High School Musical star Vanessa Hudgens filming in East Lothian

Filming for the movie The Princess Switch 3 is now underway, with some scenes shot on the Gosford Estate, by Longniddry, before Christmas.

The cast and crew have also been spotted recently in Midlothian, at Newbattle Abbey College in Dalkeith; the former monastery was transformed into a winter wonderland, with fake snow, a nativity scene and fir trees.

Scotland is a popular location for the film franchise, with several parts of Edinburgh and local dancers and schoolchildren also all featuring in the previous movies.

Vanessa Hudgens has been sharing images of her enjoying her time in Edinburgh inside her luxury hotel room, she is here filming a movie. Image Instagram

The film stars Vanessa Hudgens, who played Gabriella Montez in Disney’s worldwide smash High School Musical; she plays both a talented baker and a duchess who look exactly the same and who swap lives.

Filming is taking place on private estates to keep cast and crew away from congested areas, due to the coronavirus pandemic.

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The filming of movies and television shows has been given the green light by the Scottish Government to continue through lockdown, but all cast and crew must follow sector guidelines, which include keeping away from members of the public.

Current coronavirus guidelines also include enhanced mask wearing.

Vanessa Hudgens has been sharing images of her enjoying her time in Edinburgh inside her luxury hotel room, she is here filming a movie. Image Instagram

Vanessa is not residing in East Lothian during her time in Scotland, though. . . she has been staying in a luxury suite at The Balmoral hotel in Edinburgh.

The first Princess Switch film was released in 2018; the second in November last year.

It is thought this new addition to the franchise will be released on Netflix this Christmas.