Marvel's Avengers helps boost Edinburgh filming

A record £16.1m for the local economy in 2017 was generated by filming in the city region of Edinburgh – an increase of 109% on the previous year – according to figures released by Film Edinburgh. 

By Nia Daniels 27 Feb 2018

Marvel's Avengers helps boost Edinburgh filming
Avengers Infinity War

A record £16.1m for the local economy in 2017 was generated by filming in the city region of Edinburgh – an increase of 109% on the previous year – according to figures released by Film Edinburgh.


A major contributor to the hefty rise was such as Marvel’s Avengers: Infinity War.

The feature spent seven weeks shooting on location in the Scottish capital last summer, after a year of liaising between Film Edinburgh and the studio executives.

Director Joe Russo said during filming last year: “When Edinburgh came up as a location option we jumped at the chance. The city is such a unique and iconic location, but one never seen as the backdrop for a big action film.”

There were other features that shot in the Edinburgh area during the 12 months, including Mary Queen of Scots from director Josie Rourke and Working Title, and Netflix’s Outlaw King, a feature film about Robert the Bruce directed by David Mackenzie.

Domestic TV dramas also boosted the region’s film-friendly profile with productions such as Trust Me and Liar showcasing Edinburgh locations, while Starz’s historic time travel drama Outlander used the city’s Craigmillar Castle and Old Town for Series 3.

In total, there were 1,068 days of filming, with 348 productions made in the city in 2017, including 11 feature films, seven TV dramas, 88 factual shows and 24 commercials.

Rosie Ellison, film manager for Film Edinburgh, said: “Accommodating feature films like Avengers: Infinity War shows the industry that not only is Edinburgh a uniquely stunning and historical location, it also has the infrastructure in place to support big budget productions, and we are hugely proud to have worked on such a range of exciting projects this year.”

Photo credit: Walt Disney Entertainment/Marvel Studios.


A major contributor to the hefty rise was such as Marvel’s Avengers: Infinity War.

The feature spent seven weeks shooting on location in the Scottish capital last summer, after a year of liaising between Film Edinburgh and the studio executives.

Director Joe Russo said during filming last year: “When Edinburgh came up as a location option we jumped at the chance. The city is such a unique and iconic location, but one never seen as the backdrop for a big action film.”

There were other features that shot in the Edinburgh area during the 12 months, including Mary Queen of Scots from director Josie Rourke and Working Title, and Netflix’s Outlaw King, a feature film about Robert the Bruce directed by David Mackenzie.

Domestic TV dramas also boosted the region’s film-friendly profile with productions such as Trust Me and Liar showcasing Edinburgh locations, while Starz’s historic time travel drama Outlander used the city’s Craigmillar Castle and Old Town for Series 3.

In total, there were 1,068 days of filming, with 348 productions made in the city in 2017, including 11 feature films, seven TV dramas, 88 factual shows and 24 commercials.

Rosie Ellison, film manager for Film Edinburgh, said: “Accommodating feature films like Avengers: Infinity War shows the industry that not only is Edinburgh a uniquely stunning and historical location, it also has the infrastructure in place to support big budget productions, and we are hugely proud to have worked on such a range of exciting projects this year.”

Photo credit: Walt Disney Entertainment/Marvel Studios.

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