Filmgoers are set to descend on Scone Palace for a special screening of “Belle” before its official release on the 13th of June.
“Belle” captures the story of Dido Elizabeth Belle who was the illegitimate child of a British Naval officer and a slave, and the film has been inspired by the only surviving portrait of her which hangs in Scone Palace.
Murdo Fraser is due to attend the special screening and has lodged a motion in Parliament welcoming its launch.
Commenting before the screening Murdo Fraser MSP said:
“Just as the James Bond blockbuster Skyfall brought thousands of new visitors to Glencoe, ‘Belle’ has the potential to do the same for Scone palace.
“Movie tourism has real potential for Scotland and a fifth of all people that come here are inspired to do so after seeing Scotland in film or on television. Visit Scotland and the Scottish Government must continue to work hard to attract filmmakers to Scotland and it is important that tourism businesses make the most of these opportunities.
“Thanks to the release of ‘Belle’, Scone Palace is launching a new exhibition about her life, which in turn will encourage more people to explore the wonders of Scone Palace and Perthshire.”