In a cinematic bid to preserve access to the silver screen for Scotland’s most remote communities, Regional Screen Scotland has launched a Crowdfunder campaign to raise £100,000, aiming to secure the future of its beloved Screen Machine. This mobile cinema service, which has provided a vital link to popular culture for over 26 years, now finds itself at a critical crossroads, needing a new, state-of-the-art vehicle to continue its mission.
Screen Machine is no ordinary cinema. It is an 80-seat, air-conditioned mobile filmhouse, travelling thousands of miles each year by lorry—and often ferry—to deliver the magic of cinema to some of Scotland’s most isolated areas. For those living in the Highlands and on far-flung islands, where the nearest cinema can be hundreds of miles away, Screen Machine has been a lifeline, bringing communities together and offering an exhilarating escape through film.
However, the service is under threat. The current vehicle is a temporary replacement, hastily brought in after the original machine finally broke down after years of loyal service. But this hired vehicle is far from ideal—it’s too costly, doesn’t fit on every ferry, and lacks the reliability needed to serve all communities. Without a new, purpose-built machine, many of these remote areas could lose their only access to the big screen, depriving thousands of people of an experience most take for granted.
To highlight the urgency of the situation, Regional Screen Scotland has teamed up with the global digital technology company Collective and Hollywood actor Alan Cumming to create a stirring short film. The 60-second video, narrated by Cumming, showcases the Screen Machine’s journey through Scotland’s breathtaking landscapes, juxtaposing the grandeur of Hollywood with the small villages and towns it serves. In a dramatic homage to The Italian Job, the film ends with the Screen Machine precariously perched on the edge of a cliff, symbolising the precarious state of its future.
Set to the music of Scottish indie-folk band Tide Lines, the film aims to rally support for the campaign, which seeks to raise an initial £100,000. This sum is intended to demonstrate to the Scottish Government the public’s commitment to preserving this unique service, in the hope of securing the additional £1.7 million needed to fund a new vehicle. The campaign’s success could mean the difference between continued access to cinema for Scotland’s remote communities or the loss of a cherished cultural resource.
Simon Drysdale, Interim Chief Executive Officer of Regional Screen Scotland, emphasised the importance of the Screen Machine, stating, “The popularity of the Screen Machine mobile cinema service is beyond doubt. Over the summer, we’ve seen excellent numbers of customers come along to enjoy the big screen experience in their local communities. But what is very much in doubt is the future of the service. Today’s launch of a campaign to raise £100k from customers and supporters is intended to push potential major funders, including the Scottish Government, into action before this precious resource is lost.”
The Screen Machine’s impact is significant. Serving over 34,000 people across 44 communities—half of which are on islands—the service sells approximately 21,000 tickets each year, providing an essential link to popular culture and offering a positive boost to mental health in areas where social activities can be limited. The cinema travels over 9,000 miles annually, not including ferry journeys, with a new vehicle expected to secure the service for at least another 17 years.
Zack Gardner, senior copywriter at Collective, expressed his admiration for the Screen Machine, saying, “First dates, 4th or 14th or 40th birthday parties, the latest blockbuster, or just something nice to do on a rainy weekend. Whether for excitement, escapism, or both, going to the pictures is always a treat. That’s why I loved Screen Machine from the moment I heard about it. And so did Collective. Any part we could play in making sure this experience can keep being offered to and accessed by people who live in our country’s most beautiful and remote places was a complete no-brainer. ‘Mon the machine!”
The campaign’s launch coincides with increasing concerns about the future of cinema in rural areas, where access to the arts is already limited. With the rise of streaming services and the closure of many independent cinemas, Screen Machine represents not just a cinema, but a crucial cultural institution that brings people together in some of Scotland’s most remote and stunning locations.
As the Crowdfunder gains momentum, supporters from across the UK and beyond are being urged to contribute what they can to help ensure that the Screen Machine continues its cinematic journey, bringing the magic of movies to those who might otherwise be left in the dark.
