Home   News   Article

Sutherland filmmaker Robert Aitken's new environmental film 'The Dreaming Bog' to be screened at Lairg


By Caroline McMorran

Easier access to your trusted, local news. Subscribe to a digital package and support local news publishing.



Click here to sign up to our free newsletters!

Lairg and District Learning Centre is hosting a screening of a new environmental film, The Dreaming Bog, on Thursday, September 6, as part of the Climate Fringe Festival.

Sutherland born filmmaker Robert Aitken, who directed and produced the film, will be present at the Lairg screening.

The evening will also feature a “climate conversation” and an audience question and answer session.

Poster for The Dreaming Bog.
Poster for The Dreaming Bog.

The Dreaming Bog is based on the opening act of an epic new poem "Six Thousand Years of Sunlight" by Caithness poet and playwright George Gunn.

It merges poetry with environmental concerns through the backdrop of the bogs and peatlands of northern Scotland and the mires and swamps of Finland.

Mr Aitken said: “Filming took place at the end of 2021 under challenging circumstances including a pandemic, a lockdown, two storms and multiple cancellations due to Covid and illness. It is just incredible The Dreaming Bog got made at all.”

Filmmaker Robert Aitken.
Filmmaker Robert Aitken.

The filmmaker said that the global bogs, mires and peatlands were an “incredible gift of life” but were in danger of degradation through human-related activities.

“They are often seen as unexciting landscapes, not fit for much use, but this couldn’t be further from their past story and inherent nature,” he said.

“These places are home to an immense variety of plants and wildlife, and historically, humankind has lived and worked in the bogs of northern Scotland since the arrival of the hunter-gatherer."

“As carbon keepers, the bogs are four times more efficient at storing gases poisonous to human life, than the rainforests.

“The last 200 years has seen more change and damage to the bogs than the previous 6000 years of civilization."

The Dreaming Bog contains comments from those who live and work in the bogs of Caithness and Sutherland as well as Finland.

George Gunn said: “I was honoured when Robert wanted to use some of my poems for his new film.

Caithness poet and playwright George Gunn.
Caithness poet and playwright George Gunn.

“The subject matter of the Caithness and Sutherland bog lands is very close to my heart given the Clan Gunn literally, culturally and historically, come out of the bog.”

The full length film runs at 40 minutes and is designed to open up discussions with live audiences.

The Lairg event takes place from 7pm-9pm.

Tickets are £5 and are available in advance through Eventbrite, but can also be booked by contacting the Learning Centre on 01549 402050.

Tickets will also be available on the night but booking in advance is recommended to avoid disappointment.

As is the case with all activities delivered by Lairg and District Learning Centre, if you cannot afford to pay the full price, please contact the centre for information on a reduced ticket.

Still image taken from The Dreaming Bog. The filmaker says the peatland appears to look like a "gigantic brain" from the air.
Still image taken from The Dreaming Bog. The filmaker says the peatland appears to look like a "gigantic brain" from the air.
The Flow Country of Caithness and Sutherland features within The Dreaming Bog. Picture: Robert Aitken
The Flow Country of Caithness and Sutherland features within The Dreaming Bog. Picture: Robert Aitken

Do you want to respond to this article? If so, click here to submit your thoughts and they may be published in print.



This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies - Learn More