IT’S one of Scotland’s most rugged scenic areas, and now Ardnamurchan peninsula in Lochaber is set to star in a new reality television show in which people go back to the absolute basics of life.
The cast of non-actors will feature anyone from botanists to engineers and the aim is to see if a group of people can build a community from scratch in the wilderness.
Eden is the working title for the series which is being made by the award-winning KEO Films, best known for their association with chef Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall of River Cottage fame.
Up to six acres of the 50 square mile peninsula will be set aside for a year for the project which is billed as “a genuine wilderness experience in a remote location”.
KEO Films has started advertising for participants, stating: “KEO Films is now casting for skilled Brits who will build a new community in the wilderness for a groundbreaking new social experiment.”
Those taking part will certainly find themselves off the beaten track as there are fewer more remote areas in Europe – most of Ardnamurchan is connected by one road and even that is single track in places.
Ardnamurchan peninsula also boasts the most westerly point of the island of Great Britain, and its population numbers around 2,000.
The plan for the series was revealed at Highland Council’s planning, development and infrastructure committee which last week gave permission for the closure of public access to the site at Ardnamurchan Estate at Gorteneorn.
The committee agreed a draft order permitting the closure to go to public consultation, and since the closure is for more than six days Scottish ministers will have to confirm the order under section 11 of the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003.
In his report to the committee, Highland Council’s director of development and infrastructure, Stuart Black said that the site, which involves part of the headland and a forested area, will be divided into two – “the eastern area is where the participants will be based and the western area, which includes a private bothy, will be where the applicant’s technical team will be based”.
The report confirmed that the core path from Arivegaig to Gortenfern and Ockle, which runs along the southern side of the site, would not be affected while the public access from the beach at Camas an Lighe would be maintained.
The director explained: “The applicants intend to build a bridge over the access to the beach. The bridge will be used by participants in the TV series should they need to access the technical team and vice versa.”
No objections had been raised by the landowner and Local Access Forum.
The report added: “The site concerned is a relatively small area within the wider Ardnamurchan peninsula and, although for a considerable duration, it is not considered that the exemption order will have an adverse impact on access rights within the area given the terrain involved.
“The project is likely to benefit the local economy given the presence of the technical team on site.”
Bren Gormley, councillor for Fort William and Ardnamurchan, told the Lochaber News: “I wouldn’t want the film company to be too clear as to where they are running this as I wouldn’t want it overrun with folk, but I’m quite convinced the area they are using is off the track and shouldn’t interfere with people’s enjoyment of this area.”
KEO, which has an office in Glasgow, stated: “This is a high-profile documentary series.
“We’re looking for all types of people; everyone from fishermen to foragers, builders to botanists, engineers to entertainers. Or those who seek adventure.”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here