‘Raven’ about Bings

BBC’s Raven star James Mackenzie took on his first role as West Lothian Youth Theatre (WLYT) patron when making a guest appearance in ‘Those Big Red Hills’ a film about the Shale Oil industry in West Lothian. 

Award winning participants of Boxstar (WLYT Film and Media facility) have filmed ‘Those Big Red Hills’ a project funded by the Heritage Lottery fund about the West Lothian Shale Oil industry.  Participants from WLYT worked with scriptwriter Duncan Finnigan (My Life as a Bus Stop, Four Eyes) and Boxstar producer and director Len McCaffer and researched the topic which involved trips to the Almond Valley Heritage Museum, Greendykes Bing and talks from experts such as Dr Barbra Harvie.

The film is several stories that intertwine in this poignant yet humorous tale which touches on the history and impact of an almost forgotten industry.  Set on the red Bings of West Lothian, Mary searches for her long lost wedding ring; Moira takes a reluctant Leslie up a Bing to surprising consequences and a bored tour party give their guide the slip and make their own astonishing discovery.  As their journeys interlock, they all discover more about themselves and where they live.

During this exciting project participants got to work with industry professionals such as actors James Mackenzie (the Raven) former WLYT participant and now WLYT patron, Michael Mackenzie (Taggart), Vari Sylvester (Micawber), Garth Cruickshank (Perrier Best Newcomer) and technical crew such as Ian Dodds director of photography, Angus McPake sound and Britt Crawley production manager. 

James Mackenzie WLYT’s patron said ‘it was great to work with the kids; I first started acting at West Lothian Youth Theatre myself so it was a fantastic opportunity to help out.  It’s a great script and I’m really looking forward to see the finished film’.  

The film was premiered at the Vue Cinema in Livingston in April and will be delivered into 66 primary schools across West Lothian as a learning resource.