Benefactor hails cinema project

One of the earliest benefactors of the Birks Cinema in Aberfeldy returned to watch a movie and praised the success of the community-run facility.

Graeme Wilson travelled from Banchory to see ‘Sunset Song,’ and following the screening, he was presented with a copy of the new Birks calendar, signed by Aberfeldyborn Hollywood star Alan Cumming.

Mr Wilson said: “It is amazing what a small community of like-minded and determined individuals can achieve.”

And paying tribute to Charlotte Flowers as one of the cinema pioneers, he added: “The achievement of the people of Aberfeldy in coming from scratch — a bare building — to where you are today is nothing short of fantastic.”

The seven-year project to restore the cinema was completed in 2013 at a cost of around £1.3 million. The cinema closed down more than 30 years ago and ended up as an amusement arcade, which then closed in 2004.

The state-of-the-art cinema has 100 seats and screens 3D films, including the latest Hollywood releases and classics.

Birks Cinema chairman John Freeman commented: “The generosity of donors like Mr Wilson has been a major factor in the success.”

The renovation was led by the Friends of the Birks Cinema and supported by John Swinney, MSP for North Tayside.