industry and partners to help the industry meet and strive to exceed customer expectations
- VisitScotland works together with tourism businesses to make tourism a success for everyone and ensure the industry continues to grow.
- The organisation employs 700 people and has offices and VisitScotland Information Centres across Scotland.
- 2014 is the year Scotland welcomes the world, when it hosts the Glasgow Commonwealth Games, the Ryder Cup at Gleneagles and more than 800 Homecoming events throughout the country.For more information on Homecoming Scotland 2014, go to www.visitscotland.com
- The VisitScotland Information Centre network is a unique face-to-face channel engaging with around five million visitors and locals each year. Everyone who uses a VisitScotland Information Centre goes on to spend an additional £5.35, generating over £24 million for Scotland’s economy.
- According to a recent Deloitte study, tourism employs 270,000 people in Scotland in 20,000 diverse businesses. The same study calculates that the industry contributes £11 billion annually (direct and indirect impact, including day visits) and supports around 10 per cent of employment in Scotland. Almost 16 million tourists take overnight trips to Scotland.
- Where possible, a Gaelic speaker will be made available for broadcast interviews on request (Far an tèid iarraidh, agus far am bheil sin nar comas, bruidhinnidh neach le Gàidhlig aig agallamh)
- For holiday information on Scotland go to www.visitscotland.com
- For information about business tourism in Scotland go to www.conventionscotland.com
- For more information on VisitScotland’s annual review please go to www.visitscotland.org/about_us/our_focus/annual_report.aspx
