A NEW film starring Timothy Spall sees his character travel all the way from John O’Groats to Land’s End, even though the cast and crew never left Scotland during production.
Gillies MacKinnon’s The Last Bus was filmed around Scotland from October to November 2019 and will be released on Friday.
The Last Bus tells the story of 90-year-old Tom Harper, played by Spall, who travels 874 miles from Scotland’s most northerly point to England’s most southerly point using his bus pass following the death of his wife.
The majority of filming was done in Glasgow, including at the Glasgow Vintage Vehicle Trust’s Bridgeton Bus Garage on Fordneuk Street. The exterior of the garage was used for bus stops and depots, while sets were built on the interior of the centre.
The Last Bus director, Gillies MacKinnon, at the Glasgow Vintage Vehicle Trust
Summerlee Museum of Scottish Industrial Life, Dunure on the Ayrshire coast, Hunterston House in West Kilbride and Touch Estate near Stirling were also used in the film, alongside scenic shots of the Borders, Argyll and Highlands.
Jennie Steele, Visit Scotland’s film and creative industries manager, said: “Big and small screen productions have always played their part in attracting visitors to locations across Scotland and it’s wonderful to have the Glasgow Vintage Vehicle Trust play a role in the production of this life-affirming and poignant tale.
“Films shot in Scotland not only boost the local economy during production but are a shop window for the country’s amazing landscapes. They provide an opportunity to promote regions across the seasons and the long-term impact allows for investment and product development to take place which enables sustainable growth in tourism.”
Meanwhile a 19-year-old Glasgow busker is over the moon after her songs were chosen to appear on the soundtrack of the film.
Caitlin Agnew (above) said she was “in shock” after songs written in her bedroom were given the go-ahead for use, after a chance meeting between her grandfather and director MacKinnon.
“When I heard Timothy Spall liked my songs and they wanted to use them in the film I was in shock. It was like seeing my life flash before my eyes,” she said.
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