Monday, 18 September 2023

Ask the question “What was the first film you saw at the pictures?” and most people can tell you. Even if the film title has been forgotten, the memories of that first visit will remain; the place, the people, the sweeties and being part of an audience for the very first time as the lights dim.

How many people can answer the question “ What was the first film you saw in a lorry?” My answer would be Whisky Galore next to the Tobermory distillery! The Screen Machine gives us a wonderful cinema experience in some of our most fantastic locations in Scotland - in sunshine and snow; the Torridon mountains, Loch Ness, Eilean Donan castle and Hebridean Island sunsets. There are not many cinemas where the scenery outside is as fabulous as the film locations inside!

The Screen Machine has been bringing film and cinema to communities throughout the Highlands and Islands, Argyll & Bute and North Ayrshire for 25 years and is much loved.

Now it is under threat. The current vehicle lease expires in April 2024 and a new vehicle needs to be commissioned with funding for 50 percent of the cost from the Scottish Government needed.

Why does it matter?

It brings communities together young and old. It is accessible and open to anyone wherever it visits. It provides films for us all to enjoy, but is so valuable in communities where there is no community cinema available. Subsidised ticket schemes make it affordable.

How can we help?

Regional Screen Scotland is asking the public to write to their MSP, MP, or councillor, and to the First Minister, cabinet secretaries and council leaders.

You can find more information here:- https://www.screenmachine.co.uk/screen-machine-is-turning-25-and-needs-your-help/

As a community, we could consider contributing towards fund-raising from our own community trust and/or by collaborating with other local community benefit funds to keep the Screen Machine on the road in our area and to support other communities across Scotland.

Julie Harvey

2026

February (2 stories)

3 February 📚 Mobile Library Visiting Tomorrow! 🚐✨

The Mobile Library is rolling into the area tomorrow, Wednesday 4th February, so pop along and say hello to Mark! Stop & time: • The Wildside Centre &ndash...

3 February RSABI Fundraising Event

Don't miss out on an incredible evening of music and laughter with the talented Farmers Choir performing in Aviemore late February in aid of RSABI and SAYFC.  ...

January (12 stories)

28 January Six Nations: Scotland 🆚 England LIVE at The Wildside

💘 This Valentine’s Day, find someone who loves you as much as you love rugby 🏉   We’re streaming Six Nations: Scotland 🆚 England LIVE at The Wil...

27 January 🌳 Development of Inverfarigaig Forest School 🌳

A community member has been in touch about the possibility of setting up a Forest School within our community. With the support of the Community Trust, a short survey has...

26 January 📚 Mobile Library Visiting Tomorrow! 🚐✨

The Mobile Library will be in the area tomorrow, Wednesday 27th January, so pop along and say hello to Mark!   📍 Stopping points & times: • Errogi...

22 January 🔥 Free Firewood Available – Whitebridge Area 🔥

A member of our local community, has been in touch with Stratherrick & Foyers Community Trust (SFCT) to let us know that he has a significant amount of larch firewood...

21 January Large grant application from BCC for Foyers Stores Acquisition - Update

A Board meeting is taking place this evening in order for Directors of SFCT to consider the application and agree their recommendation. As the Chair of SFCT explained at ...

20 January Thank you!

Thank you to everyone who came along to the public meeting at the Wildside last night. We had a fantastic turnout, with 110 people attending in person and 26 joining u...

19 January Agenda for Public Meeting - Regarding the Foyers Stores Acquisition

Please find the agenda for tonight’s public meeting at the Wildside Centre regarding the proposed community acquisition of Foyers Stores.   1. Welcome &n...

14 January Apply for our Project Coordinator role

👋 Friendly reminder!   There’s still time to apply for our Project Coordinator role at Stratherrick and Foyers Community Trust ...

8 January Notice to the Community: Change of Date for Public Meeting on Foyers Stores

Stratherrick and Foyers Community Trust (SFCT) would like to update the community regarding the previously announced public meeting relating to the proposed purchase of F...

7 January 🌟 New Year, New Opportunities! 🌟

Stratherrick & Foyers Community Trust is here to support your projects with our grants! 💡✨ 📅 Next application deadline: 21st March 2026 Learn more about ...

6 January 🎉 Calling all community organisers! 🎉

Do you run a class, group or one-off activity in one of the local buildings? We’d love to help spread the word! 💛 Our SFCT Community Calendar is looking a ...

6 January Mobile Library Visit Cancelled – Wednesday 7th January 2026

👋 Hello and welcome to 2026 from SFCT! 🎉 We bring news from the Mobile Library as our first update of the year. 📚 Mobile Library Visit Cancelled – Wednesday ...