WATCH: Premiere of new film documenting last cast of Easter Ross salmon fishing family
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A capacity crowd in Easter Ross gathered to greet the first ever showing of a new film documenting the closing of a chapter in the history of Scottish salmon fishing.
William Paterson Salmon Fisher, a film by Stephen Macmillan, follows fisherman William Paterson, who has lost his income and much of his way of life due to changes in legislation relating to salmon fishing.
Described by filmmaker Stephen Macmillan as the "dynasty of Salmon fishing families in the north-east of Scotland", William's forefathers have been fishing with bag nets for wild Atlantic salmon in Easter Ross for over a hundred years and William is the last of the Paterson fishers.
The film follows William as he sets his net for one last time.
In 2016, the Scottish Government introduced legislation to prohibit bag net fishing in Scotland for an initial three year period in order to carry out scientific research as to why there was a decline in Atlantic salmon.
Following the assessment of the research done, and of the status of salmon stocks for 2019, the Scottish Government then determined that the prohibition on retaining salmon caught in coastal nets would remain in place.
Filmmaker Stephen Macmillan was first approached by William with the idea of documenting how bag net fishing was done.
"William asked me if I would record him putting a bag net into the sea for the last time, just to make sure it was recorded and that people would know how bag net fishing was done. That was the basis of the film.
"But he very soon forgot I was there, and he set the net as if it were another season starting. He was assisted by some volunteers and after seven days, the net came out and we had caught a good number of fish. Of course, they were all released as it is not legal to keep them.
"It seemed to me, and to William, that there were still plentiful supplies of salmon in the sea.
"We had very good weather, good light and it was just a real pleasure to make the film."
Filmed in William's home of Portmahomack in Easter Ross, the film premiered at the Carnegie Hall in the village on Friday, April 8.
The hall committee greeted attendees with refreshments on arrival and the film was introduced by Mr Macmillan, who is based in London but has family in the area.
Compere for the evening, Iain Morrison, said: "This was a really lovely community event organised by Pamela Duff and made possible through Highland Third Party Sector Interface funding accessed by our chair, Carol Summers.
"Memories of the salmon fishing were shared by many attendees and it really was a beautifully made film, capturing an important and historic way of life on the Easter Ross peninsula.”
Mr Macmillan is now in discussion about the distribution of the film and intends to make it available to many others in due course.
He said: "The premiere was very well attended, mostly by local people. I received a very warm welcome and was very well looked after by the hall committee.
"I hope to see the film more widely distributed in time."
