Ross red kite killings feature in film
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THE mass poisoning of 22 raptors on the Black Isle is the subject of an award-winning new film.
Lisa Marley’s short movie, Red Sky on the Black Isle, explores the events of spring 2014 when 16 red kites and six buzzards were found poisoned within a small area around Conon Bridge.
It was the UK’s worst wildlife crime to date and sparked public outrage.
A reward of nearly £30,000 still stands for information leading to the identity of the culprit, donated by the RSPB, local landowners and the public.
However no-one has been brought to justice for the crime and more than two years later, the police case remains open.
The documentary hears from the RSPB’s red kite expert, a wildlife enthusiast who volunteers at the Tollie Red Kite centre at Brahan near Dingwall and a local Black Isle farmer.
Miss Marley (25), from Aberdeen and who now lives in Bristol, hopes that her short film will help raise awareness of red kites in the Scottish Highlands.
She said: "Centuries ago, red kites were persecuted almost to the point of extinction in this country. Their reintroduction to the Black Isle was incredibly important to the local community, so I couldn’t believe that such a tragic loss hadn’t been more widely reported.
"The story is so compelling and full of intrigue that it really appealed to me as both a wildlife lover and a filmmaker. Even now, two years on, the police are no further forward in determining who is behind this crime, and the case remains open.
"Having grown up in Scotland, I have always felt a strong connection to its wildlife and environment. I hope that by sharing the story of the red kites on the Black Isle, others will be inspired to act to protect our native flora and fauna."
The film, which was awarded the Little Audience Prize at the Raptor Filmz Festival in Edinburgh this February, has been shown at festivals and wildlife conferences across Europe, including XPO North in Inverness, Cineme Shorts in Bristol and the Red Kite Symposium in Binaced, Spain.
Miss Marley added: "The response to Red Sky on the Black Isle has been fantastic so far, and I’m really excited to be able to share it with a wider audience. The Hebrides International Film Festival has an amazing reputation, and I feel very privileged to be a part of it this year.
"The Highlands and Islands of Scotland have so much incredible wildlife, so it’s a great feeling to be able to show this film to those who may have a personal connection to the events it depicts."
Red Sky on the Black Isle has just been shown at the Hebrides International Film Festival and will be screened at the Aberdeen Film Festival on October 17 followed by the Festival de Ménigoute in Deux-Sèvres, France, later in the month.
To watch Red Sky on the Black Isle online, visit www.vimeo.com/141046011.
