Who was Paddy Higson? Icon dubbed the 'Mother of Scottish film' dies at 83 after cancer battle

Paddy Higson was a veteran film producer who was best known for her work on the 1981 cult classic Gregory's Girl. Higson, who was also known as the "mother of Scottish film," has died at 83 after a cancer battle. Her children, Michael, Chris, and Frances, announced the news of her death in a Facebook post, noting that Paddy died in Scotland,

"Yesterday evening our mum's battle with cancer reached its inevitable conclusion and she passed gently away surrounded by her family and so much love. 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."

They also added,

"We are heartbroken but find comfort knowing she is no longer suffering."

The tribute also promised to announce funeral arrangements later.

More about Paddy Higson

Paddy Higson started her career with the BBC in the 1970s as a production secretary before where she produced several episodes of Taggart, Monarch Of the Glen, and Cardiac Arrest.

Paddy gained recognition for her work with director Bill Forsyth in the Scottish film Greogry's Girl. She was presented with a Scottish BAFTA for her outstanding contribution to the Scottish film industry in 2018. David Hayman, while presenting the award called her "the mother of the Scottish film industry."

While speaking to GMAC about her work in 2019, Paddy looked back at her career and revealed,

"I got involved in film by accident, if you like. I was working at the BBC as a production secretary and the producer I was working for at the time got involved in doing some early television programmes. I went along as his assistant."

Paddy revealed that it was there where she met her husband, Patrick David Higson, who was a film editor. Patrick had a company with another film editor and director, Murray Grigor - Viz Ltd., and together they made documentary films for the Films of Scotland Organization. Paddy got involved in the organization of the company and eventually found her calling in films.

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Paddy Higson was awarded the OBE (Officer of the Order of the British Empire) in the 2023 King's New Year's Honours List for her services to the Film and Television Industry and Diversity and Inclusion in Film and Television.

After retiring from the films, Paddy Higson began working at the Glasgow Media Access Centre (GMAC), where she contributed to the popular children's show Katie Morag. She also went on to create several schemes to help other young people enter the industry.

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