Balamory filming 2004
Mull and Iona
Pipe Band
Click on all images to enlarge
The B B C filming crew have filmed twice this year,
once in May, just before the Spring Bank holiday, and then again, the
last two weeks in June. All the episodes are for series 4 and 5
to be shown later this year.
Tobermory is now getting quite used to the film crew,
and the minor disruption on some of the streets. As this is our
summer, they have chosen to do a lot of the snow scenes and seasonal
filming. Not that this really matters, as when they originally
came to shoot the 'sampler' in April 02, it rained all the time, and
when they shot the Christmas show in November 03 it was absolutely
fabulous weather with blue skies and good temperatures. Anyway,
the cast didn't seem to care, and a good time was had by all.
A few changes have been made in Tobermory since the
early filming, for example, Edie McCredies' garage had been renovated
and turned into our local Chocolate factory and cafe. Penny
Pocket's shop had been painted blue again, and problems had developed
between the Beeb and the owner of Josie Jumps house and so a temporary
set had to be constructed at the Western Isles Hotel. No problem
to the film crew. The scenes outside Edie McCredies were filmed
before 9 am, with new doors and signs put in place, and then removed
before the shop opened (and the snow cleared). Penny's shop was
painted back to red and then back to blue again and the Western Isles
had a stage set on it for a few days. All good T.V.
The latest filming in June was known about by quite a
few local people, and so more toddler tourists made their way to the
town to watch the filming. The film crew clearly decided to make
more provision for autographs and contact with the young visitors and
had several special, 'meet the cast' sessions. As a local
resident with a background in education, I can't commend the cast
highly enough for the wonderful way that they have dealt with all of
the on looking children.
More significantly, was the fact that some of the
visiting, and resident children got to play in some of the scenes.
I once again have to say that the town gets a nice
party feel to it when so many young children are in town and when the
cast join in then for these young children magic and the T.V. become
reality?
I had a nice story from one parent who told me that
they had to 'coach' their 3 year old in 'reality' before returning to
play group. He had talked to Miss Hoolie, and Edie and P.C.
Plumb in person, but who was going to believe him? Who was going
to believe that they really lived here (even if only for two weeks )
A three year olds perception of reality takes some understanding! but
who cares! the dreams became reality for a few lucky wee
visitors.
