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Cromarty Cinema opens its doors to film lovers

Trustees off the Cromarty Cinema, Tanya Karlebach (L) and Nicola White in the new facility which opened in the village last night. Picture by Sandy McCook
Trustees off the Cromarty Cinema, Tanya Karlebach (L) and Nicola White in the new facility which opened in the village last night. Picture by Sandy McCook

Film lovers in a north community officially enjoyed the big screen for the first time last night as Cromarty Cinema opened its doors to the public.

The 35-seat purpose-built cinema showed its inaugural screenings yesterday following two years of rigorous planning and fundraising.

Cromarty Cinema, one of the UK’s smallest movie theatres, has been made possible by the Cromarty and Resolis Film Society (CRFS) in partnership with Eden Court Theatre in Inverness.

The £240,000 project was undertaken with the aim of building a more diverse audience for film whilst bringing a range of world-class cinema to the Black Isle.

Tanya Karlebach, chairwoman of CRFS, said: “The opening of a purpose-built cinema in a rural town of 700 seemed a mad idea two years ago, so we are incredibly excited to be opening our doors so soon.

“The cinema is a labour of love made possible by a range of generous funders.

“The Cromarty and Resolis Film Society is built on the idea that film is better when shared, and we are delighted to have Eden Court as our partners in making this possible for even more people.”

More than 200 people from across the community and surrounding areas turned out on Wednesday for the cinema’s open day to get a feel for the new auditorium and catch their first glimpse of the latest blockbuster movie trailers on the big screen.

Armando Iannucci’s The Personal History of David Copperfield became the first film to hit the big screen during last night’s grand opening followed by a showing of the historical period drama Little Woman.

Nicola White, a trustee of the society, said Cromarty is the place where “crazy dreams” really do come true.

She said: “After the 2017 Cromarty Film Festival at Christmas the committee thought wouldn’t it be great but mad if we had a cinema all year round. It just seemed like a crazy dream but Cromarty is a good place for crazy dreams to work.

“I think it’s fantastic, especially for the younger people of the community and the older people in the community.

“What was really important to us was the communal experience of cinema. We are used to Netfilx, sitting on the sofa watching our own, but actually there is something wonderful about seeing a big uplifting film or having those emotions among a crowd of people with the best sound and huge screen.”

Plans for the purpose-built cinema were first lodged by the society in July 2018 following the growing success of the Cromarty Film Festival and the society.

The project was brought to life through a dedicated band of volunteers and a series of generous funders including, Highland LEADER, Creative Scotland, Viridor Credits, The Robertson Trust, Beatrice Partnership, Highlands and Enterprise and the Foyle Foundation.