Scarlett Johansson's sci-fi film Under The Skin touches down at Auchmithie

A crew of more than 70 descended on Auchmithie, just outside Arbroath, on Monday for the first of five days of shooting for sci-fi film Under the Skin.
The production team had been keen to keep a lid on the rural location for as long as possible, with locals asked not to give away any details of the A-lister's presence in the run-up to this week.

Despite one of the world's most famous celebrities arriving in the village, there were no crowds or fans to be seen and preparations were described by staff as low key.

Producer James Wilson said Auchmithie was chosen purely because of the backdrop its picturesque, but rugged harbour could provide.

He added: ''The story is set in Scotland and we really just needed a setting with certain characteristics. This one was right.

''It is small independent film produced by Film Four, the BFI and Creative Scotland.''

Shooting for the movie has already been carried out in Glasgow and Mr Wilson said working with Ms Johansson had been a great experience.

He said: ''She has done a mix of movies in the past from the independent films to the big Hollywood films. It has been great so far.

''This is essentially a road movie that has a sci-fi element to it. I would say it is part road movie, part sci-fi and part real — a lot of what has appeared on the internet about it so far is not accurate.''

A large proportion of the team will be staying in the local area for the duration of the shoot and filming will continue regardless of whatever the weather brings.

Mr Wilson said: ''We can cope with most sorts of weather. It is not an issue unless we get a blizzard or other serious conditions that would stop us from filming.''

A path leading down to the beach through a gap in the coastal cliffs has been closed to the public, with the entire harbour area sealed off for filming.

Tents to shelter the cameras were set up from early in the morning, alongside two battered old sheds near the shore front.

Hundreds of metres of cables stretched down from street level and around 30 of the crew ran equipment back and forward to the beach during the day.

Prior to filming, Angus Council gave permission for the dilapidated single-lane track leading from the village to the beach to be upgraded, to allow access for pedestrians and vehicles.

The company drawing the logistics together, Seventh Kingdom Productions, is also understood to have paid for painting of the public toilets in the village.

Directed by Jonathan Glazer, Under the Skin is based on the 2000 novel of the same name by Scottish-based writer Michel Faber, where Ms Johansson's alien character seduces hitchhikers before seeing them fattened and killed for consumption on her home planet.

The 26-year-old superstar has already filmed scenes in the Buchanan Galleries shopping centre in Glasgow and at a petrol station in Newmains, North Lanarkshire.

Angus Horn, who runs the only business in the village — the But 'n' Ben restaurant, said he was hoping the film would put Auchmithie on the map for something beside its famous smokies.