Alasdair Allan, MSP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar has welcomed the news that the mobile cinema project, Screen Machine has extended the lease of its current mobile cinema for an additional two years.

The new lease was made possible thanks to £350,000 from Screen Scotland; part of Creative Scotland, which raises its funding in part from the Scottish Government. This lease extension means the cinema will continue to serve communities across the Western Isles until at least April 2026.

Alasdair Allan commented:

“It’s fantastic to hear Screen Machine, a project which has brought the big screen experience to so many of my constituents for twenty-six years, is set to continue until at least 2026, in large part due to pressure from MSPs and their constituents.

“I am grateful to my constituents for getting in touch about the future of this project. I think it demonstrates just important having a means to access films and the arts means to island communities.

“Of course we should always be looking at new ways to showcase the latest releases to communities without a cinema, but there can be little doubt the Screen Machine has been and continues to be a much valued institution for many of my constituents.”