Outlander filming has had 'huge detrimental' impact on West Fife village residents

The impact of filming on West Fife villages, including Culross, where parts of Outlander were filmed, is to be looked into.

West Fife villages councillor Sam Steele has called for a probe following “repeated issues” which are affecting residents in places like Culross.

Speaking at the South and West Fife Area Committee, Cllr Steele said she was keen to explore what can be done to allay existing concerns.

“I would like to request a report to ask the assessment of the impact of filming in the South West Fife area, especially regarding the consultation process, not just for services and officers, but with the community, community councils and elected members,” she said.

Issues over parking – and even residents being unable to leave their houses – in Culross have previously been raised, and it is hoped the report will also cover adherence by film companies to the Fife and Tayside production code.

Cllr Steele added: “This has been brought about by the repeated issues arising in Culross, and the huge detrimental impact on residents and businesses in the village.”

Committee convener, councillor David Barratt, agreed that the situation should be looked at.

“It is something I have been aware of and we are not really that well briefed on how it works or how it maybe should work,” he said.

“There is filming regularly in North Queensferry, and North Queensferry Community Council are always very good at extracting a bit of money from the film companies, so I think there are lessons to be learned there in terms of how communities can engage.

“I know there was an issue recently where that engagement simply didn’t happen, and residents were stuck in their houses, which really is not on.”

Rosyth councillor Brian Goodall added: “It is an issue for the Dunfermline committee as well. I know recently the Sports Council had to be cancelled because the Music Institute was being used for filming for the Outlander prequels that they are filming at the moment.

“It seems to be happening all over the shop.”