Paddy Higson obituary: A pioneering, prolific producer of Scottish film and TV
The “mother of the Scottish film industry” played a key role in hits such as Gregory’s Girl, Taggart and Monarch of the Glen before dedicating herself to mentoring through Glasgow’s GMAC Film.
Paddy Higson, a towering figure in Scottish film and television, has passed away at the age of 83. Her remarkable career as a producer left an indelible mark on the industry – a legacy that cannot be overstated.
Higson’s journey in film began at the BBC in the early 1970s, where she met her future husband, editor Patrick Higson. Together, they became involved in documentary filmmaking through the Films of Scotland committee, founded by pioneering documentarian John Grierson. In a predominantly male industry, mostly decided in the pubs of Woodlands Road, she carved out a place alongside influential figures such as Bill Forsyth, Charlie Gormley, and Murray Grigor.
With Bill Forsyth, Higson played a crucial behind-the-scenes role in the creation of That Sinking Feeling (1979), a film that energised a golden era of home-grown Scottish cinema. Their collaboration continued with Gregory’s Girl (1980) and Comfort and Joy (1984). Beyond Forsyth, she also produced other notable features such as Living Apart Together (1982), Restless Natives (1985), Silent Scream (1990), Orphans (1998), and The Magdalene Sisters (2002), directed by Peter Mullan.
And that was just on the big screen. Higson was even more prolific as a producer in television, where her influence and skill was equally profound and valued on series such as Taggart and Monarch of the Glen.
Later in her career, she became CEO of GMAC Film in Glasgow, dedicating herself to mentoring emerging talent and championing a diverse, inclusive, and accessible Scottish screen industry. That same year, she received a Scottish BAFTA for Outstanding Contribution to the Film Industry, presented by actor David Hayman, who called her “the mother of the Scottish film industry.”
Ask anyone who had the privilege of working with Paddy, myself included, and they’ll tell you the tribute couldn’t have been more fitting. Paddy Higson is remembered not only for her pioneering work as a Producer but for her kindness, generosity, and unwavering belief in the people she collaborated with.
• Paddy Higson June 1941 – 15 April 2025