Charlie is my Darling

I have been so busy doing pre-production for the film about Bonnie Prince Charlie, I have not blogged about it since October 2015. So it is time to fix that and post some photos of our wonderful location reccies, which just make you love the Scottish countryside and coast all the more.

Last year there was the visit to the Glenfinnan Monument, which is where Charlie raised his Royal Standard on his way into Scotland at the commencement of his attempt to claim the Scottish throne. Aside from enjoying the loch and the mild weather I learned that the films of Harry Potter had made a great impact on the area, because of the thousands of visits there to see the steam train from the film. I was amazed at all the young people from all over the world making this pilgrimage to the station at Glenfinnan to see the steam train travel across the now famous viaduct.
It shows how important film making and commercial creations like Harry Potter are to the local tourist economy, which contributes millions of pounds to the places associated with the movie. All the more reason for the Great Getaway to contribute by creating local employment during the film making process and to the community in the afterwards.



Here are 2 pipers Adelade and Peter, who headed for the 'Harry Potter place' after the World piping championship last year.
 

 Films really do contribute to the economy and help to re invent the identities of places associated with them. The Bonnie Prince Charlie trail gets reflected glory from Harry Potter because the visitor centre now has over 62,000 visitors in summer.

On the trains buses, roads and hotels everyone in hospitality works very hard to make it a pleasurable experience for the tourists. So lets take a moment to think about how finance is created and how communities keep themselves alive and excited about their own heritage.
Charlie is their Darling in this tourist area.




Moving on to Moidart

Moidart was the place Charlie arrived and departed from after his rebellion failed to gain support in the resounding defeat of the battle of Culloden in 1745.

Writer and Director of Great Getaway looks on a plaque to Bonnie Prince Charlie on the coast of Arisaig on the road to Malaig.

 

Robbie checking out the scenery in preparation for Charlie's escape to the Isle of Skye.

 

From Glenuig to the Isle of Rhum

 

 

Boy climbing the rocks with his stick. Let's hope he is imagining characters like Harry Potter and Bonnie Prince Charlie in the Landscape? What's for sure in any film set in Scotland the Landscape is very much one of the character's in the film and so it should be.

Europe's History

A note for Europe as it bows to the weight of a new influx of people, whose protests have seen their lands laid waste. Both Refugees and Europeans must work together to stop a political vacuum, which may be filled by those who wish to see European culture destroyed in a wave of violence, at least this is the fear of many. Let not anger be misused for evil intent, but rather to feed the hungry, and give shelter to the homeless. In the history of mankind Europe has been the power of invention, science, and enlightenment through battling with the forces of nature to create cities of refuge from the cold and wind. As refugees await at its gates, let them not allow the power of hate enter their hearts or worse let those who have made hate their home in their hearts to lead us all to a perdition of destruction. Violence in any form is not the way. Certainly if anyone can learn anything from the battle of Culloden it is that one thing. If not we are all lost.