Scotland is best known for churning out some of life’s greatest things, such as Irn-Bru, Tunnocks teacakes and also the television.
Scottish engineer John Logie Baird invented that magical wee box we love to watch all our favourite programmes on but one thing we don’t take enough credit for it the absolute classic films us Scots have brought out over the years.
Our showbiz writer, Kirsten McStay takes a look at some of the classics.
Sweet 16
‘Hope yer porridge isny too lumpy Jean’.
This absolute Scottish gem is one of our all time favourite films.
Martin Compston made his break through with this film and it captures the essence of Scottish culture in the early 2000s.
Sweet 16 was directed by Ken Loach, and sees troubled youngster Liam dreaming of starting afresh with his mother as soon as she has completed her prison term.
But of course the teen, who comes from a difficult background, faces many challenges trying to make his dreams come true by getting involved in with the wrong crowd.
Gregory’s Girl
The film that graced our screens in the 1980s, Gregory’s Girl is an absolute classic.
Gregory Underwood is an awkward teen who enjoys playing for his school’s football team and spending time with his mates but it isn’t long before young Gregory ends up falling for the team’s only female player Dorothy.
After plucking up the courage to ask her out on a date, it ends in disaster when she has to cancel at the last minute and sends her friend instead.
The film was set in Abronhill, Cumbernauld, and is still watched and loved by many, even 40 years on.
Trainspotting
We couldn’t possibly write an article about iconic Scottish films without mentioning Trainspotting.
The production was directed by Danny Boyle and was the silver screen adaptation of Irvine Welsh ’s novel, which centred on the heroin scene in his home city of Edinburgh.
The cult classic catapulted on to screens in 1996 and went on to win multiple awards.
The cast made up of Ewan McGregor, Robert Carlyle, Johnny Lee Miller and Kelly McDonald, reunited in 2017 for the sequel movie T2 Trainspotting.
Are you even Scottish if you haven’t seen Trainspotting?
The Angel’s Share
One of the more recent films from our selection has to be The Angel’s Share.
The film sees a gang of lovable scallies attempt to relieve a Highland distillery of whisky.
The Angel’s Share is another one of Ken Loach ’s creations and is absolutely fantastic.
Named after the tiny amount of alcohol lost during the ageing process, the film stars Paul Brannigan as the ne’er-do-well Robbie, who acquires a taste for rye from his community service supervisor, played superbly by John Henshaw.
Teaming up with three fellow offenders, he hatches a plan to steal a rare whisky that’ll set them up for life.
It’s a perfectly distilled blend of humour and pathos.
The film was released in 2012.
Braveheart
If this film doesn’t make you feel patriotic then we don’t know what will.
It’s the iconic film about one of Scotland’s best-known historical figures and 25 years on, Braveheart is still considered to be a classic.
One of the most quotable films of all time, it’s best remembered for its unforgettable battle scenes, rousing speeches and of course, Mel Gibson’s dodgy Scottish accent.
Filmed on location in Scotland and Ireland from June to October 1994, it finally hit our screens 25 years ago last week.
Debuting across the country in September 1995, it became an instant hit and went on to win five Oscars, including best picture and the best director gong for Mel Gibson.
