Major grant to Screen Machine "incredibly welcome" - McArthur

Orkney's MSP Liam McArthur has welcomed news of a major new grant to Save Our Screen Machine that marks a major milestone towards the building of a new mobile cinema.

After the retirement of the previous Screen Machine in January 2023, Screen Machine have been relying on a leased vehicle for their showings, while aiming to raise funds for a permanent replacement. This week, it was announced that SSEN Transmission's Community Benefit Fund has awarded £350,000 to go towards building a new mobile cinema, almost doubling the total amount that has been pledged so far.

Commenting on the news, Mr McArthur said:

"I know from personal experience how valuable the Screen Machine has been to communities in Orkney and across the Highlands and islands over the past 25 years. It has proved to be a much loved and well-used cultural asset, offering opportunities to enjoy the big screen experience to people who would otherwise struggle to get to a cinema.

"The threat to the future of the Screen Machine has caused understandable concern and so news of this major award is incredibly welcome. The SSEN Transmission Community Benefit Fund have recognised the value of this service for our communities and this grant will go a long way towards the goal of putting Screen Machine on a new stable footing for the next few decades.

“The Save Our Screen Machine campaign still need further funding to secure the cinema’s future but the campaign is building momentum and hopefully the target will be reached in the near future.”