Hollywood blockbuster Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom will premier at cinemas across the UK today (Wednesday) but did you know that part of the movie was filmed in Argyll and Bute?
Eagle-eyed fans of the movie will spot Glen Mallan Jetty at Loch Long, near Arrochar, when they go to see the film at the cinema over the coming weeks.
Filming took place in April last year, with the council’s film office and roads teams working alongside Universal productions to smooth the logistics of getting up to 20 American rig trucks to site with all the equipment needed for filming.
The crew had a very positive experience of filming in Argyll. Nicholas Oliver, location manager, says: “The footage that we filmed looked incredible. It’s going to look so good on the big screen. I really appreciated all the help and advice - it all fell into place perfectly.
“It really has been a very positive and refreshing experience filming in Argyll and Bute.”
This is the latest in a line of blockbuster movies to feature the area. It is estimated that £168,000 was spent bringing the production to Argyll, contributing to the overall £1.3m generated for the local economy by film production companies during 2017.
Leader of the council, Aileen Morton, says: “Argyll and Bute’s stunning natural landscape is one of our biggest assets. I’m delighted that major international studios are making the most of all it has to offer as the ideal set for all sorts of film productions.
“Being part of Jurassic World shows that we have the capacity and the locations to support large scale, high profile productions. I have seen the previous Jurassic movies and I’m looking forward to seeing this one – particularly since it’s filmed right on our doorstep.
“This really opens up Argyll and Bute to a global audience.”
Jenni Steele, Film and Creative Industries Manager at VisitScotland, said: “It’s fitting that one of the summer’s biggest blockbusting adventures should feature Argyll, Scotland’s own adventure coast. Loch Long’s appearance in Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom marks an exciting time for film tourism in Scotland.
“Major productions such as this not only boost the local economy in the short-term but can have long-lasting effects, with film fans seeking out the locations used.
“Scotland’s links to the prehistoric past stretch far beyond the cinema screen, however, from recently discovered dinosaur tracks on Skye to fossil-hunting on the Isle of Mull.”
You can see the trailer for Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom at http://bit.ly/2JsnzAm. Glen Mallan is featured at approximate 0.57 seconds.