Minds of Glass at Tarbert Film Club

Posted on May 7, 2012 by newsroom

Following the success of a similar ‘Meet the Filmmaker’ event last November, Continue reading →

Screen Machine brings Gigha to Gigha for 10th anniversary

Posted on March 13, 2012 by newsroom

Ten years ago this Thursday, on 15th March 2002, the island residents Continue reading →

Dame Judi Dench namechecks Isle of Eriska Hotel

Posted on February 24, 2012 by newsroom

Some endorsements really carry clout. On STV’s Moviejuice tonight, Continue reading →

BBC Countryfile: a stunning commercial for Kintyre Express

Posted on November 27, 2011 by newsroom

BBC One’s Countryfile tonight (27th November 2011) explored the north coast of Northern Ireland – by sea kayak. Continue reading →

Ardanaseig Hotel restaurant wins third AA rosette

Posted on October 23, 2010 by newsroom

Today (Saturday 23rd October 2010) Tourism Minister, Jim Mather, recognised further success for outstanding tourism businesses committed to promoting the best of Scotland, including high quality Scottish food and drink.

During a visit to the Ardanaiseig Hotel by Loch Awe, Mr Mather congratulated staff on gaining a series of recent awards and accolades for the hotel and its loch-side restaurant.

The restaurant won a third AA rosette last month, placing it among the top ten per cent of restaurants accredited by the UK-wide scheme; and in October’s edition of Condé Nast Traveller, readers put Ardanaiseig among the top three leisure hotel in the UK, their favourite in Scotland; and ranked the hotel 61st in the World’s Overall Travel Top 100 list.

Others recognised by readers of Condé Nast Traveller include the Isle of Skye; golf resorts The Old Course, Turnberry and Gleneagles; Edinburgh’s Balmoral Hotel and Culloden House in Inverness.

During a celebration event, Mr Mather and VisitScotland’s Regional Director David Adams McGilp, congratulated the Scottish tourism businesses that have been singled out for acclaim; and thanked hotel manager Peter Webster and Medaille d’Or winning head chef, Gary Goldie, for their commitment to sourcing, cooking and serving Scottish produce in line with the industry’s shared focus on Scotland’s food and drink.

Tourism Minister Jim Mather said:

“This business – in a wonderfully secluded yet accessible setting – places authentic, high-quality food and drink at the core of the exceptional welcome it extends to visitors. By championing Scottish produce the hotel is supporting the whole tourism sector’s shared drive to give visitors an authentic taste of what Scotland has to offer.

“I am delighted to congratulate all those across Scottish tourism who have been highlighted as being among the best in the world; and also to hear about the important contribution their efforts are making to supporting local communities and strengthening Scotland’s economy.”

Ardanaiseig Hotel Manager Peter Webster said:
“Our magical atmosphere, breathtaking Highland setting and delicious food and drink draw people back time and again. From our bread to our chocolates, everything we make is fresh. We only use the best produce, including herbs, vegetables and fruit from our own gardens. The game and seafood available locally is first rate and we take full advantage of that too.”
“We are proud – indeed bursting with pride to have received such positive recent recognition. A crucially important part of this success flows from the people of Argyll. Indeed it is only by working in close and creative partnership with the local community and with local businesses that the hotel can go on to realise its true potential and make its full contribution to the local economy.”

First Minister announces funding for Film G’s Gaelic shorts

Posted on August 27, 2010 by newsroom

And we’re not talking boxers here – or only if they’re Gaelic speaking pugilists.

Alex Salmond, visiting today (27th August) the inspiring and wonderfully located Gaelic College on Skye, Sabhal Mor Ostaig, announced funding to help train aspiring film-makers.

The First Minister ‘confirmed’ (Aha – is this a version of Wendy Alexander’s infamous re-announcements? The word ‘confirmed’ is suspicious) £10,000 Scottish Government funding and £15,000 from Bòrd na Gàidhlig to support skills training for entrants to the Gaelic language short-film competition, FilmG.

He was specifically visiting Cànan, the Gaelic language creative multimedia company based at the mouthwatering Fas Centre at Sabhal Mor Ostaig and delivering the competition awards.

Diversion

Before we move on, we have a funny anecdote about Canan, Sabhal Mor Ostaig and the BBC HQ in London. Back in 2003, some of us, i an earlier incarnation, were involved in running a film and media conference there (in English – sorry). In the publicity work we were ding we had journalists from some BBC Radio arts programmes coming to Skye to interview some of the paticipants, from London-based Tiger Aspect, Dundee-based computer games creatives, Caithness’s Grey Coast Theatre Company and Canan.

We hgad suggested the spectrum of intervieees to the Beeb, including Canan’s CEO, Donella Beaton. We got an email reply confirming their interest but referring to Donatella Beaton. They then had a sense of humour failure when we made a crack about London fashionistas not seeing beyond the catwalk.

Film G, the film shorts competition, skills training and the money

FilmG was launched by MG ALBA, the Gaelic Media Service, in 2008. It was aimed at discovering new talent for development on the Gaelic digital channel, BBC ALBA and to produce significant new Gaelic content for the web.

The competition, now in its third year, has attracted more than 100 Gaelic films its first two years, all of which are available for viewing online. The competition includes training in production, scriptwriting, directing, camera, sound, editing and Gaelic.

Mr Salmond said: ‘I’m pleased to be at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig again to meet the college’s senior management and delighted to hear of the positive impact FilmG is having and the opportunities that the competition is creating.

‘The Scottish Government is committed to increasing the number of Gaelic speakers, enhancing the place of Gaelic education, improving the status of the language across Scotland and supporting Gaelic-speaking communities. Sabhal Mòr Ostaig plays a key role in helping us meet our objectives – promoting Gaelic language and culture, making a distinctive contribution to further and higher education in Scotland, revitalising the rural economy of Skye and forming important international links.

‘The Scottish Government is also a strong supporter of MG ALBA. The FilmG Awards is a tremendous initiative that in its first two years has already inspired many talented and creative people in Scotland. The competition provides exciting opportunities for entrants to take their first few steps towards a career in the screen industries. I’m delighted to announce £25,000 funding from the Scottish Government and Bòrd na Gàidhlig to support the training of those taking part in this year’s FilmG Awards.”

Alasdair Morrison, Chairman of MG ALBA, said: ‘FilmG has unlocked a whole new area of creative talent among Gaelic speakers of all ages. We are delighted that the project has the support of the Scottish Government and Bòrd na Gàidhlig, as well as the continued support from Highlands and Islands Enterprise and many other organisations, and we look forward to seeing this year’s crop of new films in December when they come available online’.

Arthur Cormack, Cathraiche of Bòrd na Gàidhlig, said: ‘Bòrd na Gàidhlig is delighted to support FilmG once more. The Bòrd’s Action Plan to increase numbers of Gaelic speakers, Ginealach Ùr na Gàidhlig, calls for opportunities for young people, particularly those in Gaelic medium education, to use Gaelic in a creative way and build up positive associations with the language outside the classroom. Participation in FilmG is one way in which this can be realised and we wish it continued success’.

Donella Beaton, Chief Executive of Cànan (see above under Diversion), said: ’108 Gaelic films have been made through FilmG and over 300 people have participated in training so far. Today’s announcement will allow us to expand our adult training programme and support more than 20 schools throughout Scotland. The quality of the films received show that the money is well spent’.

You can enter if you don’t speak Gaelic – yet

This year’s FilmG theme is ‘Làmh an Uachdar’ (‘The Upper Hand’) and both Gaelic and non-Gaelic speaking entrants are being encourage to take part to showcase their creative talent on screen. FilmG can offer additional opportunities in the Gaelic digital media industry if successful, with the first winner of the competition having had his short production shown at international film festivals throughout the world.

More information is on the FilmG website.