Outlander Star Sparks Controversy Over Shotts Comment
The lead actress of the acclaimed television series Outlander has provoked discontent in the North Lanarkshire town of Shotts after describing it as "an armpit."
Caitriona Balfe, known for her role as Clare Randall in the widely popular time-travel romantic drama, made the remark while responding to questions alongside her co-star Sam Heughan.
Residents of Shotts expressed to BBC Scotland News that the characterization was offensive and did not represent the community accurately.
Outlander, which concluded earlier this year, centered on the relationship between Balfe's character, a present-day nurse, and Heughan's portrayal of Jacobite Jamie Fraser.
The series has been credited with enhancing tourism in Scotland, but Balfe's recent comments may deter visitors from considering Shotts as a destination.
When asked about the least favorable filming location during the show's eight seasons, the Irish actress responded:
"We filmed at a place in season eight... I think it's called Shotts. An armpit - very sorry."
Following this, Heughan, who hails from Dumfries and Galloway, added in jest:
"Sorry Scotland"
Local Reaction and Community Response
Margaret McSeveney, chairperson of the Spotlight Shotts community group, conveyed to BBC Scotland News that the dismissive comment was hurtful to the town's residents.
She stated:
"I was a bit horrified. It's a pity someone has come out based on one experience and blanketed the whole town.
It is hurtful. Support from influential people like Ms Balfe can really lift up a community, but cheap criticism does not do much for places that are already undervalued and underfunded.
There are a lot of good things about Shotts, it's produced a lot of good people and it's a great community where people look out for each other. There has just been a lack of investment since some major employers have left."
The Daily Record reported that filming in Shotts took place in a factory unit within the town.
However, a source indicated that the production faced disruptions caused by groups of youths who stole a quad bike and set it on fire.
Additionally, the production encountered difficulties due to the ground conditions being impenetrable.
Community Initiatives and Further Comments
The Spotlight Shotts group is actively involved in restoring the town's historic Henderson Theatre and aims to enhance arts and culture locally.
McSeveney elaborated:
"The problem has always been having constructive activities for young people.
That's what we are trying to provide with things like a youth theatre, and creating something different for young people with drama classes.
Maybe Ms Balfe would have been interested in that if she'd known about it."
According to The Daily Record, former Shotts MSP Alex Neil suggested that Balfe should revisit the town and be given a proper tour.
He commented:
"I think she's pretty ignorant of what Shotts is really like and I'm happy to enlighten her.
Far from being the 'armpit' - which suggests the place stinks - the people are actually lovely people in Shotts. She is probably totally ignorant of its history."
Requests for comment from Balfe's agent and publicist were made by BBC Scotland but no response was received.
