Cinémobile replaces the Screen Machine as mobile cinema service returns to Sutherland

A MOBILE cinema service is set to be reinstated to communities in Sutherland after funding was granted to lease a new unit.

Regional Screen Scotland (RSS), which has operated the well-know Screen Machine for the past 17 years, was forced to reduce its service last December after one of its two operators resigned and also because of mechanical issues, with the mobile cinema breaking down several times.

Kinlochbervie, Durness, Bettyhill and Golspie were axed from the schedule, leaving Lochinver and Lairg as the only two Sutherland destinations.

But now RSS have appointed a new operator and leased a new mobile cinema, called Cinémobile from Toutenkamion, the France based company which built the Screen Machine. Funding to secure the lease came from Screen Scotland.

A spokesman said: “This means that we can return to something more like our usual service. The lease ensures the continuation of the Screen Machine service to the Highlands and Islands for the coming year, as we work towards the development of a new Screen Machine.”

Cinémobile, which is towed by a tractor unit and has 80 comfortable seats, is almost identical to the Screen Machine, which has now been taken of the road but is available for use as a static venue.

The Screen Machine toured more than 40 locations around the Highlands and Islands and notched up 250,000 miles in its lifetime - the equivalent of 10 journeys around the world.

Cinémobile is set to visit Kinlochbervie on July 1-2; Durness on July 3-4; Lairg on July 7-8; and Golspie on July 10-11.

Tickets for these locations have gone on sale and screenings include Guardians of the Galaxy; Local Hero; The Little Mermaid; and the National Theatre’s Fleabag.

Cinémobile is also set to visit either Bettyhill or Tongue with a decision on which venue to be taken next week.

Visit screenmachine.co.uk for more information and to book.

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