Paddy Higson – ‘mother of Scottish film’ – dies aged 83
She was a Scottish film legend.
Paddy Higson, who many consider to be the ‘mother of Scottish film,’ has died at the age of 83 following a cancer diagnosis.
She was known for her trailblazing work in Scottish cinema, mainly as a producer and editor, and worked on countless films throughout her long career.
She’s well known for her influential work with the director Bill Forsyth, with whom she made the 1981 cult classic Gregory’s Girl, among other films.
In a post on social media, her family said she had been surrounded ‘by so much love’ at the time of her passing in Scotland.
Her children wrote: ‘Not only have the three of us lost our amazing and extraordinary mother, we as a wider community have lost a kind and generous, supportive and selfless pioneer.
‘We are heartbroken but find comfort in knowing she is no longer suffering.’
Higson had an enormous impact on the Scottish film industry (Picture: Carlo Paloni/BAFTA via Getty Images)Higson began her career with the BBC in the 1970s as a production secretary before working hard to move up the ranks, eventually becoming one of the first female film producers to really make waves in the country.
She often worked with Forsyth and Peter Mullan, making films including The Magdalene Sister and Orphans, among other notable works that depicted Scottish culture.
She’s also known for her talent in producing pivotal episodes of Taggart, Monarch of the Glen, and Cardiac Arrest.
She was awarded the OBE (Officer of the Order of the British Empire) in the 2023 King’s New Years Honours List for her services to the Film and Television Industry and to Diversity and Inclusion in Film and Television.
She was formerly the patron and CEO of Media Access Centre (GMAC Film) in Glasgow, Scotland, leaving behind a long legacy of increased inclusion.
In 2018, Hayman presented her with a Scottish Bafta for for her outstanding contribution to the Scottish film industry, calling her ‘the mother of Scottish film’ in his intro.
Increased representation in the film industry was always vital to Paddy’s work.
In an interview in 2022, Paddy said of the current state of the Scottish film industry: ‘Much more difficult. Like most other things in the world at the moment, everything seems to be more polarised. You either have the very low budget end of the market and settle for that or you do short films and hope to be able to get funding for a feature.’
That’s one of the reasons I’m here at GMAC. Right from the ‘70s I’ve been involved in training and bringing new people into the business. Of the television stuff I’ve done, for a lot of it I’ve been able to use first-time directors and writers.’
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