SCOTLAND’S mobile cinema is back on the road following a major internal and external refurbishment.

As well as having its hydraulics completely upgraded, the improved Screen Machine boasts a state-of-the-art digital projector and screen, reupholstered seats and a striking new livery by Highland-based designer Tristram Woolston.

The full refit was carried out in France at Toutenkamion, the world’s leading creators of cinemobiles.

Owned and operated by Regional Screen Scotland, the 80-seater HGV has been constantly on the road since it launched in 2005, bringing the magic of Hollywood and independent movies to communities from Barra to Bettyhill.

To celebrate its return to the road, the Screen Machine will be in residence in Brodick on the Isle of Arran from tomorrow until this Friday. Its programme includes the latest Disney blockbusters, this year’s Best Picture Oscar-winner Moonlight, and an “encore screening” of the National Theatre’s production of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead starring Daniel Radcliffe.

The screenings also include New Media Scotland’s unique and evocative expanded cinema presentation of Scottish-French animation The Illusionist. As part of a collaboration with local Arran food and drink producers and scent technician Ericka Duffy, audiences will eat, drink and smell their way through the film.

For the first time ever, the Screen Machine will be parked alongside the Travelling Gallery, Scotland’s mobile contemporary art gallery. Its current exhibition Eat, Sleep, Work, Repeat features artists who look at the industrialised and repetitive effects of the everyday.

“In launching our new tour in Brodick we’re presenting a showcase of the range of exciting experiences that our audiences can expect in the coming months,” said Robert Livingston, director of Regional Screen Scotland. “Not just the latest big releases, but special events like our expanded cinema collaboration with New Media Scotland, regular on-screen presentations of photography exhibitions in association with Street Level Photoworks, ‘encore’ screenings of live theatre relays, and special daytime events with partners such as Alzheimer Scotland and Into Film.”

“We’re also especially pleased to be collaborating with the Travelling Gallery, bringing our two very special vehicles together in the one location for the very first time, as a symbol of our intention to work together more regularly in the coming months.”

The newly improved Screen Machine will tour across Scotland until August 22, visiting everywhere from Barra to Gigha.

The refit has been made possible by grant aid from Creative Scotland’s National Lottery Funding, Highlands & Islands Enterprise, and Fort Augustus & Glenmoriston Development Company, plus sponsorship from the Royal Bank of Scotland.