Hollywood star hits the Highlands for filming of new series

Islanders on Mull are at a fever pitch as actor Jamie Dornan is set to arrive on the island for filming.

The Hollywood star, best known for films Fifty Shades of Grey and Belfast, as well as TV shows The Tourist and The Fall, will be filming on the island at the start of June.

On Saturday, the CalMac Oban to Mull ferry was filled with 12 lorries said to be from the production company making The Undertow.

Dornan was seen filming aboard a boat in Kylesku, Sutherland, on the same day.

Dornan is cast as twins Lee and Adam in the Netflix crime drama.

The film follows Adam when his long-estranged brother Lee, also played by the Irish-born actor – abruptly returns.

Doran, who plays fisherman Adam, is thrown into chaos when Lee stirs up tension with the former’s unhappy wife, Nicola, played by Mackenzie Davis, with whom Lee has a “tangled romantic past”.

It is unclear when Dornan will arrive on the island, but it is understood many locals have signed up to be extras in the movie.

On Saturday islanders noticed the production company come to Mull ahead of filming due to start in the coming days, before Dornan’s arrival at the start of June.

One reader told The Press and Journal: “Locals can not get booked on the ferry at the best of times, so this film must have been a long time in the planning.”

Islanders say it is understood Dornan will be filming in three key locations.

Loch Peallach is the easternmost of three lochs in the north of the island of Mull, together known as the Mishnish Lochs, which became connected when their level was raised to form a reservoir.

Loch Peallach lies to the north-east of Loch Meadhoin, two miles south-west of Tobermory.

The Ross of Mull is a peninsula around 28 miles long – and includes the villages of Bunessan and Fionnphort, where a ferry takes passengers to the Isle of Iona.

The area is well known for fishing and crafting, as well as tourism.

Grasspoint is a short drive or walk from Craignure. The pier was for many years the main entry point to Mull.

The only buildings at the pier are the old ferry house and a small cottage.

Parking is a bit of a problem and the road is single track.

Dornan was seen wearing a big woolly jumper and work trousers, but when he wasn’t filming he donned designer sunglasses, enjoying the early summer sun.

Scottish actor Gary Lewis, best known for films Billy Elliot and Gangs of New York, as well as Outlander, also appeared to be on set.

The Undertow is due for release next year.

Actor Jamie Dornan on set.