A SMALL but significant phenomenon has been taking place across Scotland, with droves of people turning out to see films about other countries.

The latest display of huge interest was the near-670 crowd who gave up their Sunday afternoon to attend the showing of Norway, the last of the trilogy of Nation films – the others are on Iceland and the Faroe islands – made by broadcaster Lesley Riddoch and filmmaker Phantom Power.

The films explore what Scotland can learn from its Nordic neighbours, especially Norway which shares a very similar population size, climate, landscape and resources to ours.

The Queen’s Hall in Edinburgh was packed for the showing, which was accompanied by music from the Yes Choir and Musica Nordica. The Q&A session with Lesley proved highly informative as usual.

The National columnist is now off to points north for a tour which will allow hundreds more to view Norway and take part in a Q&A session.

First stop is Aviemore tonight where Yes Badenoch and Strathspey will host the showing in the Aviemore Community centre from 6.30pm to 9.30pm. Tickets are on Eventbrite website or available at the door.

The showings at Daviot Hall near Inverness, the Eden Court Centre Cinema in Inverness and Nairn Little Theatre over the next three nights are all sold out.

There are tickets available for the showing in Elgin’s Eight Acres Hotel on Sunday at 6pm – again you can get them on the Eventbrite website.