Scotland At The Movies

20 March 2009, 14:44

Showcasing some of the best Scottish stereotypes with its mix of bedevilment, drinking and ingenuity, the 1949 classic Whisky Galore took much of its flavour from the island on which it was made and the locals who helped to make it.

The film sees the wily Islanders of Great and Little Todday pitted against the (English) Customs and Excise men as they try to drink and smuggle the 50,000 cases of whisky washed up on a stricken cargo ship.

The true story on which the film is based began when a ship called the SS Politician, which really was carrying a cargo of whisky,  ran aground on the small Island of Eriskay in the Outer Hebrides off the west coast of Scotland. Eriskay only had one road and a single main street so the Whisky Galore producers opted to set the film on the slightly larger and neighbouring island, Barra.

Barra is the most southerly of the inhabited Hebrides islands and is widely regarded as a more relaxed place compared to the much larger island of Lewis to the North  where the main population lives. The 23 square mile island has a population of around 1000 and is a haven of wildlife and stunning views. Its white sandy beaches are linked by rocky coves and grassy plains.

Ealing Studios had opted to shoot the entire film on location and put the entire island to use as a giant set during the wild and unpredictable summer of 1948.

The main street (the only street) of the island of Todday in Whisky Galore was filmed in the village of Castlebay and the current post office served as the island store in the film, while the bank is still a bank today.

The old Castlebay village hall was used as a makeshift studio and exteriors and interiors were shot all over the island. The one exception is the  final chase scene of Whisky Galore was re-shot on the more forgiving south coast of England.

The cast and crew, some 80 of them, were billeted all over Barra as the whole island contributed to the making of the film. Many of the accents and customs in the film were picked up by the actors from their hosts and a large number of the islanders featured in the film itself.

Whisky Galore is on STV on April 26.

Last updated: 26 March 2009, 12:56