CELEBRATIONS will take place in Galloway this weekend to mark the 50th anniversary of The Wicker Man.
Scenes from the 1973 cult horror film were filmed at Logan Botanic Garden and the Isle of Whithorn, and to celebrate the film’s 50th anniversary Newton Stewart cinema will screen the world premiere of the newly restored re-release of The Wicker Man on Sunday.
The screening will be a nice callback for the cinema as it hosted a one-night-only showing of the as-yet unreleased film to local people as a thank you back in the 1970s.
It is hoped that the contemporary celebrations will spark renewed interest from visitors inspired to travel to the locations after seeing them on screen, leading to a boost to local tourism.
VisitScotland’s Ken Massie, said: “The Wicker Man is hugely important to Scotland’s rich film history and, to this day, still attract visitors to Dumfries and Galloway to explore the film locations.
“It is fantastic that celebrations are taking place to mark these special anniversaries and we hope that the films inspire a new generation of fans looking to visit Scotland in the future.”
Tourism businesses and events continue to feel the positive impact of the films to this day and are looking forward to renewed interest as the anniversaries approach.
The quiet rural locations of Dumfries and Galloway exuded a more menacing quality on-screen in The Wicker Man. The infamous fiery climatic scene that sees the burning of The Wicker Man was shot on the clifftops of Burrowhead, near the Isle of Whithorn. Nearby St Ninian’s Cave also featured in the film, as well as Anwoth, Kirkcudbright, Logan Botanic Garden and the Ellangown Hotel bar in Creetown.
Richard Baines, curator of Logan Botanic Garden said: “Logan enjoys an almost subtropical climate where plants from the Americas, Southern Africa and Australasia all thrive, so it served as the perfect setting for the exotic estate owned by Lord Summerisle – played of course by the incomparable Christopher Lee.
“As well as starring the garden, our first curator, Martin College, played a cameo role and can be spotted strolling along the paths.
“Fifty years on from its first screening, The Wicker Man continues to fascinate viewers and attract fans to the garden, keen to enjoy the same spectacular scenery as the sinister Lord Summerisle.”
