Screen machine

The Screen Machine is a mobile cinema that operates across the Scottish Highlands and Islands.

History

The original Screen Machine, now named "Screen Machine 1", was a mobile cinema for the Highlands and Islands of Scotland and was launched in 1998. It consisted an articulated unit, the trailer of which expanded and unfolded to provide a 102 seat self-contained cinema. In recent years, it has been standing in for Eden Court’s Riverside Theatre in Inverness whilst they were closed for a major refurbishment. The motivation behind the service was simple: to provide small and remote communities with access locally to the same level of cinema experience normally available in large towns.

Screen Machine: Take Two

Now regarded by most as 'The Screen Machine' the Screen Machine: Take Two is a replacement of the original Screen Machine and has been in service since April 15 2005. It was built by French company ‘Toutenkamion’ who specialise in custom-built vehicles, including mobile recording studios, restaurants and traveling galleries. It is a similar concept to the original, however, the capacity is reduced to 80 seats. It normally takes three different films on each tour, visiting each community for three-four days, to give 8 or more screenings in total.

Locations

Currently the machine visits locations including: Lochgilphead, Tarbert, Argyll and Bute, Isle of Arran, Port Ellen, Tobermory, Tighnabruiach, Tarbett, Ullapool, Benbecula, Gairloch, Dornie and Lochcarron.

External links

* [http://www.screenmachine.co.uk/screenmachine Official website]
* [http://www.hi-arts.co.uk/screen-machine1.html Hi-Arts]