TEA BREAK
Tea break:
e Screen Machine driver
Iain MacColl
WEST COAST REVIEW | 17
“To see the look on the
children’s faces when they
watch the latest films is a joy.”
My name is Iain MacColl and
I’m the senior operator of the
Screen Machine mobile cinema,
which tours the Highlands
and 16 islands.
My working day
A typical day involves travelling
between villages, sometimes
20 miles but sometimes much
further on a ferry to an island
in the Hebrides. I open the cinema,
which takes around 50
minutes, then sell the tickets
and project the fi lm. We typically
do a screening at 5.30
and another at 8.30 (three
screenings on weekend days).
I then pack the cinema up and
be ready to move on to the
next village in the morning.
Highlights
My best day at work was
screening the original Whisky
Galore! on Barra. It was amazing
to open the door and see
the church that was on screen
in the cinema! I also did the
30th anniversary screening of
Local Hero in Mallaig, with Bill
Forsyth, who produced it.
He’s a great fi lm-maker and
to be standing next to him
screening such an iconic fi lm
was special. I also took the
Screen Machine out to Bosnia
in 2000 and 2001. That was a
very exciting trip!
Every year for the last three
years I’ve taken the cinema to
the Sick Children’s Hospital in
Edinburgh to do fi lm shows for
the children and their families
over a weekend in September.
To see the look on the children’s
faces when they watch
the latest fi lms is a joy.
The most challenging thing
is the weather in winter. High
winds can prevent a ferry sailing
meaning the next island
might miss their visit. Snow
and ice can be a problem on
some of the roads as well.
What’s next?
I’m looking forward to the release
of the new Mamma Mia
fi lm in July. I dressed up in an
Abba outfi t and danced in the
auditorium at the end of the
fi rst Mamma Mia fi lm so I have
to better that this year!
Any tips?
If you want to have a career
with the mobile cinema you
have to be very resourceful, to
deal with any breakdowns that
might arise. A huge interest in
cinema is a must, as is experience
of driving a large articulated
vehicle on narrow roads.
Tea or coffee?
Tea. I’m a truck driver after all!
And a wee treat
I’m hooked on Wagon Wheels
biscuits, especially the jammy
ones!
The Screen Machine will be
in Lochgilphead from May
7-9, and Tarbert, Loch Fyne,
on May 10.
Find out more at www.
screenmachine.co.uk
W est Coast Review joins a hard-working member of
the community for a fi ve-minute tea break – and
fi nds out what it is that they love about their job.