Unique première for South Uist

A unique film ‘Pìobairean Bhòrnais’ (The Pipers of Bornish) will be shown for the very first time in South Uist at the start of July.
In the film, which is described as a “moving oil painting” a young boy gets the gift of piping from a sinister fairy.
The director, Catrìona Black, spent over 18-months making the short film, and she will be present in Kildonan for the première along with John Alick Macpherson, Deputy Director of the CCG (Gaelic Broadcasting Committee).
In Edinburgh to announce the premiere, Catrìona Black said: “This event is really important to me. I gave up my full-time job at the National Galleries to make this film, I spent more than a year-and-a-half painting the 7,500 pictures that were needed, and I hope I’ve made a film that is as Gaidhealach as possible. I used a tape of Donald John Stewart from Stilligarry as the soundtrack, and the whole story is set in South Uist, from Bornish to Daliburgh. I did my best to paint a faithful picture of the area, and by far the most important audience as far as I’m concerned is the locals themselves.
“The main thing I’m trying to get across is that the stories of our forefathers are as potent today as they ever were.”
Black added that the film is scheduled to go out as a ten-minute programme on the BBC this autumn.
John Alick Macpherson said the CCG was delighted to support the project and were grateful to Scottish Screen for their help.
He said: “We are proud of the fruit of Catrìona’s labours. Animation is a rare skill. Not only can Catrìona animate but she has combined this art with Gaelic storytelling and pipe music in an extremely creative and appealing way. This is a mature work of art and Catrìona deserves praise for making such an interesting and accomplished project happen.”
The film will be screened at 6pm on Wednesday 9 July at Kildonan Museum as part of Ceòlas. The event is free and refreshments will be available.
Funded by Comataidh Craolaidh Gàidhlig (CCG) and The Scottish Screen National Lottery Fund, further information on the film is available at www.ambocsa.co.uk
(SP)