Highland Cinema, Fort William is launching an international photography competition today,
in celebration of Scotland’s traditional unique red roofed buildings. Scotland has a fantastic
array of wonderful red roofed buildings, from croft houses in the Highlands to barn roofs in
the Shetlands and tenements in the urban landscapes of the Central Belt. This red roof
tradition was incorporated in the iconic design of the Highland Cinema when it was
conceived by local entrepreneur and owner, Angus MacDonald. Highland Cinema is a newbuild,
state-of-the-art independent cinema and café bar, with a striking red roof and locally
sourced stone frontage which perfectly complement its historical surroundings in the heart of
Fort William, Lochaber.
Since opening in September 2020, the Highland Cinema has been recognised in Time Out’s
’50 Best Cinemas’ in the UK, and is a favourite go-to destination in Fort William. The ‘Red
Roofs of Scotland’ photography competition will mark the second anniversary of its opening,
and Highland Cinema now invites amateur photographers to submit photographs featuring
beautiful, quirky, rustic and interesting red roof buildings located in any part of Scotland.
Entry is open to amateur photographers of any age, using any camera. Images can be of
any building in Scotland with a predominantly red roof (including Highland Cinema), taken
within the last three years. The submission deadline is 28 August 2022, giving entrants six
months to find and photograph their favourite red roofed building in a multitude of weather
conditions. Winners will be announced on 29 September 2022.
The competition has a first, second and third prize, and all shortlisted works for display will
receive £100. The best twenty will be printed, suitably credited and exhibited prominently
inside the Highland Cinema, Fort William. First prize is £500, sponsored by The Scottish
Gallery, Edinburgh; Second prize is £300, sponsored by Highland Cinema, and Third prize
is £200, sponsored by Respiole Studios. Winners may also have a chance to have prints of
their work displayed and sold nationally.
Meet the Judges
Iain Ferguson
Iain Ferguson is an award-winning professional photographer with over 40 years’ experience
covering every kind of event and landscape imaginable. Based in Fort William, Iain worked
extensively in the press before branching out into freelance work. He takes photos for
national magazines, newspapers, weddings and even stills for big budget film productions.
Andrew Sinclair
Andrew Sinclair is a notable Scottish oil painter and gallery owner based in the remote West
Highlands of Scotland. The founder of Resipole Studios and Fine Art Gallery, a multi-faceted
art space showcasing the very best in contemporary art, Andrew is a passionate advocate
for the social and economic value of arts provision, especially in remote communities. He
devotes much time and resources to supporting opportunities for young artists and has
served as a trustee to Room 13 International since 2013.
Christina Jansen
Christina Jansen is the Managing Director of The Scottish Gallery, Edinburgh. She has over
25 years’ experience as a curator, publisher and producer, and is a 20th century Scottish,
Contemporary and Applied Arts Specialist. The Scottish Gallery is the country’s oldest
independent art gallery, celebrating its 180th anniversary in 2022.
Rob Fairley
Rob Fairley is a highly respected visual artist, educator, mountaineer and crofter whose
artistic career has spanned more than 50 years. Based in Lochaber, his work is entirely
focused on the land, and to the landscape, geology, stories, songs and myths that this
encompasses. Rob was seminal in founding Room 13 International, which facilitates the
work of young artists alongside artists in residence, promoting entrepreneurship and
creativity by providing a studio-based forum where people of all ages can exchange ideas,
skills and experience.
Angus MacDonald
Angus is a renowned Lochaber entrepreneur, businessman and philanthropist. Highland
Cinema was conceived and funded entirely by him, after reading an article that said the best
way to renew a high street was to start an independent bookshop and independent cinema
(he has now done both). Angus remains hands-on in the day to day running of the cinema,
and is also a successful author of Scottish novels.
