Published on : Friday, June 13, 2014
The director of a new film inspired by a painting in Scone Palace hopes the movie can help boost tourism in Perthshire.
Amma Asante, who is in Perth today for a special screening of Belle ahead of its nationwide release tomorrow (Friday 13 June), said: “I am delighted that this film can hopefully play a role in encouraging audiences worldwide to visit Scotland and Scone Palace to discover the rich history behind the man who raised Dido Elizabeth Belle.”
The film, which stars Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Tom Wilkinson and Miranda Richardson, tells the story of the mixed race daughter of a slave and a British admiral.
The only Dido Belle portrait known to exist hangs in the Ambassador’s Room at Scone Palace, which is currently running an exhibition entitled ‘Dido Belle – Her Story’ to coincide with the film’s release.
Malcolm Roughead, Chief Executive of VisitScotland, said: “It’s always great news for our tourism industry when there’s a strong Scottish connection to a movie.
Scone Palace has seized the fantastic opportunity this film represents with a new exhibition, which in turn will encourage people to explore the wonders of Scone Palace and Perthshire in general.
“Film tourism, where people visit locations and other destinations associated with the movies, is a growing trend – with a fifth of all people that come to Scotland inspired to come here after seeing it in films or on television – and it is important that tourism businesses make the most of every opportunity that comes their way.”
Amma Asante added: “I am extremely happy to be attending the Scottish premiere of this film at the invitation of Lord and Lady Stormont and the Hon William Murray.
I am honoured to be visiting Perth, Lord Mansfield’s birthplace, and home of the extraordinary painting that inspired me to make this film.”
Dido Belle was born in the 18th Century to Sir John Lindsay, nephew of the 1st Earl of Mansfield, and the African slave Maria Belle.
She was brought up under the care and protection of the 1st Earl of Mansfield, who was the Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales and whose family home was at Scone Palace.
The Hon William Murray, Master of Stormont and grandson of the current Earl of Mansfield, said: “We are tremendously excited that the film is premiering here in Perth and hope that the interest in the film, both nationally and internationally, will bring a boost to Scottish Tourism.”
Tags: scottish tourism, VisitScotland
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