Hebridean Healers Film

Christine Leach of Pennyghael in the Past Historical Archive approached me to make a film to support a book tour of Hebridean Healers: The Beatons of Mull, a book that she and three other friends had written about a sept of the Beaton clan, medieval herbalists and healers who were resident at Pennycross, here on Mull. All that remains of their presence is the outline of a walled garden, a cove for boats to come in off the loch and an old cross marking the way for the boats. Yet stories of their skill, compassion and excellence sound throughout the years. Christine’s excellent book tells the story most brilliantly. This film tells the story of the making of the book.

It’s always great to work with friends on projects. It was a delight to spend time with Christine and the others to filming this story. I was also lucky enough to work with Gordon Bruce of Iona, who shot the drone footage for the film, and Hannah Fisher and Sorren Maclean, who created the music for the film.

This is a project that I hope to revisit in the future to expand out into a documentary on the Beatons themselves. There’s so much to be said about them and their remarkable work, it needs to be highlighted and I think a film would be a great way to do so. I hope to work with both English and Gaelic in the development of this film. It’s one I’ll keep on the back burner for the time being, but will look to bring to life before too long.

There are two edits of Hebridean Healers, the first of which is aimed at a local audience, with knowledge of the Isle of Mull and can be found at the top of the page, the second of which accompanies any book tour appearances and can be found here, below.