Creative arts take centre stage

The film Trainspotting was set in Scotland

A major programme to develop the creative arts and media industry in Scotland could create up to 2,000 jobs, it has been predicted.

The £25m project will see two centres of creative excellence set up in Glasgow and Tayside.

Speaking at the launch of the strategy, Enterprise Minister Henry McLeish said the plan would see the sector grow by 30% within five years.

The industry - which includes film and television, computer games, publishing, music and architecture - is already an important part of the Scottish economy.

It is estimated to be worth about £5bn a year in Scotland and employs some 100,000 people.

Henry McLeish: "Scotland has huge talent"

The projects which will be supported include the development of a digital media centre at Pacific Quay in Glasgow and a creative industries campus in Tayside.

For the first time, the sector will have its own international marketing strategy, with offices in London and New York.

And in a development borrowed from the electronics industry, an electronic trading network for intellectual property rights will be established.

Mr McLeish said: "Scotland has many very talented people working in the creative industries.

"We must look to harness their ideas and experience in tandem with this strategy to encourage young people to pursue a career in design, film, games, music and the many other creative industries.

Gillian Anderson came to Glasgow to film

"We have been presented with a great opportunity to exploit the rapid changes in technology and advances in media communications and carve out a niche for Scotland as the creative industries hub of Europe."

John Archer, from Scottish Screen, said the move was very much a change of direction for Scottish Enterprise.

He added: "Other money could be identified in the future, but it is now up to the private sector to make a move.

"There has been a tremendous sea change here, with the knowledge and creative industries being right up there in Scotland."

Digital media growth

Scottish Enterprise figures have already suggested that the digital media will grow at 20% per year between now and 2007.

Earlier this year a brochure was launched highlighting Scotland's attractions to film-makers.

The Scottish film locations brochure promotes the country as a venue for films by highlighting its facilities, infrastructure, scenery and workforce.

And a website for the sector - called creativescotland.com - has also been launched.

Among the films made in Scotland last year were the Edith Wharton adaptation House of Mirth, starring Gillian Anderson, and Robert Duvall's football film The Cup.