Inspiring explorers

A setting that inspires art and creativity, Inverewe Garden in Wester Ross was begun in 1862 by Osgood Mackenzie and was donated to the National Trust for Scotland by his daughter in 1952. Just 90 minutes from Inverness, the garden benefits from the mild climate thanks to the effects of the Gulf Stream and is home to a wealth of rare species.

Inverewe has been the Scottish home for the festival since its inception three years ago. It’s a key stage on the North Coast 500 route and a popular destination for wildlife enthusiasts and walkers alike, embodying the sense of adventure that will be found onscreen during the festival.

For the third year running, it’ll showcase the best adventure films from around the globe. Over the course of the festival (21–23 September 2018), adventurers and cinema fans will be treated to more than 14 inspiring feature-length films as well as a selection of shorter works. The festival also includes talks from filmmakers and adventurers.

A setting that inspires art and creativity, Inverewe Garden in Wester Ross was begun in 1862 by Osgood Mackenzie and was donated to the National Trust for Scotland by his daughter in 1952. Just 90 minutes from Inverness, the garden benefits from the mild climate thanks to the effects of the Gulf Stream and is home to a wealth of rare species.

Inverewe has been the Scottish home for the festival since its inception three years ago. It’s also a key stage on the North Coast 500 route and a popular destination for wildlife enthusiasts and walkers alike, embodying the sense of adventure that will be found onscreen during the festival.

Festival highlights include a restored version of Ian McCluskey’s 1938 Voyagers Without Trace which documents, in colour, the first kayak descent of the Colorado river in a collapsible canvas canoe and Hubert Davis’ Once More – The story of VIN903847 which tells the story of Paul Loofs, who fled communist 1940s East Germany to achieve his dream of travelling the world in his VW Beetle.

Look out too for 2017’s Skye’s the Limit – James Appleton’s film about a stand-up paddle tour around Skye reporting on chronic plastic pollution – and also from 2017, Michael Worrall’s The British Backpacker Society about a group who actively travel to destinations discouraged by the Foreign Office.

From the frigid perimeter of Iceland in From Morocco With Love to a cross-continental journey to Australia in Oxford to Sydney in a KR2, the festival’s line-up is packed with thrilling expeditions, incredible true stories and unfathomable achievements documented and displayed on the big screen.

The festival will also offer the chance to hear from guest speakers, including filmmakers Global Convoy who filmed their budget round-the-world adventure and climber/extreme runner Paul Tattersall who advises the film industry on safety in the Scottish hills.

On the Friday and Saturday nights, festival goers can also enjoy live music from acts including Iona Fyfe, Luc McNally and Cera Impala. Festival goers can camp nearby at the Inverewe Caravan and Camping Club.

Kevin continued: ‘Our aim is to showcase the best independent adventure travel films ever made and bring together the adventure travel community in a unique destination between the mountains and the lochs.

‘The Adventure Film Festival is a highlight of our calendar at Inverewe. It’s a chance to showcase some incredible films and to welcome a wonderful mix of like-minded people to this unique place.’

For more information and tickets, visit the AFF website.