SCENES from a Hollywood blockbuster movie with an all star cast are set to be shot at Inverness Airport in the next few weeks.
It is believed footage for the new Batman movie The Dark Knight Rises will be filmed at Dalcross after the airport entered into a contract with a film production company.
The cast includes Anne Hathaway, Christian Bale, Morgan Freeman and Michael Caine.
Bosses at the airport were remaining tightlipped about the deal and would not confirm who the contract is with and which movie will be getting filmed.
Inglis Lyon, managing director of Highlands and Islands Airport Limited, told the Highland News: "I can confirm we have entered into a contract with a film production company. It’s a relatively short contract which will earn the airport some money. I cannot say anymore than that."
But a film industry insider told the Highland News: "It’s certain that some scenes from the new Batman movie are getting shot at Inverness Airport. I believe it will be next month.
"I am not sure if any of the stars will be there, but I believe they are using the airport to shoot various aerial scenes. It is very exciting and great news for the area."
The Dark Knight Rises, directed by Christopher Nolan, has been filmed all over the world including Jodhpur in India and New York and Pittsburgh in America.
In March, the production team set up shop in London to shoot scenes which portray the Gotham City Police Station.
This is the third and final Batman movie for Nolan who also directed Batman Begins and The Dark Knight.
Christian Bale will reprise his role as the title character, while Sir Michael Caine is expected to again play Alfred the butler.
Anne Hathaway has been cast as Catwoman for the movie which will be released next year.
Trish Shorthouse from the Scottish Highlands and Islands Film Commission was unavailable for comment.
Scott Armstrong, VisitScotland’s regional director, said: "While we are unaware of any particular filming at Inverness Airport we do know film tourism is hugely important in terms of raising the profile of a country to other audiences.
"When captured on screen, Scotland’s locations and landscapes provide a stunning backdrop and can generate a positive impression of our country for viewers.
"They often garner the sort of publicity that ‘money can’t buy’, showcasing Scotland at its most spectacular on an international stage. One in five overseas visitors to the UK are inspired to visit by images they have seen in films and on TV."
In February the Highland News told how Pirates of the Caribbean star Johnny Depp was rumoured to begin filming a vampire thriller in the Highlands this summer.
Johnny Depp is to star in Dark Shadows, a revival of a 1960s TV supernatural series of the same name.
It’s not the first time blockbuster movies have been filmed in the region.
All of the Harry Potter movies have had location shooting in the region with the West Highland Railway Line’s Glenfinnan Viaduct becoming familiar to millions of Hogwarts fans.
At the start of the Harry Potter movie mania in 2003, a film-making entourage numbering 400 pumped over £1 million into the Lochaber economy. Over a period of three months, they filled up several hotels between Fort William and Oban.
Loch Ness, a 1996 family drama film starring Ted Danson and Joely Richardson, was also shot on location and the cast and crew of Braveheart spent six weeks shooting on location in the Highlands as did 1995 movie Rob Roy.
