A movie about an octogenarian tackling one of Scotland’s most iconic mountains is set to inspire visitors to pull on their hiking boots, says VisitScotland.

Edie star Sheila Hancock on Suilven in Scotland (picture credit Arrow Films courtesy of VisitScotland)

Edie stars English actress Sheila Hancock as an 83-year-old widow who decides to climb the 731 metre (2,398 feet) tall mountain Suilven, in Sutherland in the Highlands of Scotland – a feat which was carried out for real by the actress herself during filming. With its remoteness and stunning views, Suilven is considered one of the finest mountains in the UK.

The life-affirming tale, which features the sumptuous scenery of Assynt on the west coast of Scotland, was released last week during National Walking Month in the UK, and Scotland’s tourism organisation believes it could further boost hillwalking trips to Scotland – an activity which is already popular with visitors.

Research from VisitScotland, which was published last year, estimates that walking generates up to £1.26 billion to the Scottish economy. The study found that walking is most popular with those aged 55-64, but millennials make up more than a quarter (26%) of visitors participating in long walks. And Edie may not be alone in her endeavours, with 12% of 65+ visitors taking part in a long walk, hike or ramble.

Walking is also one of the most popular topics searched for on the VisitScotland website, with more than 670,000 page views for articles related to the activity last year.

To coincide with the movie’s release, VisitScotland is working in partnership with the distributors, Arrow Films, to help promote the movie, as well as Scotland’s outdoor appeal. Edie has been screened at many film festivals worldwide including Edinburgh, Santa Barbara, Dublin, Victoria and HOF in Germany. 

Fiona Hyslop, Culture Secretary in the Scottish Government, said: “Outdoor pursuits like walking are already one of the main reasons tourists visit Scotland. I’m sure this film will encourage others to come and experience our outstanding scenery, such as that in Assynt, which I had the privilege of visiting recently.

“Even if you don’t feel like tackling a mountain there are many beautiful walks to suit all abilities. This is also an exciting time for our screen industry. Total production spend on film and TV has increased by more than 200% since 2007, and Edie is just the latest example of the many and varied productions that are choosing to come to Scotland.”

Janet Redler, Chief Executive of Janet Redler Travel & Tourism, added: “Walking is one of the world’s most popular hobbies and, at Janet Redler Travel & Tourism, we organise a growing number of walking tours every year. In this wonderful movie, Edie is determined to prove to herself and everyone else that it’s never too late – and walking is something for all ages, even if you don’t want to climb a mountain!”

If you would like to enjoy a walking tour of Scotland, the UK or Ireland, tailor-made to suit the abilities and preferences of your group, please do contact our friendly team today.