Most of this info came from various Facebook groups, including: Douglas Ewart High School, Gatehouse of Fleet, I Love Drumore, Stranraer and District Memories, Stranraer and District Memories and comments uncensored, Creetown Now and Then, Creetown Heritage Museum...
Text in bold are leads that might lead to more info if researched. Possibly missing scenes, etc.
The most recently added people are on top. Otherwise, they're not in any order. Some have dates... I fixed some punctuation, etc but most are as they were typed.
***
Dabby McCreadie[]
Dabby McCreadie (from a Billy Pele Mcwhirter post about something… talking about the old dead tree seen in the background behind the crowd at the Wicker Man.) "They damaged the roof/ Ceiling at the Pend moving the tree!I I asked, The old tree came from the Priory in Whithorn?!! Yes, near the manse, he says!
Elaine Loch[]
only thing I remember clearly (without prompts) was watching a wee tree for the film...in full blossom, being driven up the Main Street. Mum was working at the Kelvin that day and had been told to watch out for it!
Rosemary McWhirter[]
I don't know exactly who stayed at The Kelvin. There were some actors at The Auld Kings Arms too. The whole company came to Auld Kings Arms for dinner. Think they went round the different places they were staying at. Britt Eckland, Diane Cilento, Edward Woodward, Christopher Lee, John Sharp - a few of them
and this
Locals were invited to Auld Kings Arms for dinner one night. My husband and his Mother and Father Sam & Netta McWhirter and son Sam ) were invited as Sam had been talking to John Sharp in either The Judges Keep or Kings Arms and he went for a walk round Derskelpin and as a thank you John invited them for dinner. My husband Sam remembers Christopher Lee as very tall and he says had scary looking eye - he said no wonder he played scary horror parts.
Mmm I was a waitress at the time.
Alison Rowsell[]
My father was contacted as they needed a brown pony. I had a grey pony and dad was told that that could work as they would cover him in Nescafe! In the event another brown pony was found!
peterarkleillustration (on Instagram, 4/23/20)[]
I was only 7 or 8... and didn’t see the movie until years later... Particularly remember them filming a window smashing scene in a shop near the Harbour. We were across the street on our bikes.
Nic Crosbie[]
My grandpa Ian Gillespie drove the wicker man to Burrowhead on the lorry! That’s his claim to fame.
David Baird[]
No pics or home movies I'm afraid, but quite a few of the cast and crew stayed in our village (Glenluce), Aubrey Morris being the one most people would remember mainly because he took long walks round the village, was such a friendly chap and dressed very flamboyantly which raised a few eyebrows. Also I had a pal who lived at Lochinch Castle who may have memories of particular scenes being filmed there, would that be right James Fitzsimons ? 😉
Karen Elizabeth Wilson[]
Wee lady who worked in The George Hotel was in the coffin with pennies on her eyes. Nobody else would do it but she did. (Billy Pele Mcwhirter) Karen Elizabeth Wilson thanks Karen do you remember her name? Karen Elizabeth Wilson: Bella Ballantine. Stayed in Ashwood Drive. Sarah Johnstone: no one would do it in Whithorn 🤣 Karen Elizabeth Wilson: Aye, wee Bella hadnae much so the money wud be good fer her. She was a lovely person. Nothing to call her own but wud give ye the shirt aff her back. (From Facebook thread on Stranraer and District Memories page.)
Daniel Macdonald[]
Christopher Lee. Didn't have a pen to give us his autograph but gave my stepdaughter money instead. . (From Facebook thread on Stranraer and District Memories page.)
Alastair'Janet Campbell[]
I remember meeting Christopher Lee and Edward Woodward down the Old Pier and couldn't get away with Edward's hair colour, as he seemed to have Blond, Brown, Ginger and Grey. They were so friendly towards everyone and, took the time to speak to us. I was 13 at the time and, had been an Avid Horror Film Fan and A Callan Fan, so it really made my day seeing them both. . (From Facebook thread on Stranraer and District Memories page.)
Sarah Johnstone[]
Lots of memories although from Whithorn I do have Edward Woodward and Christopher Lees Autograph . They were all lovely and Edward Woodward even pinched one of my chips. (From Facebook thread on Stranraer and District Memories page.)
Mary Stuart[]
(via Billy Pele McWhirter) I was talking to Mary and she could recollect looking out the dinning room window at Burrow Head and watching Britt and Edward eating burgers and chips. She also remembered that some of the extras were her teachers from school, Mr and Mrs Sutherland, and remembers the house on George Street was the one where the bedroom scene was filmed.
James MacDonald Reid[]
I was staying with actor Lindsay Kemp at the time and he got me to coach him in his "Scottish" accent.
Lindsay got into an arguement with Britt Ekland in the pub in Kirkudbright one evening after shooting and poured a pint of stout over her head. Then he got a taxi all the way home to Edinburgh. The director had to coax him back the next day.
Stuart Dalyrmple[]
I know Elliot (Robb, a fireman who was on set) well and remember his story’s, he told me there was a few scary moments at the burning as they had to try and stop it burning too quick and then allow time to get Woodward out of it and the stunt man in then get the stunt man out.
Remember all the actors and directors going to and frow at the Douglas house and we inherited the steps that went up to the Wickerman burning.
We lived at Douglas Terrace in Newton Stewart and our back garden sat higher than the park behind our house, they (the steps) were cut down a bit and sunk into the slope to be use like timber steps.
The bit cut off was enough for the next door neighbour to do the same.
John Macdonald[]
His mother, Sandra, is the woman seen by the spinning wheel that Howie barges in on. That house is next to the harbour master's is called Tullochard. The room is on the second floor. He has told me that she is also the woman seen at the third floor window of the harbour master's house when Howie arrives.
Linda McGhie[]
(From a chat with Paul Meacock)
When they were filming the coffin scene in the joiners workshop on harbour a few of were hanging about hoping to get his autograph.they let 2 or 3 in at a time but 2 or 3 were a bit shy and asked me to go in and get it for them. When I went in for 3rd or 4th time he said “Blimey mate, your names changing like an opinion pole”.
My dads name was Alex McGhie. (when asked where the shop was): house on left of Steam Packet, it was filmed in back workshop
Paul then asked about the pic her father took of the final shot:
Linda: I’m sure it was on just over to right about 30 or forty yards from wicker man.
Paul: Was the Hero Man photo and head shot photo taken on the same evening?
Linda: Yes I’m sure they were
Paul: Do you know if the Hero Man was burnt of the day after the head shot was done?
Linda: Think they must have done the head shot again sometime as it doesn’t look like same sky. Yes I can remember being with my dad when he took pics but don’t remember seeing the wicker man being burned that night
Paul: Did you only go one the one night to Burrowhead?
Linda: Probably up a few times but usually went with my dad if he was going up
Paul: Did you say that you saw the stand-alone head being burned, but that the Hero Man had not been burned yet?
Linda: Yes. I would say the wicker man was burned on a different night as the skys don’t match. When I get a chance I’ll have a look through box of his pictures and send you anything else I find
Billy Waugh[]
Tony Roper, the postman in The Wicker Man, was on the radio today so I emailed a question in to the show asking about any recollections of working on the film.
He said he loved working on the film and shared a caravan with Edward Woodward. Also, that in the caravan there was a wig that he wasn’t sure who it belonged to until Woodward came in to the caravan, took off his own wig and replaced it with the one he was wearing in the film.
I thought it was too good an opportunity not to try and ask a question even though he was a guest on a football show.
So there you go, Sgt. Howie was wearing a wig.
George McIntyre[]
Remember them getting my taxi to the pier in Stranraer, never got paid lol. Also the main stars, Edward Woodward and Brit Ekland coming to our hunt ball. He was really nice but Brit, a pure snob, talking to nobody.
John Brown[]
Many of the crew stayed in The Crown with a concurrent large increase in bottled beer consumption. I worked the cellar there before heading to the Ewart. John McCutcheon was barman at the time he may have more if anyone is in touch with him.
John Gowan[]
17 Victoria (Newton Stewart) is my building but the whole structure has changed over the years..I believe talking to the guy next door the dark room (used in the film) was part of the back of my shop and going into his house..The rushes I believed were worked in his part of the house..Apparently where his door is now there was a window ..He is not an original owner but was able to give some good info to your member* of what was filmed where and how the buildings have all changed ..*(a member of a Facebook group)
More on this with pics here.
Margaret McGarva Oscroft[]
My dad drove the cast around and said Edward Woodward and Britt Eckland were always drunk, even in the mornings.
Bill McKaig[]
A local, Bill McKaig, mentions that he saw the plane fly over the Lipton Supermarket he was the manager of and along the River Cree in Creetown.
peterarkleillustration (on Twitter)[]
I saw them shooting it!
I was only 7 or 8... and didn’t see the movie until years later... Particularly remember them filming a window smashing scene in a shop near the Harbour. We were across the street on our bikes.
Jacqueline Christie Addis[]
My Hubby is in it! He is one of the children dancing round the Maypole!!!....
Margaret S Milligan[]
I got EWs autograph outside the post office in Newton stewart ! I also asked Diane Cilento if she was Britt Ekland, she was not amused! Ha ha!
Kath Potts[]
remember it well. also got EWs autograph. anyone remeber the double decker bus they went onto for their lunch?
Lisa Jayne Twiname[]
My pram is that up police close. (sic)
Margaret Maxwell McCormick[]
Can anyone mind the Wickerman being filmed , we stood outside the house next to the tollbooth and chanted “we want edward woodward” until he came out and waved to us, none of us really had a clue who he was just that he was meant to be famous lol
Kay Simpson McCrindle[]
I remember the outrage Brit Eckland caused by running the area down !!
May McMillan[]
I got to wear Edward Woodward’s police hat. Was very excited Lol
Olive Grant[]
Edward Woodward came and used our toilet ! - he was like royalty. We got free tickets to see the film in Stranraer
Betty Perry[]
Filmed in Ellangowan at Creetown, don’t know if Jim & Bud Gordon owned it then. Also filmed in the Steam Packet in Kirkcudbright.
Iain Crawford[]
We were all standing across the road from the polis station and they wanted a couple of kids to run across the road and get filmed. Sure it was In & Alan Gordon that were chosen.
Jenny Hughes[]
My mother lent the film company a lot of stuff from her shop to fill up the shop in the film. Her postcard stand was clearly visible in the film. Wanted to stand up in the theater when she saw the movie and announce that when she saw the postcard rack!
It was the wee shop on the corner of Dovecroft as my mother provided a lot of the stuff in it for the film crew from her newsagents shop opposite the caste. Wish I had still be in KBT to see the filming.
Charles Devlin[]
My old office in Ann Street Gatehouse was the hotel where??? (Green Man exterior)
Eleanor Walton[]
What role did your dad play as an extra?
Jennifer Baly[]
Joe was a choirboy
Carolyn Gordon[]
The filming of the Wickerman. The old Police Station (now art gallery?) on old High St was turned into a store. We would go along at break or lunch from Academy and watch them film. They gave out sweets in the shop window when finished. I had a sugar pig I treasured for years! (See one here, on the far left.)
Yes, Jim and Bud owned the Ellengowan when it was filmed there. Jim’s arm behind the bar is in one scene and the famous dance was filmed in Duncs bedroom. (sadly for him, he was not there.)
Was supposed to be Britt Ekland but was done by body double- local hairdresser Ian Jackson’s wife.
I got Edward Woodward’s autograph when he came to talk to us. He was a gentleman.
Kerry Bailey[]
I was a pupil at Kirkcudbright Academy when the film was being shot - I remember the canteen wagon outside the school gates and little bits of film blowing in the gutter - I wished now I’d picked some of the bits up!!”
I laugh and ask her, which scene used Kirkcudbright Academy?
She answers, “I don’t remember but it might have been when they were doing some filming at the Selkirk Arms?
Ian McGhie[]
I went to Kirkcudbright for the day as a extra got payed £3.50 which was good pay then , it was good fun mixing with the stars . They filmed the coffin scene in Alan Faulds workshop and the body in the coffin was Miss Birchman we went to the premiere if I remember right it was in the Regal Stranraer and I remember as we were leaving I hear her say that if she had know it was going to be a film like that she would never have been in it.
Mary Cumming[]
My brother lent them a coffin and it was Ken Davidson - The Viper who lay (in) it with pennies in his eyes.
Alan G James[]
I've managed to have a chat with an old friend who was in charge of the NTS Gardening School at Threave at that time, and for a good 30 years. Yes, he remembers it well! They parked a big caravan 'up the top', and paid 'a lot of money to use our premises, a thousand or so, but then it (the film shot there) wasn't used'. That scene was filmed 'in the potting-shed and glasshouses behind the Walled Garden'. He showed me slides from about that time, the glasshouses have long since been replaced, and I don't think the potting-shed's still standing. He told me 'they painted it all up inside', so you're probably right, John, where the sculpture is standing is probably a mock-up. And 'they wanted fruit-trees for some reason'
That's indeed the Walled Garden: the arrow's pointing to, and that photo was taken in, the very fine public glasshouse in that garden, which was reconstructed relatively recently. But the potting-shed and working glasshouses were on the far side of the wall, in the area partly hidden by trees in the GoogleEarth view. I think it's possible that the scene showing the glasshouse windows might have been filmed in a predecessor of the glasshouse in the Walled Garden, though Bill implied they used the working greenhouses. But the scene with the sculpture is in the potting shed. He doesn't have any photos of the filming, and I think any documents would now be in the archives of the National Trust for Scotland, in Edinburgh.
Yes, Bill Hean who was Head of the NTS Gardening School at Threave confirmed to me that they filmed in the (old, no longer extant, and not public) greenhouse. He recalls ' They wanted lots of fruit bushes'.
Dougie Toal[]
I think a lot of the cast stayed in The George Hotel.
John Fitzgerald[]
we where fishing under the old pier (Stranraer) and the police move us ,so the could do the seaplane shot always the wee rebel told them we where here first hee hee
Nic Outterside[]
Nic was the editor of The Galloway Gazette as Deputy Editor between 1992 and 1994 and returned to the paper as Editor between 1998 and 1999.
He made a number of postings about the film on Facebook. (1, 2, 3,4,) And this blog entry.
Peter Foster, the Galloway Gazette photographer in 1998/1999, gave all of 1972 GG photographer John McEwan's pics of the filming to the Newton Stewart Museum. They are still there. About 70 negatives, slightly fewer prints.
See the Galloway Gazette articles that we know about from 1972 and 1998/99 here.
Murray Nix[]
re 1998 reunion
John, that was the event that was covered on BBC Scotland. I can't recall now the title.
No, this was in January 1999: the 15, 16 & 17th - I recall the dates as the Saturday (the 16th) was my birthday. Allan Brown had a piece published in The Sunday Times about The Wicker Man and it included a mention that Bill Christie - who owned the Ellangowan - was running the 1st ever Wicker Man convention, with tours of the locations, screenings of the film, etc..
We arrived at the Ellangowan on a freezing cold Friday evening to find the hotel equally cold and absolutely nothing arranged. We even had to cajole him for a video recorder to play the VHS copy of the 102 minute version that Allan Brown had recently sent me and we pretty much had to make up our own tour. It was obviously a cynical attempt to cash in on poor January occupancy rates at the expense of Wicker Man fans.
Allan's book suggests there were "twenty devotees". I know for a fact that, myself included, there were 9 of us (including my g/f at the time and her two young children)... so realistically 6 "devotees". His book also suggests that we enjoyed "boarding a coach for location tours". There was no such coach and no location tour. We used our own cars and our own knowledge of where things were.
David J Lally: Re the 1999 reunion in the now shut Ellengowan yes I did attend!
Murray A. Nix: David, I was there myself. Yourself and a friend from Liverpool IIRC, John Swann, Gail Ashurst and her partner Stewart, myself and my ex and her two kids.
***
Jan 15-17, 1999
David Lally
(friend from Liverpool)
John Swann
Gail Ashurst
Stewart
Murray
3 - ex and two kids
***
Prior to the release of Allan's books, as you probably recall, I attended the 'First Ever Wicker Man" weekend* with Gail Ashurst, John Swann (an Encyclopedia of TWM knowledge) and a couple of others. We left Burrowhead and travelled North towards Mochrum and found a small, isolated ancient burial ground in the middle of fields which was cited as the grave scene location. It wasn't the graveyard in Mochum itself.
Mary Gollan[]
a reply from the Plockton Inn!
Dear John
Thanks for your email. I can certainly remember the film being made and the excitement in the village! I’m busy right now but when I have time tomorrow I’ll get back to you with plenty more info. I’ll forward your email to my iPad and reply from home. The girls looking out the window of Sannachan were all on my class in school.
Mary Gollan
reply: She goes over the Plockton home movie footage that is on YouTube.
Dear John
I looked at your link and can answer some of your questions. The old lady outside Sannachan was not the owner. She was called Shenac Mackenzie (and lived to be over 100). At 22 seconds the man is Ali Williams, 40 secs (in the foreground) are on left Andrew Matheson and Kenny John Mackenzie (there is a lot of footage of Kenny John), 56 secs Dick Macrae, 1.06 Johnny Macrae (nicknamed Bogles), 1.09 Charlie Macrae (nicknamed Cabbage), 1.58 Angus Murchison (nicknamed The Paul), 3.09 Lillian Peacock (she was the wife of the man taking the cine film and they owned the Plockton Hotel where it was all shot), 3.51 Boochan (barman in the hotel), 3.55 Bobby Kennedy. It was shot mainly in the back bar wih the later stuff in the cocktail bar.
The locals who welcomed Edward Woodward ashore were Peter Geddes, Murdo Gillies (owner or Sannachan), Kenny John Mackenzie and I can't remember who else. (The girl who fell out of the wardrobe is Rhoda Macleod.) I remember when they shot the scene of the seaplane landing that they cleared the harbour of all other boats and buoys so it was completely empty.
I'd need to see the film again to jog my memory but I do remember that the (locals involved where invited to the premier at Eden Court Theatre in Inverness) and were shocked and horrified at the nudity and sex in the film! Of all the people mentioned above, the only 2 still alive are Rhoda and Charlie.
Hope this answers some of your questions. Feel free to get in touch again if you wish.
Mary
Dear John
A bit more info for you. Didn't take you long to post my stuff on FB!! In answer to your questions, at 40s Andrew Matheson is the man in blue parka, 53 don't know, 56 is Dick, 1.26 is Ali Williams, 1.44 is Kenny John,1.56 don't know, 1.58 The Paul, 3.30 I reckon that's old footage of a wedding at Lochalsh Hotel, Kyle of Lochalsh that got mixed in by mistake, yes, that's the cocktail bar now, don't know man in cream jacket toasting camera, 4.06 is a man Matheson known as 'The Diver', 4.09 is Dick, 4.20 is KJ's dog Spunky, 4.26 is Ali Williams again.
Incidentally, Shenac at 22 is the mother of Kenny John. I had just started work as a girl in the Haven which was a guesthouse just round the corner from the Plockton Hotel and well remember the harbour master coming back from the PH the worse for wear, still wearing his harbour master's costume and late for dinner after a session in PH.
Dear John
Thanks for your email. The woman you ask about in the pic at the end of your email is Sandra Macdonald and I reckon that is shot in her own house which is not immediately beside the thatched cottage but next to it. Malcolm's grandfather shot the film and yes, that's his granny, Lilian Peacock. Johnny Macrae is Kenneth's great uncle. I tried to download movie after I wrote you today but no luck. I can only do very basic things on a computer!! You can copy my stuff to Facebook. I'll send this now, check your link on your first email again and answer some more of your questions later. Is there any easy way I can get a copy of the film downloaded?
Mary
I'll see what I can do about Rhoda. I'm actually spending the day with one of the girls who was in the window - Fay MacAskill so I'll ask her tomorrow. I'll speak to Charlie too. Not sure about the capital letters. Some people spell their name Macrae, others MacRae, others McRae and the same for all other Macs!! Another thought just come to me. A guy who works for us at Plockton Inn spent a whole day being filmed walking back and fore over the causeway playing a Jew's harp but the whole sequence ended up on the cutting room floor. I don't know if there is an uncut version of the Wicker Man? If I could get a look at the movie I'll be able to tell you lots more. All the stills you sent me are, I'm fairly certain, not in Plockton.
Mary
I've never written so many 'Dear John' letters in my life!! Fay is the girl in the orange top on the right in the close up. The other girl is Caroline Maclennan. I tried to get the movie on YouTube but no luck - probably my incompetence. Not sure that's what happened to the Escampador (this is the correct spelling).
Mary
(So in the pic with their masks on, L-R) Caroline Maclennan, Fay MacAskill.)
Sorry for not getting back to you before now. Alistair no longer works for us but I'll try and contact him. I did speak to him about it and I forget what he said - I think that's because he didn't have many memories!! Thanks for promoting us! Have you ever been to Plockton yourself?
I've sent him a message and am awaiting a reply. His surname is Mackay.
Mary:
Thought I'd drop you a note as I bumped into Rhoda today and asked her about memories of the Wicker Man. She didn't really have much to report but did say that her Dad took her and her brother to see the film in Inverness and were turned away as it was 'X' rated and her Dad said 'but my daughter is in the film'! Rhoda said he didn't know what it was about as indeed did most people; she said, as did Fay MacAskill (in the window with Rhoda), that their parents would never have let them be in it if they had known the content. Fay said her memory is the time off school, the fee, £70 she thinks (a huge amount then) and the smell of what she now knows as dope coming from the toilets as actors and crew had a fly puff! I asked about the Escampador and she did indeed meet her end being wrecked. She had been upside down for a while and had been turned the right way up in preparation for a move down to the south coast of England for refurbishment and that same night a storm came and she was swept away. I've forgotten to ask Alistair about the Jew's harp day but will do.
I think what happened is that I spoke to Alisdair and then failed to get in touch with you! He said that he and another guy, Iain Mackenzie (who passed away last November) spent I think, 3 mornings filming this scene and that Iain was riding a bike. This was the scene where Alisdair walked across the causeway playing a Jew's harp.
Mary Gollan
Whoever played the harbourmaster in the film (Russell Waters) stayed at the 'Haven', Plockton as I remember him coming back still dressed in his film clothes, for dinner having spent the early evening in Plockton hotel with other members of the cast and extras. Don't know where Edward Woodward stayed but I would assume Plockton hotel.
A person who'd prefer to be anonymous[]
I chatted on Facebook with someone who was there at the time of filming and picked up some interesting details. Also a few things I can’t share. I’ll keep the person’s name private too, calling her “the person” here.
Thank you John. It was a very interesting time. Although I wasn't an extra I was at a few events and even got asked out by the producer!
Wowl, lol.🙂
Would love to know anything else you remember though.
…the opening bar scenes shot in Creetown (Ellen Gowan) I think, can't remember the name of the pub. His close friend David Graham with the lovely blond flowing locks is there with him. They were set up real pints for the shot and said there were so many retakes ( I think Lyndsey Kemp was struggling with the accent, esp "polisman") they said they were quite pie eyed by the time they were happy with the scene.
You sent Today at 3:13 PM
Aha! Thanks
You sent Today at 3:13 PM
Yes, it was the Ellangowan. Great to confirm all this info.
The person sent Today at 3:17 PM
I will tell you that Christopher Lee put me quite off my free lunch by picking his nose whilst he was eating and Britt Ekland explained to her daughter what the men were doing with words "silly men!". I spent ages playing summer is a cumin in with one hand on our piano so the men could practice ...was it even in the film?
You sent Today at 3:18 PM
Here's a pic of Peter Snell, the producer. Does he look familiar? He's on the left.
(https://twm.fandom.com/wiki/File:Wmx_14.jpg)
You sent Today at 3:20 PM
Oh yes, they sing it as the Wicker Man burns. There are pics of huge cue cards since, as you say, everyone was in the pub beforehand.
The person sent Today at 3:23 PM
One of the men was standing behind Edward Woodward throughout his final speech on the cliff, which is why he is recognised I think. It was October, they had stuck plastic blossoms on the trees and put filters on the camera to make it look like summer. Mark was in his shirt sleeves and said he was absolutely freezing and totally fed up. Once you know that you can see it in his face.
The person sent Today at 3:25 PM
I don't particularly recognise Peter Snell, but is it Robin Hardy on the right?
You sent Today at 3:25 PM
And they put ice cubes in the mouths of the stars so their breaths couldn't be seen. It must have been tough to stand out there.
You sent Today at 3:26 PM
Yes, that's Robin on the right. Tony Shaffer, the screenwriter/playwright in the middle.
You sent Today at 3:31 PM
I'd be curious what your thoughts are if you looked through the many behind the scenes pics we've discovered. https://twm.fandom.com/wiki/Behind_the_scenes_-_still_pictures
The person sent Today at 3:33 PM
I recognise Robin because he asked me out. I think I've already told you that. I worked in the Queen's Arms at the time and he and a few others had a lock in. John Scoular the landlord was serving and I was just going off duty and was asked to join them. I wasn't too impressed when he told me I reminded him of his daughter then asked what I was doing Tuesday night. I said he'd have to ring me Monday as I didn't know. Thankfully he didn't, and I went out with friends only to find him dining in the same place with half the cast! Relieved to have swerved it as I was quite a shy 18 year old.
You sent Today at 3:35 PM
Wow. That's the first I've heard of him doing something like that. I've heard stories about Snell.
The person sent Today at 3:37 PM
It was quite possibly innocent, he maybe had intended me to be with the large group rather than on my own with him. I will never know.
You sent Today at 3:37 PM
Interesting.
The person sent Today at 3:37 PM
The boys were having a harder time with propositions.
You sent Today at 3:39 PM
Meaning they were propositioning girls or were they getting propositioned by men?
The person sent Today at 3:42 PM
The latter. The after film party was at Louden Mc Neil's as I remember it. It was all a bit scary for me. I remember the stripper who was the body double did a strip in the main lounge and Edward Woodward played the trumpet using his hands. He seemed very different to the others, a nice guy.
The person sent Today at 3:44 PM
I remember my friend had a bit of a thing with the guy who did the illustrations...was that Paul someone?
You sent Today at 3:46 PM
Wow. I have heard nothing of that. Re: the stripper, we've found out that her real name was Linda Peters as opposed to Lorraine. Unless there was a real stripper. Linda was a bona fide actress from London. We're still trying to figure out how Jane Jackson's story checks out, with her being the body double. Some think (someone in a sheepskin coat - I think that would be Snell) may have gotten a private movie out of her performance...
Yes, Edward has been universally acclaimed as a nice guy.
You sent Today at 3:47 PM
The illustrations? The only Paul that comes to mind is Paul Giovanni who was the music director (and is in the film.) The art director is Seamus Flannery.
The person sent Today at 3:53 PM
I know she had tracing paper with the sun pictures on it so I guess it was Seamus.... I'm remembering longish dark curly hair?
You sent Today at 3:54 PM
Yes. Here's a pic: (https://twm.fandom.com/wiki/File:Bts_seamus_flannery.jpg)
You sent Today at 3:56 PM
Do I have your permission to share this chat with fans? I could do it with your name taken out if you'd like.
The person sent Today at 3:57 PM
Yes ok, but take my name out. And yes I think that was the guy.
You sent Today at 3:58 PM
Great. Here's another pic of him that was shot on site: (https://twm.fandom.com/wiki/File:Semaus_flannery_by_dead_tree.jpg)
The person sent Today at 4:04 PM
Another memory that is very vivid is going up to Burrow head (the bar I mentioned earlier was a room at the entertainment centre in the camp. The shutters were down so not serving.) in the 50 seater coach in the morning. All the extras some of the b actors etc and me gate crashing. Lots of hubub and chat untill we reached the site and the coach driver decided to do a three point turn on the grassy cliff top with the back end going decidedly near the drop and everyone deathly quiet.
You sent Today at 4:04 PM
lol
You sent Today at 4:05 PM
Edward worried that he might roll too far when he was thrown down. It didn't seem too likely to me but I've never been there.
You sent Today at 4:07 PM
Was the camp the Burrowhead Holiday Village? I've seen some pics of it roughly around those days...
You sent Today at 4:09 PM
(That may be its name now. I forget what it might have been called then.)
The person sent Today at 4:09 PM
Yes, it's an old army camp. Come to think of it Harry would be bar manager there at the time.
You sent Today at 4:09 PM
Wow.
You sent Today at 4:10 PM
Are you in touch with them? We'd love to hear from whoever wants to share info.
The person sent Today at 4:10 PM
It's always been Burrow head, but sometimes holiday camp and sometimes holiday farm.
You sent Today at 4:10 PM
Ah yes.
The person sent Today at 4:11 PM
I am in touch with the men (she spoke of earlier) but they don't have good health. Will ask if they want to talk to you.
You sent Today at 4:11 PM
That'd be great. Thanks so much.
The person sent Today at 4:14 PM
I'm trying to remember two b actors on the bus....Ian someone (Henry?) Who'd been in Take the High road, and a little guy possibly in Para Handy. Where can I see photo's of the lesser actors?
You sent Today at 4:15 PM
I have put together a cast list but it doesn't have pics of them. imdb.com might be a good place to check out once you've got the names. https://twm.fandom.com/wiki/Cast_and_Crew
The person sent Today at 4:16 PM
It might be the guy on the right in the photo above.
You sent Today at 4:16 PM
This site has pop up pics of some... https://steve-p.org/wm/plot.htm
You sent Today at 4:17 PM
Which pic?
The person sent Today at 4:18 PM
The last one you put up with the ladder in.
You sent Today at 4:18 PM
The guy on the right there is Seamus.
You sent Today at 4:18 PM
I don't know who the others are in that pic. Crew.
You sent Today at 4:27 PM
Going through the list looking for Ians. Ian Campbell played Oak. He was a pro wrestler. Ian Cutler was the fiddler. Ian Robinson - I don't think he made it into the movie. There's an Ian as a maypole dancer, a school kid. There's an Ian Selby who played a parishioner, very much a b actor... And Edward Woodward's stand-in was Ian Manners.
You sent Today at 4:28 PM
(Oak is the big burley guy who carries EW up to the Wicker Man...)
The person sent Today at 4:29 PM
No not the wrestler, he did have a moustache and as I say he'd been in 'Take the High Road'.
You sent Today at 4:32 PM
imdb has a search where you can combine films to see who's in both. It found alot! https://www.imdb.com/search/name/?roles=tt0070917,tt0163499
You sent Today at 4:33 PM
Of those, the man with the mustache might be Charles Kearney.
The person sent Today at 4:34 PM
Yes! Thats him, sorry about the Ian! He was on the coach.
You sent Today at 4:35 PM
He played the butcher and is also in the Landlord's Daughter scene.
You sent Today at 4:35 PM
I heard he died within the past couple of years.
You sent Today at 4:37 PM
(He wears a white shirt in the bar scene.)
The person sent Today at 4:38 PM
Can you name the other man, small, quite Weasley faced, I keep thinking he was Ralph someone...but that's probably as accurate as Ian ha ha!
You sent Today at 4:38 PM
lol, that's pretty hard.
The person sent Today at 4:38 PM
He had a speaking part.
You sent Today at 4:38 PM
In what scene?
The person sent Today at 4:39 PM
In the bar I think. Ellen Gowan.
You sent Today at 4:40 PM
Lindsay Kemp?
The person sent Today at 4:43 PM
No not him. But quite like him.
You sent Today at 4:46 PM
You're full of lots of good stories!
The person sent Today at 4:49 PM
It was big in our little lives in the Isle.
The person sent Today at 4:49 PM
One of our male friends was offered a four figure sum to go on holiday with someone, don't know who. He declined.
You sent Today at 4:50 PM
hmm.
You sent Today at 4:55 PM
Back to weaselly faced... Mr Lennox?
The person sent Today at 5:02 PM
No not Mr Lennox. This guy is quite well known, lovely plummy voice. I'm not sure I have many more memories.
(She talked about a horse and cart seen in the movie coming from Hugh Ramsey.)
The person sent Today at 5:03 PM
Oh perhaps the last piece of info I can give you is that Jackie Maltman our art teacher is also one of the extras on the hill side in the final scenes.
You sent Today at 5:03 PM
Yes, others have ID'd him.
You sent Today at 5:04 PM
I wondered about (the cart) and asked people who know about carts who told me what kind it was.
You sent Today at 5:06 PM
(I don't remember what kind it is now though. Harder to find that info than a pic...)
You sent Today at 5:11 PM
Mr Maltman.
The person sent Today at 5:11 PM
Yes, lovely man.
You sent Today at 5:12 PM
🙂
You sent Today at 5:13 PM (I shared a screencap of the crowd as they were singing while Howie burned.)
Isobel (Downes) on the right. A friend of Sheena Sanderson/Charity.
https://screenmusings.org/movie/dvd/The-Wicker-Man/pages/The-Wicker-Man-819.htm
You sent Today at 5:13 PM
I think that's Sheena on the other side of Ash.
The person sent Today at 5:14 PM
I think Katie Vance may be in that crowd too.
You sent Today at 5:14 PM
What's she wearing?
The person sent Today at 5:15 PM
No idea.
You sent Today at 5:15 PM
(Sheean lived at Lochinch Castle where some scenes were shot.)
You sent Today at 5:16 PM
lol, now can you tell? (I posted a screencap of the crowd from Howie’s POV.)
https://screenmusings.org/movie/dvd/The-Wicker-Man/pages/The-Wicker-Man-798.htm
The person sent Today at 5:17 PM
I'd have to watch the film. It's the other view, where they appear on the hill top.
You sent Today at 5:17 PM
Ah.
You sent Today at 5:18 PM
Equally hard... (I posted a screencap of the crowd after Howie came out of the hole.)
https://screenmusings.org/movie/dvd/The-Wicker-Man/pages/The-Wicker-Man-647.htm
You sent Today at 5:19 PM
I don't expect you to figure it out...
You sent Today at 5:19 PM
However... if you watch the film again and anything jumps out at you, we'd love to know about it.
The person sent Today at 5:21 PM
Can see Harry in the sky blue shirt but can't pick her out.
You sent Today at 5:21 PM
🙂
You sent Today at 5:22 PM
The film can be found online for free... I'm trying to find a link...
The person sent Today at 5:22 PM
Oh I have a copy and a book , maybe two.
You sent Today at 5:23 PM
Great!
You sent Today at 5:26 PM
I'm going to get up and walk around. Thanks so much for all this great info. I really appreciate it. And it there's anything else you want to share, we look forward to it.
You sent Today at 5:26 PM
if
The person sent Today at 5:27 PM
Ok.
The person sent Today at 5:27 PM
Nice talking.
You sent Today at 5:28 PM
Cheers!
She wrote a little later:
Aubrey Morris....the other chap I was trying to remember.
You sent Today at 6:37 PM
Aha!
You sent Today at 6:39 PM
He's quite a character. I remember him from Clockwork Orange.
The person sent Today at 6:40 PM
Yes. He was on the coach too, not sure who else.
You sent Today at 6:40 PM
Amazing details. I love it.
You sent Today at 6:41 PM
Check out Steve P's cast list from this link: https://steve-p.org/wm/plot.htm It has pop ups for some of the actors. Maybe one will ring a bell.
The person sent Today at 6:42 PM
I forgot to say the Louden McNeil (where the party was) was the local Laird.
You sent Today at 6:42 PM
Laird being like a mayor? landowner?
The person sent Today at 6:43 PM
Landowner beyond Newton Stewart.
You sent Today at 6:43 PM
Aha.
You sent Today at 6:43 PM
They own pubs?
The person sent Today at 6:45 PM
No, that's a landlord. A laird is Scots for Lord. Has an estate. Lord of the manor
You sent Today at 6:45 PM
I see.
You sent Today at 6:45 PM
As you may be able to tell, I'm American.
The person sent Today at 6:46 PM
His house was big enough for everyone. I had just twigged you're American.
You sent Today at 6:46 PM
Aha.
You sent Today at 6:46 PM
lol
The person sent Today at 6:47 PM
Do you think you will ever travel over to see these places?
You sent Today at 6:48 PM
Possibly. With the 50th anniversary of the film being shot being next year, we're thinking of touring around. Covid may prevent that.
You sent Today at 6:49 PM
To be honest, I've seen so many of them and studied them for so long, I don't really need to see them but it would be fun certainly to see some. Anwoth, for example and it would be nice to sing in the Ellangowan but I hear that is having trouble...
The person sent Today at 6:49 PM
Fifty years! I guess it is!
You sent Today at 6:50 PM
lol
The person sent Today at 6:54 PM
The bit you have to see is the cliff top. Even tho the legs are no longer there. The stiff breezes and the shiny tussocky grass plus the surging sea against the rocks below will give you a much better idea of why everyone was a bit nervous. Beside Whithorn and the Isle are the seat of Christianity in Scotland, from about the year 350 people have pilgrimages there which makes it a "thin place" ie somewhere you can really feel another world breaking in.
You sent Today at 6:55 PM
Interesting.
You sent Today at 6:55 PM
It certainly is a special place for me regardless of whether I actually get to visit.
The person sent Today at 7:00 PM
I've looked at the cast list but no bells are ringing with the other names. So I'm done for now. Bye
You sent Today at 7:01 PM
OK. Again, I thank you so much for all this great info!
The person sent Today at 7:01 PM
No problem.
You sent Today at 7:01 PM
Cheers.
I sent
(Thinking about the cart... The pic I showed you may well have been a different cart than the one you had used. There are cart scenes in a few places. The pic I showed was probably taken in England actually, at the estate of David Hemmings which is where the shots of the phallic topiary were taken. Also the pregnant women waking through the orchards touching blossoms. It's more likely that the cart seen in other shots like as Howie approaches Culzean and the fire dance shot at Castle Kennedy, is not the same one used in England... Good for me to know... Thanks!)
Yesterday at 9:14 PM
Sun 9:14 PM
You sent Yesterday at 9:14 PM
Also, I looked up Louden McNeil. I found this guy. Is he the guy? https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/officers/fyLNW_VxobjSVUXWlV4YsOrLl0Y/appointments
You sent Yesterday at 9:52 PM
I guess I'm more curious to know where the after film party was (at Louden McNeil's). Is it possible to show me on a map or give me an address that I can look up? I like to know where all these locations are. S cell phone pic of a mark on a Google map or screencap would work great. Thanks! (Does it have another name?)
Today at 3:21 AM
The person sent Today at 3:21 AM
Louden passed away a long time ago so I'm assuming the details you have found are a younger relatives. Not sure he had a son. I'll see what I can find out.
The person sent Today at 3:48 AM
https://images.app.goo.gl/ZQ38rnPA4mK2fLMs6
The person sent Today at 3:48 AM
Shennaton House was where the party was held.
The person sent Today at 3:54 AM
Like all landed gentry there was more house than money so the fixtures and furnishings were old and well loved.
You sent Today at 10:20 AM
Wonderful. Thank you so much. That's just what I was looking for. No need to research it any further.
PS Fans are loving what I've shared: https://www.facebook.com/groups/762321744318111/permalink/842680919615526/
You sent Today at 10:45 AM
Also, if you or anyone you know have any pics, home movies or documents from the filming, we'd love to see them. Thanks!
The person sent Today at 10:51 AM
If only we'd had mobile phones with cameras in those days eh? !
You sent Today at 10:52 AM
Yes! I still am amazed though at what people have. Sue MacDougal's pics for example, and this home movie taken in Plockton: https://youtu.be/64ZtqqUuYvk
You sent Today at 10:55 AM
And this one of how they got that last shot! https://twm.fandom.com/wiki/File:Alan_Linda_McGhie_4.jpg
The person sent Today at 11:00 AM
I didn't hang round any more than I've already said, a lot of it was shot too far away and I didn't drive. Plus I was working and also a bit nervous that I might be found out as a gate crasher as it were. Also I wasn't really a star struck kind of person, my boss remarked at the end of the lock in, "you were amazing, you treated him ( Robin Hardy) just like anyone else, and I was surprised to think I would treat him differently. My main motivation for the bits I went to was a free lunch and a free party. Though the latter wasn't much fun on the night. Spent most of it sitting in the hall. Just wanted to clarify when I said Edward Woodward was playing the trumpet with his hands I meant he didn't have an instrument, just used his fingers to make the noise and it sounded just like a trumpet, he did a whole song.
Fiona Blaen[]
Update on quote when fire being doused in Wickerman. Edward Woodward "This is bloody dangerous, I'm getting out". Elliot Robb (fireman) "Its okay for you, I'm going in to put it out"
Marjorie Mcauliffe[]
My dad was a police Sergeant in Newton Stewart when it was filmed John. The crew borrowed his uniform for Edward Woodward. Not his number though, they probably wouldn't be allowed to use a real one.
I remember Edward Woodward fell in a bog while wearing the uniform John. My mum and dad along with others in the community who had helped in any way were invited to the end of film party at the Cally Palace outside Gatehouse and they also went to the premier at Newton Stewart Cinema. You are right about the auditions being held at Douglas House but I don't know anything about a temperance hotel. I remember Edwards and think it maybe where Inspirations is now, if not it could be one of the shops either side of it. A lot of my friends were in the film as extras. I remember my neighbour who would be about 11 at the time was one of the children who was dancing round the Maypole and when Diane Cillento rung the school bell the children were so enthusiastic they knocked her down running back into the school so they had to retake it. Unfortunately my dad died a few years back so I can't ask him now but I will ask my sister who is older than me to see if she remembers more. Hope this is of some interest to you John and if I remember more I will get back to you.
Thanks for the link I found it really interesting. I don't remember any of the girls in the maypole scene John but my neighbour was Garry Da Prato who I think was still at St Ninians Primary School at the time and I know of at least one other pupil from that school who was in that scene but can't remember his name. Unfortunately Garry has passed away so can't ask him. A couple of girls I was at school with had their photos taken and appeared in the film as former May Queens. I see it is being broadcast tonight so I think I will tape it as it is lovely to see some old friends in it. My old English teacher recently told me that she was asked if her door knocker* could be filmed as it was large and quite gothic, I'm sure it was in the Main Street in Whithorn. Hope this is helpful.
The door knocker was definitely not in Kirkcudbright it was in Whithorn and I think it was in the Main Street there, it was my English teachers mums house. I went to The Douglas Ewart High School. It is being broadcast tonight on ITV4 at 11.15. My friends mum and also an art teacher from the Douglas Ewart , were in the last scene where they were all holding hands and singing as the sun set when they were burning the Wicker Man. It was filmed at Burrowhead beside the Isle of Whithorn as you probably know. I'm seeing my sister in the next few days so will ask her what she remembers, especially about the police's involvement as I'm sure she will remember more than me. I do remember that she got some of the stars autographs when she was up the street in Newton Stewart. It was quite an exciting time for our corner of Galloway as you can imagine John.
* The door knocker they are talking about is next to the whithorn library, not the bear one I like.
Should have said I went to the Ewart from 1970 til 1975 so I was about 12 when it was filmed.
I lived in Newton Stewart during the filming of The Wicker Man. My neighbour Garry Da Prato who would be about 13 at the time was one of the children who danced round the maypole and I remember him telling me that when they were filming they all ran into the school when Diane Cillento rang the school bell and they were in such a rush they knocked her over and they had to film that bit again. My father who was the police sergeant in Newton Stewart loaned his uniform to Edward Woodward. It was quite surreal living there at the time seeing all these stars walking along the Main Street. Many of my school friends were extras and I still enjoy watching the film today as I still recognise them.
Ian Thomas
Thanks for sharing Marjorie. Did you see Britt Ekland driving her sports car through the town at all?
Marjorie Mcauliffe
Don't ever remember seeing that. They stayed in The Kirroughtree Hotel about a mile out of town so only were in the town periodically. I think some may have stayed in the Cally Palace near Gatehouse. I also remember Edward Woodward fell in a bog during filming so my dads police jacket had to be sent to the dry cleaners. My mum and dad and some other police officers were invited to see the premier in the Cinema in Newton Stewart and also the end of film party at the Cally Palace. They were very good at thanking the locals for all their support.
Ian Thomas
Great anecdotes - i was going by what i read in a book on the film about Britt driving through the town seeking attention but not getting much! I know the local auditions were held in the town too.
Marjorie Mcauliffe
The auditions were held in Douglas house which was council owned at the time and was where you started from when sitting your driving test. The house is now privately owned and is used as a home and a base for an antiques business. I believe it is now up for sale.
Anne Brown[]
6/27/20
I lived in Newton Stewart - my husbands family owned The Galloway Gazette - then a good local newspaper. I am a journalist and radio producer. I was asked by Anthony Shafer if I would be available to do some running around for them - which I did, including spending one memorable day looking for a suitable cave to film in up the west coast from Stranraer to Ballantrae, with the charming Christopher Lee. While the film crew and stars were still there we started a new newspaper in Girvan, and Edward Woodward came and cut a ribbon to open it! That's just a bit of it all - I had a great time
I have to say that apart from the scenery and all the recognisable places and some local people in the film, I think it’s dreadful! But Shafer gave me tickets for the Premiere of Cabaret in London as a thank you - and I thought that was wonderful!
I mention the various articles written by The Galloway Gazette around the time of the filming.
6/28 I probably wrote some of those articles - and certainly worked with John McEwen, who just died last year.
Some of those pics are very nostalgic! Britt E looks as miserable as she really was - she absolutely hated Newton Stewart, said God blinked when he created it, and that all the men in the town were basically yokels and they all wanted to sleep with her! She stayed at the then unmodernised Kirroughtree House Hotel - where she had to queue for the bathroom - no private ones in those days! Archie Plunkett, who had a shop in the town, was Provost at the time and had to go into print to defend the place after she gave a very critical interview to the News of the World! She was definitely not a happy bunny! The others were much more accepting of the old fashioned air if the place!
Martin Lochhead[]
during the time of filming I worked at Felsons (sheet metal work) in Kings Road (Whithorn?) we had to alter a metal coffin which was uses as a baking mould which wouldn’t fit in I think Walkers baker Creetown lads being lads we needed a volunteer to try it out but he wasn’t very keen we’re you Kenny 😀
Amanda Sunderland[]
Her interview with Ian Thomas in 2014.
Phil Heslop[]
Memories of Phil Heslop who lived at 59 George St, where Willow’s, Howie’s and Alder’s bedrooms were shot as being upstairs at the Green Man. Some are chat messages between him and I. (See also the floorplans he has revised.)
6/12/20
Jamie Stuart: So you lived in this house?
Phil Heslop: Jamie Stuart Yes, up until 1972. It was in the process of being sold when British Lion used it as a location for the WM. My mother ran the Grocer's shop. My claim to fame is that Brit Eckland was naked in my bedroom lol
Jamie Stuart: Did the production company dress the rooms specially for filming or were the furniture and pictures your family's own ?
Phil :Jamie Stuart Everything was brought in. I remember they fitted a sink in my bedroom, but it was taken out again before filming. Where you see Willow (body double) writhing naked against a door, during Willow's Song, supposedly next to Howies room, it was actually a built-in wardrobe. The cables going into the house were about a foot deep at the front door...before the days of digital.
3/21/16
Regarding the Wicker Man...My mother and I lived at 59 George Street, Whithorn, Wigtownshire, Scotland. The property was owned by Peter & Olive Fletcher and there was a shop below, which was Robert McEwan (Grocers),,My mother was manager of this shop. In 1972/73, my mother decided to re-marry and live with her new partner. During this interim period, British Lion rented 59 George St, for filming purposes. I can remember them converting what was once my bedroom, to a film set. I can also remember the vast amount of cables, running through the front door of the house. My bedroom was used to film the now infamous Brit Eckland nude scene (body double used), and Edward Woodward was filmed in my mother's bedroom, to the rear of the house.
My mother is reported to have assisted with the make-up of the stars, but I have no recollection of this.
The animals that were used inside the Wicker Man itself, came from Glasserton Bank farm (Also known as 'Cherry Valley'), just outside Whithorn. The farm belonged to my ex-brother-in-laws's family.
When Willow does her dance, she is actually gyrating against a double door cupboard, in my room. Watch closely and you will see the split down the middle and two doorknobs grin emoticon not the bedroom door as we are supposed to assume
(I show him pics of a recent sale of the house.)
Me: Oh, I think this is the version that was from the most recent sale. It also had divided her room into two. I can see where I blocked that door off and erased the wall…
Phil: Aye, maybe due to renovations. My room (Willows room) was at one time, divided in two, but I can't remember if we converted it to one room, or whether the film company did it. Got a feeling it was the film company, but can't be sure
Yes, the door was closer to the stairs and opened inwards to the bedroom.
Just watched the Wicker Man again...there are quite a few scenes that I know the location of
My bedroom and my mothers bedroom were separated by a stair well..one to the front, one to the rear of the house. Sgt Howie was filmed at the rear of the house. There was also a window that faced the rear in my bedroom, which appears briefly in the film. When I get my internet back, I'll put up some screenshots
3/25/16
It was a long time ago and maybe my memory has failed me somewhat. I do remember for certain, the location of the fireplaces and the double built in cupboard.
Howies room had a white marble fireplace at the end of the room. This must have been the main bedroom at one time. I don't think the pictures were any of my family, so, most probably they were stage props.
Me: On to another subject: In another thread somewhere you mentioned that you vaguely remembered a rape scene in the back yard. There is a scene that made it into (some?, he says without checking) versions of the movie that had Lord Summerisle offering a young man to Willow who we see in her bedroom window, as well as Howie looking out at them from his. That’s the closest I know of anything like that. Was that what you were thinking of or was there another scene that never made it into any version. If so, it would be real find as it’s never been mentioned as far as I know. Many thanks.
Phil: As far as I know, there was a rape scene, filmed at 59 George St. I can only go by hearsay on this matter. The rapist was filmed coming out of the rear window of Willows room. I cannot vouch for this, I heard this from local gossip
Me: Have you gotten a chance to see the movie again? I’m curious what your thoughts of it are. (Which version did you see?)
Phil: As I say, local gossip. I moved house to the Black Hawk Inn, in Whithorn. It is there I heard about the rape scene. Seemingly, they filmed a man coming out of the rear window of Willows room. One local is reported to have shouted "Get your big hairy arse our of there", during the take.
Me: Do you have any souvenirs of all this?
Phil: No souvenirs. I didn't think this was going to end up as a cult movie...to me, it was just 'the film people'
Phil: My mother Re-married a hotelier at that time and we went to live with him at The Black Hawk Inn, in Whithorn. The directors would meet at the Hawk, after the days filming.
Me: Brown mentions that she remembered seeing a naked female butt “flash by at the top of the stairs.” Gary Carpenter was the official towel-holder for Willow so he may remember some of that and other bits about your house.
***
3/27/16
His house used to be a grocery shop. That has been removed and new stonework shows out front. The former owner was Peter and Olive Fletcher. Previous name on the front was MacEwan.
library
He doesn’t remember the library as it was then except that you went in and it was on the right. So, the office we see as the registrar would have been on the left.
***
3/28/16
Phil adds 4 pics. Two “orange” pics, a portrait of the WM and one of a behind the scenes shot of EW and a crewman at 2 George St. What they were doing at 2 George St, we don’t know.
This is a girl in the photo and her name is Catherine Chamberlain, Byron Chamberlain's daughter. The poodle was owned by Bill Chamberlain (her grandfather). Bill used to own the Cinema, more or less across the road from 59 George St, Whithorn...
There was a hairdresser’s shop at 59. Declan’s pics might be of a different place though…
(6/11/16 addition
The new pic from BBC Coventry shows a room with some dolls. House search? Upstairs at May Morrisons?
3/29/16
Phil puts up a revised map. it shows Howie’s room with the window too far back. He’s seen the theatrical version.
4/1/16
He’s putting up shots from the Director’s Cut!
Rape scene is probably scene 46 from Shaffer script.
46 EXT: THE BACK GARDEN OF THE GREEN MAN - NIGHT
Lord Summerisle passes his willow sapling and dagger to
the youth, who starts rhythmically to chop off all the
branches, until the sapling is stripped. The youth
then moves forward and plants it firmly, questioningly
under Willow‘s window.
10/10/19
Whithorn FB group of Phil’s
pic of 59 George St from the street:
Willow's bedroom was top right of 59, Alder's bedroom was top left and Howie's room was at the rear.
Linda Martin That's right also up the pend they put artificial flowers in aunty Lena's garden to make it look a different time of the year
Phil Heslop Yup I remember that clearly, it was artificial trees, in blossom.
Linda Martin Yes that's correct after they filmed they gave her some and she had them in a vase for years.
Me Phil, what scene do we see those in? Your backyard?
Phil Heslop Best scene is where the Lord presents his young accomplice to Willow. The trees were in next doors garden, 55 George st. Willow is at my rear bedroom window.
Phil on chat:
Phil: Did you see the post regarding the 'tin coffin', John Barleycorn? This alteration would have been made at the sheet metal factory in Kings Road, Whithorn. The factory was owned by an American woman. She drove a Jensen Interceptor.
Me: Yes, love these little tidbits we’re getting.
Billy Mc Gowan[]
Well, The majority of the boys in the Maypole scene were selected from the same year I was from the year above but decided that the film would be all the better if I was in it, the selection process was in the Douglas Ewart High School the old B block school gym hall on a Saturday , I believe I had football that morning and as we had the use of the changing rooms I noticed strange activity in the main hall and Fairplay to the film director for I had no sooner opened the gym hall doors to find out what was afoot then I heard the shout I need that Boy in my Movie . followed by learning the song and having it recorded, upon arrival at the site at Anwoth I was amazed at the trouble they had gone to tying pink crepe paper to the trees to make it look like apple blossom , We had 2/3 days on site at Anwoth with a brown envelope at the end containing about 75p however we ate well from the catering van I believe I had roast duck and all the autographs we wanted I got 50p when I sold my Edward Woodward autograph to a friend ( more money than sense ) apart from getting a clip round the ear from Mr Woodward for knocking his hat out of his hand in the first take of us all running into the classroom scene the biggest shock was when we entered the class, the supposed school girls were all grown up women yet in the film they look like schoolgirls , pure magic . I had a student contact me from a Manchester place of learning who was doing a study on the Wickerman and was certainly putting in the legwork for her project this was a while back and I have lost her details so I don't know what became of her work, now a little gem for you Shallow grave the film with Euan Mcgregor the ten minutes he sits watching the new tv in his room the film he is watching is the Wickerman with big scene shots of the Maypole dance .
Hannah Brooks Did they record you singing at all?
Billy Mc Gowan yes we spent more time practicing that fecking song than anything else.
Hannah Brooks Did they keep your singing voices on the film soundtrack?
Billy Mc Gowan I couldn't be certain but it was definitely recorded and we gave what was asked.
Hannah Brooks Actress Lesley Mackie was 21 in the classroom scene! I didn't find this out until recently 😂
Billy Mc Gowan 21 yes that was old in the 70s. We were well versed with the song and the content and sang like larks, appear in the film and given two free tickets for the Newton Stewart cinema... Alas I was not old enough to visit an X rated movie and had to wait several years before I purchased on VHS.
a coffin was supplied for the film , sinks and small items and the bath from Alex Mc Cleary , If the son remembers any thing more you will here from me . .
Betty Houston[]
Well she (Britt) was quite insulting to the women of Galloway ! said we were all whores ! I still haven't forgiven her !!!! What really bugged me was that I was a 16 year old waitress who sadly was pregnant, I felt Britt was directing her words at me ! All the others were so kind too me.
The local butcher in creetown William Lindsay danced in maypole scene , there are 2 local woman who were barmaid at the time still live in village, my great aunt betty fed them all. her daughter is still alive and has all their autographs !
Creetown Now and Then (group administrator)[]
Some of the main cast stayed in Kirroughtree Hotel, Newton Stewart. A lot of them ate in The Tavern (no longer in existence, I worked there as a teenager at the time), a restaurant attached to the Galloway Arms Hotel, Newton Stewart.
This is a photo of the fire tender which was in attendance for 4 days at Burrowhead with retained fireman Elliot Robb from Newton Stewart during filming of the burning of the Wicker Man. They used flames behind the structure to give the impression it was on fire and 4 times it got too hot and the structure had to be cooled. One time it actually caught fire while Edward Woodward was in it and Elliot Robb who was there for the 4 days of filming had to climb into the structure. E W said "I am trying to get out" and Elliot said "and I am trying to get in" as he had to climb in with hose to put fire out. This photo came from Mr Robb. Hope it is one you can add to the collection, (Probably this pic.)
Julia Nicholson[]
I remember my dad making the platted bread and various stuff for the film.
my Dad was called Meldrum Harvey and he worked in walkers bakery and eventually bought the bakery of(f) the Walker sisters. The ovens where all the stuff was made was used in the film. remember the styrofoam large sun bread as dad has it on the wall of the bakery for years.
Colin Belton · Garden Supervisor at Logan Botanic Garden[]
I was a little surprised at you not mentioning Logan Botanic Garden, as filming was also carried out there. Scenes were shot along the Cordyline Walk and towards the Veranda. The two round clay pots that sat on the wall in front of the latter have now been relocated to the front entrance, either side of the main gate. The gardener also filmed in one of the sequences at Logan was the head gardener/curator at the time, Martin Coledge, who is still visiting the garden from time to time.
Eileen McGillivray[]
They also filmed some scenes inside Lochinch Castle and in the grounds The.Butler told me they watched Brit Eckland do the swimming scene in the loch.....
Yes that is true about the swim in the loch and the Butler watching the filming..But Ekland caused offence by comments she made about Scottish girls
I worked in the castle where Christopher Lee runs up stairs and along the corridor. Amazingly he then turns into a totally different living room...lol..
Alas,I worked there in the late 1990s I worked with a lady who was in one of the scenes with a mask. She has passed away now though.If I do hear anymore I will get back to you.
Susanne Thompson[]
couple of my school friend were in it they can be seen in the circle round the wickerman when its burning also wen they are running about way masks on earlier in the film , Edward woodward shot a scene down pier he was getting off the rowing boat it was the first time id seen someone comb there eyebrows way a wee comb lol
lassies names were Andrea Thomson and Sheena Sanderson, sheena liked (lived) at lochinch her dad worked there, i remember them saying they had wee put wee plaits in there hair. Brit Ekland got one of her people to tell them to take Plats out. next thing there she was way plaits , cant remember how much they got paid but remember it seemed a lot. they were about 12 i think.
Anita Milby[]
I heard from a gentleman in gatehouse his friend was an extra, £18.00 a day & was drunk by lunch time, seems he was sitting outside a pub for a scene & they had to retake is which meant topping up his pint
Some of it was shot at gardens out here last castle Kennedy
Anne Haddow[]
I met Edward Woodward. They had big posh trailers for the actors parked all along Agnew Crescent (Stranraer)
Richard Stonham[]
I watched a couple of scenes being filmed from the Old Pier (Stranraer) in 1972/73.
Edward Woodward as the policeman with a loud hailer from the flying boat. He was actually no more than 20 feet from the pier! Lol
Martin George Sproule[]
My Gran May Sproule (nee Rankin) used to tell as story about meeting the cast. She said that Christopher Lee and Edward Woodward were in the George Hotel drinking and she asked Woodward for his autograph but he became rude and belligerent. Christopher Lee stopped him in his tracks and apologised to my Gran and gave her an autograph and bought her a drink. She said he was the epitome as a gentleman. Apparently Christopher Lee reminded Woodward, in not so nice terms, that if someone pays to see him in a film and are a fan then he owes them his time. (The only story I've heard of EW being rude…)
(Another post later on) My gran would tell the story about meeting Edward Woodward and Christopher Lee. She was in the George Hotel and she approached Edward Woodward and asked for his autograph, he was apparently very rude and essentially suggested she wasn't worth his time. Well upon seeing this Christopher Lee approached gave her an autograph and reminded Mr Woodward that it's fans who pay money to see the films they make, that afford him a privileged life. (Billy Pele Mcwhirter) they seem to have been rude yet they ate out off a old Caravan at Burrow Head . pretty common lol. Martin George Sproule: after that encounter my gran was adamant that Christopher Lee was the epitome of a gentleman, and she lost all respect for Woodward
Liz Coles[]
My brother was in the film. He pulled a cart across a beach..
Jo Hanley[]
yes i do , i worked on the set , met christopher lee
Phil Heslop Don't suppose you have any any photos?
Jo Hanley no sorry i dont , i only washed the pots , but its my claim to fame from when i lived in stranraer lol
(another post) well I worked on the set , I thought I was going to be a film star , when I got there I was put in a big trailer washing the pots , although I did actually meet christpher lee , lol
Robert Kell[]
Either my memory is faulty ,quite possible by the way, but I think I watched part of this being filmed in Stranraer. also remember Edward Woodward being brilliant with all the kids that were swarming about.
Margaret Milwain[]
I worked for George Edwards photographer then and he did lots of still photography for the film (!) and we developed them, the dark room scenes were filmed in the shop(!) and Edward Woodward and some of the cast was there for days, I had photos of us with them and photos of them filming, wish I'd kept them all but didn't think it would end up being so popular lol.
I had photos and autographs but I'm always clearing out lol 😊
It was George Edwards Sport Shop 17 Victoria Street where Sue Ryder charity shop is now.
I always remember George was a bit old fashioned and was shocked when he was asked to take photos of Britt Ekland topless with body painted.
There was a long garden from the river up to the back of the shop and some scenes were filmed there,think it was a chase scene with Edward woodward.
The photos of Brit were taken away from the town but can't remember where.
Two of the other extras were Betty Dickson, now in Ayrshire, and Mrs Findlay from Creetown. I was desperate to go but too pregnant!
I was at the opening in jan 74. My daughter was born in fri. I was asked if I needed two seats as I was so pregnant!
Husband projectionist
Fiona Lowe[]
My hubby was in the film, it was so funny watching them dancing and singing found the maypole.
Everytime I see the film, I kill myself laughing at Jim and his mates dancing round the Maypole, chanting....
On my claim to fame.. . My mum did laundry for Brit Eckland and couple of others, lol...
That wee the tub musta been ready to burst.
Early 70's
My mum and my auntie Betty worked at the Douglas House, cleaning etc. And they used this location for much of the equipment/props/clothes etc.
So both of them ended up doing a lot of the personal laundry for the cast. Wasn't any laundrettes back then.
I remember being excited at all the fancy stuff going into the auld washing machine in the kitchen.
Yes most definitely a good memory for me.
Shirley Marshall[]
I remember that besom Britt Ekland being horrible about the area afterwards. Very derogatory. I think Mr Maitland from Douglas Ewart was an extra. Vicky Wilson am I right in saying my uncle john built the coffin for Britt.?
Joan Blain[]
I went to watch them filming the grave scene at Anwoth old graveyard and got Christopher Lee’s autograph. Have since lost it though.
I remember Mrs Findlay peeking through the net curtains... lol 😂
Maggie Bennett[]
My mum Nurse Bennett took me to see it being filmed.....I had nightmares afterwards!! 😂😂😂
Hazel Kirk[]
My grampa supplied all the hens , ducks , geese for inside the wicker man , my uncle and I was there for 2 weeks of filming . remember the film was first shown at the Cally Pally Hotel,, gatehouse of fleet, my nana and grampa went to it .
it was the Premiere Showing of the film before it went to the cinema,,, remember my nana and grampa getting dressed up for it ,, Mr and Mrs John Christie , from Cherry Valley Farm ,, remember too that’s the first time I ever had “ bubble and squeak” from the food caravan ,,, I got permission to talk the 2weeks off school ,, was filmed in the Library in Whithorn, and a house before The Pend in Whithorn too .i have the dress that nana wore that night .
David Cronnie[]
I used to go for my dinner from primary school to the ellangowan in creetown I can remember sitting chatting to Edward Woodward on the stairs several times I can remember him sitting in his police uniform
Harry Mills[]
Was at the burning of the wicker man. We stayed on Cutcloy Farm who supplied straw etc to help with burning. I was on 7 at time so very limited memories. I do remember the second man built on shore as back up.
Susan Maitland[]
"My mum and dad had the shop and post office in Creetown and the cast and crew regularly bought stuff in the shop. I sold Christopher Lee a vacuum flask. I also sat next to Britt Eckland in the Tavern in Newton Stewart. Lots of local people were extras. Happy memories. They filmed in the bakers in the village as they had an old bread oven. They wanted to bring a naked body out of the oven but no one local would do it so they had to hire a model from elsewhere."
Fay Norris[]
5/15/20 Mum (Mona Stewart) had partied up at Cairnsmore (Newton Stewart?) with the musicians of the film, Ian Cutler (fiddler) and Paul Giovanni (guitar and singer). Edward Woodward came and played trumpet and Christopher Lee sang bass baritone... here is a pic of scene in Kirkcudbrightshire church with my brother John Stewart 2nd row left beside Mrs Bell (Kate Soriani Mum) then me, my mother Mona Stewart 2rows behind me on the far right.
my parents lived at Cairnsmore Estate just outside Newton Stewart. She (mother) had a Scottish dance band that played in the Tavern bar and restaurant in Newton Stewart (which doesn’t seem to exist anymore) which is where she met the musicians from the film.
5/29/20 My mother Mona Stewart has several parties up at her home, and at one such gathering, a beautiful model in a fur coat turned up (turned out she was Britt Eklands body double for the naked dancing scene. My Uncle Sandie burned a hole in the sod with his cigarette he was so enamoured.
I made a friend of Ian Cutler the fiddler cos I played the fiddle in mums band, and went down to stay with him and his family in London for a weekend. Saw Ian a few years ago in his band Bullywee and we had a wee catch up. The musicians were great company as was Edward Woodward who played trumpet. Christopher Lee has a wonderful bass voice and we partied with them up at the Kirroughtree Hotel.
I also remember being filmed in a white nightie dancing around gravestones at Anwoth Church, but that wasn’t in the final film. Mum taught Edward Woodward the descant line for the Lords My Shepherd during the filming in Kirkcudbrightshire. I remember she and I in his trailer, and him changing his shirt in his vest, and noticing the freckles on his shoulders... hahaha sounds dodgy now, but it wasn’t. He was a lovely fella and loved anyone musical.