RedBeard Productions

31/03/2024

Is there any job better than spending a few hours filming (and eating) delicious shortbread?

06/03/2024

Not sure why but the video was taken down then re-uploaded but here it is again -

BACKGROUND:
In Scotland there are over 46,000 empty homes that could be brought back into use. The Scottish Empty Homes Partnership (SEHP) has been set up to encourage local authorities to provide support to individuals looking to restore these empty properties. One such successful example of what the SEHP can help achieve can be found in the small village of Cromore, Isle of Lewis.

Karis and David purchased the croft house that has been empty since the 1970s and with the help of the SEHP, have restored it and brought it back into being a liveable home.

RedBeard Productions was asked by Orbit Communications to document the restoration journey and over three years the video has been filmed and edited. It was shown recently at the Scottish Empty Homes Partnership conference in Glasgow in front of roughly 150 members of government, local authority representatives, and stakeholders.

BEHIND THE SCENES:
Filming first took place in September 2021 when work had just begun on the croft house. I travelled from Inverness via the ferry from Ullapool and I got really lucky with the weather. One good day to film on site and get some on-camera interviews with Karis, Murdo the local Empty Homes Officer, and Fiona from the Pairc Trust. I love history and it was great to hear about the history of the home but it was also saddening to hear about how communities in the Western Isles, including Cromore, were dying. That's why restoring these empty homes are so important.

I returned again in August 2022 to find significant work was underway with a new roof being installed, and the foundations of the extension having been laid. Again, very lucky with the weather but had to dodge a few rain showers and the drone wasn't taken too high or far away due to the wind being quite strong.

The final day of filming took place in October 2023 and this day was probably the best for the weather. Most of the day had that amazing autumnal lighting which was perfect for the finale of the video. The house looked stunning with its new white rendering and the new extension out the back and Karis and David were so close to completing the renovation and finally a light was going to be back on in this long empty home.

Hope you enjoy this video and maybe it will inspire someone to bring a home back into use and some new life back into a community.

The inspirational story of a long term empty home brought back into use including the owners Karis and David's experiences, and an Empty Home Officer Murdo M...

30/01/2024

The Kessock Bridge last night

Visit Inverness Loch Ness North Coast 500 What's Happening Inverness

20/01/2024

Take off, see snow coming in, grab a few shots quickly, land!

05/10/2023

Latest video for Speyside Labs, filmed in GlenWyvis Distillery.

Vapour is a cloud-based distillery production and maturation platform which helps distilleries keep on top of their spirit production. Users can upload information on the production side and keep track of casks in the warehouse using this fantastic site. Cuts out vast quantities of spreadsheets and is very user friendly.

Loved filming in the distillery - even picked up a bottle of whisky and a bottle of gin whilst I was there!

08/09/2023

What a fantastic and sunny few days I had on the Isle of Tiree whilst filming, with the drone and on the ground, the transport and installation of a TTU unit (water treatment facility) that was manufactured in Muir of Ord by RSE! Such beautiful beaches and some of the best surf in the UK.

Here are some photos from after filming concluded

02/09/2023

Was a pleasure to work on the videos for Amelia's Fundraising Journey and I hope everyone had a brilliant night last night - especially the children winning their awards!

24/08/2023

Happy to help raise money for Drummond School ❤️

This year marks the fourth edition of Amelia’s Young Highlander Awards, but none of this would be possible without the support of our amazing sponsors.

21/08/2023

What a blast I had with Kev from 42 Cycling when I was filming for FSB Highlands and Islands this summer!

One of the more physically tiring work days in the 24 degrees heat but Kevs' electric bikes were fantastic! Spent the day out near Fort Augustus, above Loch Ness, and made it back to the van minutes before a crazy thunderstorm rolled in forcing us to retreat to his bike storage shed for the interview section of the video.

Join Kevin Stacey, owner of 42 Cycling, on a cycling tour of stunning sights in the Highlands of Scotland. Kevin shares his story of pursuing his passion for cycling after 25 years in the military.

21/03/2023

Here’s a video I made last year and it was such fun to film! If you have kids then definitely get along to Frankie & Lola’s! They’re also looking for a manager so apply today!

10/03/2023

Cairngorms looking absolutely stunning yesterday whilst out filming in the snow across the National Park.