'Small Country' - What's in a Name?

First, some housekeeping: happy New Year! It's been a couple of months since I've posted on the Scotica blog, with lockdown returning to Scotland shoots have regrettably had to be put on hold. So instead, we've put our heads down and are powering through the final stages of post-production on 'Small Country'. The film is now in a state where it's ready to be sent off to festivals which, if all goes well, will be back to in-person events later this year. Which brings us to our first feature:

This is the official poster for 'Small Country', featuring Ben and David Oakes of Sconser Scallops against a backdrop of their home and workplace, the dramatic Loch Sligachan. This brings me onto something I felt I should commit to writing at some point: why 'Small Country'?

The Northwest Highlands is a big place. From Kyle of Lochalsh all the way up to Cape Wrath, the road through the Highlands is 200 miles of sublime, weather-beaten scenery without break. For outdoor enthusiasts, there is more than enough hiking, climbing and biking in this area to fill a lifetime. It lays claim to one of the largest areas of wilderness this side of Oslo. The mainland section of this area (ie. not counting Skye or any islands) a colossal 4,000km2.

And yet, it supports a minuscule population, under 10,000 in total. That's the lowest population density in Western Europe, a fewer number of people than are squeezed into Clapham Junction in London. Their communities are equally small and disparate, with the largest settlement being the village of Ullapool. These communities, though geographically isolated, and nonetheless intimately connected within themselves and between each other. I was able to trace a direct line of acquaintance through every single contributor to the film.

The title 'Small Country' comes in part between this contradiction between the landscape and the people within it. But the film is first and foremost a timely one, which aims to document a juncture of turmoil for both. As the communities are shrinking further, with more and more of the population retirees or temporary residents, their role in the wider world is only growing. Large-scale industries and fast tourism are making more of an effect on the Highland landscape every year, and in turn the area is being forced to adapt to changes faster than it has ever before in its long history.

'Small Country' will be heading to festivals (virtually and in-person) across the UK throughout 2021. In the meantime, a new trailer will be dropping next Tuesday (12/01) - so mark your calendars and keep an eye on your feeds!