Around 20 people from the education, business and creative sectors attended the ‘Build The Studio’ event to hear plans, including a 30,000 square foot soundstage, associated parking for production and business and community facilities.

Richard Lochhead MSP also joined the group after originally initiating the discussion several years ago prior to the Army moving into the former RAF base at Kinloss.

Now two people with connections to the film industry have picked up the baton, and brought together some key people to form a working group.

Samantha Hill of Elgin-based software company Openbrolly and Marc Hindey of Screen Moray presented the plan at HIE headquarters in Forres recently.

“The plans are certainly ambitious, and we recognise the significant costs involved. However, with the TV and film industry continuing to expand and the Highlands offering immense potential as a film location, it’s only fitting that our vision matches that scale.

“We’ve got some of the best locations here in the North and North-East, yet there is this barrier facing production companies and facilities. As a result, we would be looking to provide services that will be as good or better than anything we have seen in the UK. A fully sustainable building, with access to the cities of Inverness and Aberdeen, a multi-purpose industry and community building in one, that strives for innovation, talent, economic growth and community development .”

The project is supported by local film offices, Screen Highlands, Moray Film Liaison Service, Screen Moray and Aberdeenshire Film, all of which had a presence at the meeting. Other key players in the space joined the working group.

Marc Hindley of Screen Moray said: “A studio of this size not only needs careful planning, but also investment in terms of money and the community. We’ve built day-to-day facilities into the plans to make it something everyone can use, and be part of.

“The working group will support us taking the concept forward.”

Richard Lochhead, MSP for Moray, said: “I want to congratulate Sam and Marc for convening such a positive and successful meeting, bringing together key local players to discuss the campaign for a film studio in Moray.

“In recent years Moray’s creative sector has grown significantly and at same time there’s a growing demand for film production facilities in Scotland. I’m delighted that Sam and Marc are out there making the case that Moray would be the ideal location for a film studio in the North of Scotland – with all that’s on our doorstep we certainly have plenty to offer to film crews looking to shoot in Scotland. 

“As local MSP I’ve been in and around this issue for many years and at this point I would be really keen for economic agencies to work with the campaign on a feasibility study for a film studio in Moray.”

David Wilson from Visit Moray Speyside added: “I want to see our region take a hold of an amazing opportunity that other destinations have already done and improve the region through the creative arts. Our region deserves to be showcased on the big screen to the world.”

Local film and TV students are working on a virtual model as part of a collaboration already established between UHI and Openbrolly, and they will later canvass the community on a larger scale to record feedback.

Dr Allane Hay, associate dean for business, leisure and creative industries, said: “It is great to see such an inspiring project developing for our region. We look forward to working closely with stakeholders to support the development of the curriculum for this industry.”

The group is now working towards an incorporated structure and raising funds for a feasibility study.