Isle of Lewis residents treated to special film screening

Locals on Lewis were treated to a special screening of The Road Dance – the movie shot and set on the island.

Taking place at the beginning of World War 1, the story is inspired by the true tale of Kirsty Macleod’s love and loss, as originally told in a book written by STV News anchor, John MacKay.

Returning to the Island his family are originally from and where he spent all of his summer holidays as a boy; John said: “This is the landscape and the people that inspired The Road Dance so to bring it back here and let the local community see it, before most other people have seen it, is thrilling. Absolutely thrilling.”

Over 70 members of cast and crew descended on the Isle of Lewis in 2020 to create the film, which was largely shot in the historic Gearrannan Blackhouse Village.

Iain Macarthur, director of Gearrannan told STV News: “It all happened in the lockdown year so we had literally no income coming in and they had the place to themselves and we got a bit of money out of it so all round, it was really good.”

Jenni Steele from Visit Scotland believes seeing the striking, rugged landscape of Lewis in The Road Dance, will also be positive for tourism.

“When films shoot on locations like this, you see the real landscapes and scenery on the big screen which is an advert for Scotland that money can’t buy,” she said.

Gearrannan Blackhouse is actually a real location which has its own fantastic history and story of its own, so it’s a perfect place for people to come and explore.”

The film will be in cinemas on May 20 but if you’re looking for early reviews, those who saw it on Lewis said it was “really good and very moving”, while another said she had been “howling – it was just beautiful.”

Indeed, many had tears in their eyes as they left the community hall screening, but none more so than John MacKay’s auntie Ina, who said: “I thoroughly enjoyed it. I’m very proud, very proud indeed.”