Scottish Enterprise Dunbartonshire Lomond Shores presents the Principal Large Format 38-minute giant screen drama Legend of Loch Lomond at [Theatre]. The motion picture, the first applauded example of dramatic story-telling on the giant screen, weaves Rob Roy-like battles and love scenes together as it tells the little known Scottish legend behind the famous haunting song Loch Lomond “Ye’ll tak the high road and I’ll tak the low road…”
“Some places are so powerful, that they inspire songs. In Scotland the land itself seems to sing rebel songs of the Highland clans, rhythms for work in the lowland glens, a harmony of landscape and life, songs of the islands sung to the skies, laments for loved ones lost at sea and ballads for those who wait.” says Sallyann Ferguson, Project Manager for Scottish Enterprise Dunbartonshire Lomond Shores, the company that commissioned the film for their Lomond Shores Visitor Center.
The film features a fantastic wide-angle view straight up Loch Lomond, with water from side to side across the horizon and Ben Lomond, filling the top of the screen. The natural beauty of Scotland’s first national park is spectacular on the giant screen. This well-told and emotionally engaging action love story stars Mhairi (Kristy Mitchell), a beautiful young singer who goes back in time to reunite two ghostly lovers from eighteenth century Scotland. The adventure teaches her a lesson about love, trust and her own precious Scottish heritage.
Kirsty Mitchell, who co-stars with Robert Duvall and Michael Keaton in a new motion picture soon to be released) is transported in a Mistgate back in time to reunite the ghosts of two 18th Century lovers (Paul Blair and Fiona Bell) separated by centuries. The lyrics of the traditional Loch Lomond song reveal the mystery behind an exhilarating tale of love.
Interwoven with battles, majestic scenery of the area surrounding Loch Lomond, castles, kilted 18th century Highlanders and a 21st century female rock band. As the young beautiful singer goes back into time, her adventure teaches her a lesson about love, trust and her own precious Scottish heritage.
Director Mike Slee (Wildfire – Feel the Heat) captures with the aid of cinematographer, the highly acclaimed Rodney Taylor (large format film credits include Alaska: Spirit of the Wild, Wildfire – Feel the Heat, Michael Jordan to the MAX and Amazing Journeys) the beauty, mystery and magic of Scotland and it’s people. Composer, John Lunn (recent scores include The Cormorant, Beatrix and Getting Hurt, and Babymother) has updated the classic song Loch Lomond specifically for the film. The song is injected with a modern flare that is attracting audiences of all ages.
In 1745, during the retreat of the Scottish army from England, as legend has it, several of the wounded Scots were left behind, as they could struggle no further. Many fell into the hands of the English and were sent to jail. One young Scottish soldier, Allan (Paul Blair) wrote the song to his sweetheart. Allan had been captured along with his friend, McCrimmon (Stuart Sinclair-Blyth) and both were to be executed. McCrimmon was to be set free so that he could warn others about the price of rebellion. Allan had entrusted to him a message to give to his sweetheart Moira (Fiona Bell), but McCrimmon was killed before that message ever reached her. The legend contends that Moira was still waiting for him to return to the glen where they first met.
The film’s impressive scenery provides the most breathtaking backdrop to the mystical tale. The film was shot entirely on location for more reasons than to add to the film’s credibility. The giant screen can often be cruel to anything shot in the studio; this film’s glorious background gives the film ambiance and depth that would otherwise be absent from the film. The location provides a sense of history that only this luscious area could provide.
The film was produced by Principal Large Format for Scottish Enterprise Dunbartonshire, Lomond Shores. Situated within the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park, Lomond Shores will open in Scotland in Spring 2002. Legend of Loch Lomond will show in an iconic visitor attraction on the banks of Loch Lomond. The film’s worldwide distributor is Toronto based SK Films Inc. Legend of Loch Lomond is available in both 1570 and 870 formats for giant screen theatres.
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