Made a pilgrimage to Pennan in 1985, a year after we were married. Seemed like a curious detour at the time. I recently had the photos printed and framed, including one of the phone booth. It’s now clear how much that side trip meant. My wife of 35 years died last November. Not always possible to go home, or answer the phone. I do cherish the images and the memories. And Mark Knopfler’s poignant creation.
We visited Pennan probably 20+ years ago purely by accident. We were travelling around Scotland and I really wanted to see a "Local Hero" type village and we knew we were on the right coast but didn't know the name of the village. We'd bobbed into a couple but were disappointed (bleak, fairly uninteresting) and were about to give up and head to our destination (Aberdeen) when I said to husband "ooh, there's another village down there, let's have a look". This was around lunchtime and it had been peeing down all day and husband was peed off too, but he knows better than to argue! We went down (flew down!) the steep hill and there she was, Pennan, Local Hero village. We parked up, looked at the phone box, decided a pint was on the cards, went into the pub/hotel (different building, but hey) for a pint and some lunch. To cut a long story short, the next day, hungover and shattered, we left Pennan. The camaraderie in the pub was phenomenal. Maybe people were happier with visitors spending money back then and we had such a good time and one too many drinks to be driving back up that hill that we booked in. The landlord went to bed and left us in the bar to get our own drinks and "we'd sort the money out in the morning". Us, a German couple and an American family stayed up until lord knows what time. And yes, we kept a tab and paid up, every penny. A storm came in too and the waves were washing up to the pub front door. I phoned my mother in law from the phone box in that storm. So much for cutting it short. We've been to so many places that I can't remember many of them, but this will always stay with me. We haven't been back because we know it couldn't and wouldn't be replicated. One of the outstanding memories was watching two, very ill, Germans walking towards the hill basically holding their heads up with their arms. Bless them. We didn't see the Americans again. I hope they survived the night. Thanks for the video, albeit I'm very late 👍
Was on holiday in Scotland last week and we drove East to Pennan. Yes, the narrow winding lane down to the village is very steep indeed! Tiny place. The plaque is on the hotel wall, but it's faded, so easy to miss.
Thanks mate for the video. I enjoyed it. Hope to visit Pennan and other Local Hero filming locations in 2025. Just got back from gorgeous New Zealand (3 weeks, north and south islands) so not this year, but Scotland is next on the desired travel list. My plan is to relax and stay a couple nights in Pennan, assuming there's a little B&B and pub in the village. Really enjoyed Local Hero, Mark Knopfler's musical genius, the excellent script and cast, and the scenery. I know, from the film's script, "you can't eat scenery." 🙂 But it sure is lovely to see.
Thanks for being so respectful to the place, man. The movie literally changed my life, and I always kept the phone number as a reminder to be brave enough to follow my dreams. I moved to Patagonia after watching “Local Hero”, and lived there for fifteen years. Planning to visit Pennan in my motorhome, so I will consider your observation as to that steep hill. Slainte!
I was brougt op in Pennan long before the film And it makes me sick to hear all the comments about the film Pennan was known World wide before the film The red PHONE boks in Pennan was there long before the film The famous red phoneboks was a fake
I am 75.i went visiting family and friends from the age of 20.long before they were as they are now.was beautiful then and has brought many happy memories flooding back.
@JagBetty yes I saw it in 1983 and hundreds of times in my life time and every day when I need some peace in my everyday life I get to watch it 🙏 it's a beautiful film.
Was going to propose to the wife outside the phone box in 2018, but didn't like the place when we got there. Ended up going down on one knee a couple of days later outside the pub in Gardenstown, which seemed much nicer.
the woman doesn't like people visiting. She's getting of lightly. I went as a child in 86/87 and my dad knocked on the door of one of the houses next to the pub to ask about the movie. lol. I remember the residents being very nice. Love the vid btw.
if someone told me they were "fed up of people coming here" they would receive an ear bashing from me, it's a free country and Pennan is a lovely place to visit, the local Pennan Inn/pub restaurant has good reviews and they must be happy for visitors as do the various Bed and Breakfasts in the area so just ignore the rude unwelcoming person you encountered, she does not represent the community.
John Rogers thanks John...left my tripod there on the beach...but incredibly a SPiS fan lives in the next village and managed to track it down and I'm getting it back👍
Quality video Jag, really interesting - well worth the early start I'm sure! (Backed up really nicely again by Starover Blue - have been listening to them a fair bit recently)
Love this video...really can tell you are passionate. Being from up there a place called Macduff I can assure you the local “ fowk” are super friendly. Must’ve caught the person on a bad day lol. Just around the corner is an even more magical place called crovie. If up again check it out Jag. Anyway brilliant video and I’m gonna check out more o yer on line travels.
Thanks for the nice comment. It was a couple of years ago so another visit is due soon. This time I will check out the other wee places as folk say the villages are friendly and worth a visit. Crovie is on The to do list Iain. Hope you enjoy the rest of my other videos. 😎👍
Great video. Another gem up there is Portsoy. I found a similar attitude in Cornwall a few years ago. Even a former businesswoman (NON-Cornish) informed me that a neighbouring business owner had said they wished the tourists would stay away - and just send their money to Cornwall.
The person who complained was probably an incomer. Bit ironic. I wonder how she feels about the wee cuppa hut that is "opening soon" - she will go pure mad mental with the trade that pulls in!
There's a nice old Tom Weir programme about the fishing villages along that coast, including Pennan. It is on the STV website - you need to register, but it only takes a minute. player.stv.tv/episode/2y9e/weirs-way/north-east-scotland/
Thanks for my pebble. Glad you made it to the phone box. You should have actually phoned me for real. Was the hotel not there that they all stayed in or is that someone's house now?
While I respect the locals’ desire for privacy, wouldn’t you think they would be inclined to take advantage of the fame of their village and try to make a few quid by opening up a souvenir shop or a themed restaurant or something? If properly handled, they could benefit from the tourist revenue while still keeping control. I’m looking forward to visiting there myself in the near future.
Yeah we said that to. But I guess there is probably not that much interest anymore generated by the film as it is an old film now. I actually made a wee souvenir for Bro with a phone box on a pebble taken from the shore of Penan.
@@brookfieldknight yes, I remember reading that thanks. However, I’m told Pennan is quite lovely in its own right and worth the trip. They could even put the telephone box back 😄
The lady I talked to was alright but a few folk were a bit huffy.. still nice place . If I lived there I’d be all for chatting to folk and telling about the movie etc..👍
@@JagBetty Seen it, was looking forward to seeing it again. No objection to you talking, none at all. But I don't think that is the point of a visual tour.
You know what was good? Seeing those birds diving into the ocean. Once a year it happens and I was lucky enough to see it. I’ll need to go back and take Bro with me. Thanks 🙏 😎👍
Great vid? I must have been watching something else. He loved the gannets enough to mention them more than once... but didn't film them. The phone box was wrong. What about a look at the hotel? A pointless exercise about an amazing film that deserved better.
Made a pilgrimage to Pennan in 1985, a year after we were married. Seemed like a curious detour at the time. I recently had the photos printed and framed, including one of the phone booth. It’s now clear how much that side trip meant. My wife of 35 years died last November. Not always possible to go home, or answer the phone. I do cherish the images and the memories. And Mark Knopfler’s poignant creation.
It’s only really a two and a half hour drive from here so must go back again. I’m sorry to hear of your loss.
I remember that road down to the town 1995, visit was fantastic, movie was great, music was too. From Greenock via US.
We visited Pennan probably 20+ years ago purely by accident. We were travelling around Scotland and I really wanted to see a "Local Hero" type village and we knew we were on the right coast but didn't know the name of the village. We'd bobbed into a couple but were disappointed (bleak, fairly uninteresting) and were about to give up and head to our destination (Aberdeen) when I said to husband "ooh, there's another village down there, let's have a look". This was around lunchtime and it had been peeing down all day and husband was peed off too, but he knows better than to argue! We went down (flew down!) the steep hill and there she was, Pennan, Local Hero village. We parked up, looked at the phone box, decided a pint was on the cards, went into the pub/hotel (different building, but hey) for a pint and some lunch.
To cut a long story short, the next day, hungover and shattered, we left Pennan. The camaraderie in the pub was phenomenal. Maybe people were happier with visitors spending money back then and we had such a good time and one too many drinks to be driving back up that hill that we booked in. The landlord went to bed and left us in the bar to get our own drinks and "we'd sort the money out in the morning". Us, a German couple and an American family stayed up until lord knows what time. And yes, we kept a tab and paid up, every penny. A storm came in too and the waves were washing up to the pub front door. I phoned my mother in law from the phone box in that storm.
So much for cutting it short. We've been to so many places that I can't remember many of them, but this will always stay with me. We haven't been back because we know it couldn't and wouldn't be replicated. One of the outstanding memories was watching two, very ill, Germans walking towards the hill basically holding their heads up with their arms. Bless them. We didn't see the Americans again. I hope they survived the night.
Thanks for the video, albeit I'm very late 👍
Great story and an award for longest comment ever... 👍😎😀😎
@@JagBetty Sorry 😂
Was on holiday in Scotland last week and we drove East to Pennan. Yes, the narrow winding lane down to the village is very steep indeed! Tiny place. The plaque is on the hotel wall, but it's faded, so easy to miss.
Thanks mate for the video. I enjoyed it. Hope to visit Pennan and other Local Hero filming locations in 2025. Just got back from gorgeous New Zealand (3 weeks, north and south islands) so not this year, but Scotland is next on the desired travel list. My plan is to relax and stay a couple nights in Pennan, assuming there's a little B&B and pub in the village. Really enjoyed Local Hero, Mark Knopfler's musical genius, the excellent script and cast, and the scenery. I know, from the film's script, "you can't eat scenery." 🙂 But it sure is lovely to see.
It was great to finally get there. It didn’t take too long either. A fantastically steep descent into the village… well worth a visit.
Thanks for being so respectful to the place, man. The movie literally changed my life, and I always kept the phone number as a reminder to be brave enough to follow my dreams. I moved to Patagonia after watching “Local Hero”, and lived there for fifteen years. Planning to visit Pennan in my motorhome, so I will consider your observation as to that steep hill. Slainte!
Slainte!.ive watched seveveral nature programmes about Patagonia. Glorious.
I was brougt op in Pennan long before the film
And it makes me sick to hear all the comments about the film
Pennan was known World wide before the film
The red PHONE boks in Pennan was there long before the film
The famous red phoneboks was a fake
@@sheilagibson4607 Pennan known worldwide before the film? Yeah, right! Whatever it is you are taking, I want some of it!
I am 75.i went visiting family and friends from the age of 20.long before they were as they are now.was beautiful then and has brought many happy memories flooding back.
I know I'm going to give it a 10 out of 10 when I go there and stay at the inn.
I take it you’ve seen the film?
@JagBetty yes I saw it in 1983 and hundreds of times in my life time and every day when I need some peace in my everyday life I get to watch it 🙏 it's a beautiful film.
Was going to propose to the wife outside the phone box in 2018, but didn't like the place when we got there. Ended up going down on one knee a couple of days later outside the pub in Gardenstown, which seemed much nicer.
the woman doesn't like people visiting. She's getting of lightly. I went as a child in 86/87 and my dad knocked on the door of one of the houses next to the pub to ask about the movie. lol. I remember the residents being very nice. Love the vid btw.
Great name btw, thanks for the comment.
Thanks for sharing this mate! That movie literally changed my life .....
Will definitely go there someday❤️
It’s a great place to find and explore.. I liked the movie to.👍
Excellent video Jag, one of your best yet, really enjoyed watching it even if it did mean an early start.
GrandadIsAnOldMan thanks a lot Grandad, appreciate your comments. Had an early night after the early start.
😊
if someone told me they were "fed up of people coming here" they would receive an ear bashing from me, it's a free country and Pennan is a lovely place to visit, the local Pennan Inn/pub restaurant has good reviews and they must be happy for visitors as do the various Bed and Breakfasts in the area so just ignore the rude unwelcoming person you encountered, she does not represent the community.
Gorgeous little town! Fantastic indeed!
been there coupla times .. open a wee shop selling spinners ,souveniers, scones and sandwiches .. just to piss off the local wifey.. lol!!
Great video Jag - such a beautiful spot
John Rogers thanks John...left my tripod there on the beach...but incredibly a SPiS fan lives in the next village and managed to track it down and I'm getting it back👍
Lovely video by the way. Some friends of mine from Aberdeen have promised to take me up to Pennan when I get over there again (after lockdown).
You’ll really enjoy it.. the day out and the road up.
Quality video Jag, really interesting - well worth the early start I'm sure! (Backed up really nicely again by Starover Blue - have been listening to them a fair bit recently)
Scotty Bosch the music just seems to suit the videos...glad you're liking them. I've been watching them on UA-cam as well.
Love this video...really can tell you are passionate. Being from up there a place called Macduff I can assure you the local “ fowk” are super friendly. Must’ve caught the person on a bad day lol. Just around the corner is an even more magical place called crovie. If up again check it out Jag. Anyway brilliant video and I’m gonna check out more o yer on line travels.
Thanks for the nice comment. It was a couple of years ago so another visit is due soon. This time I will check out the other wee places as folk say the villages are friendly and worth a visit. Crovie is on The to do list Iain.
Hope you enjoy the rest of my other videos. 😎👍
Great video. Another gem up there is Portsoy.
I found a similar attitude in Cornwall a few years ago. Even a former businesswoman (NON-Cornish) informed me that a neighbouring business owner had said they wished the tourists would stay away - and just send their money to Cornwall.
Except, of course, that is not THE phone box. The one in the film was a plywood dummy sited by the harbour.
Yeah I know, but there is no other phone box so this one will do. I would’ve thought they’d have something to celebrate the movie.
@@JagBetty Yep - you would have thought so - but the perhaps the locals may object. Enjoyed your vid, all the same
theres always someone ready to spoil your day jag .
The person who complained was probably an incomer. Bit ironic. I wonder how she feels about the wee cuppa hut that is "opening soon" - she will go pure mad mental with the trade that pulls in!
David Anderson I bet she lives in London and comes here for a week a year to her holiday home
None of the people in Pennan are "local" and the last I heard there was only one house occupied full-time so that woman can eff off.
There's a nice old Tom Weir programme about the fishing villages along that coast, including Pennan. It is on the STV website - you need to register, but it only takes a minute. player.stv.tv/episode/2y9e/weirs-way/north-east-scotland/
Tom Weir wears a hat, too, just like Jag :-)
David Anderson yes thanks, I've seen it. Weirs way is a great programme. My Dad met him a couple of times. Definetly an inspiration.
Nice for your dad to have met up with Tom. I have various DVDs of his old TV shows - they never grow old.
Thanks for my pebble. Glad you made it to the phone box. You should have actually phoned me for real. Was the hotel not there that they all stayed in or is that someone's house now?
Quarter past six in the morning? Does that exist in the real world. I thought the day started some time after 10 at the earliest 😎😊
So typical of people up there they do not like outsiders! Local Hero put them on the map. Gardenstown the next village to the left is interesting too.
The old crone has had 40 years to move away if she didn’t like tourists ffs.
Right on brother✌️
When people say they don't like outsiders ! I wonder why and what are they frightened of
While I respect the locals’ desire for privacy, wouldn’t you think they would be inclined to take advantage of the fame of their village and try to make a few quid by opening up a souvenir shop or a themed restaurant or something? If properly handled, they could benefit from the tourist revenue while still keeping control. I’m looking forward to visiting there myself in the near future.
Yeah we said that to. But I guess there is probably not that much interest anymore generated by the film as it is an old film now. I actually made a wee souvenir for Bro with a phone box on a pebble taken from the shore of Penan.
By the way, where’s the beach (as used in the film)? I heard it’s actually about 100 miles away.
@@kenosull The beach is more than 100miles away, it's on the west coast in the Highlands near the town of Morar.
@@brookfieldknight yes, I remember reading that thanks. However, I’m told Pennan is quite lovely in its own right and worth the trip. They could even put the telephone box back 😄
it reminds me of Auchmithie
The PHONE boks that is in Pennan had nothing to do with the film
This is a six minute video stretched out to eleven minutes....
Loved movie. Would love to see this but sounds like locals are a bit arsey. If you were that pissed with folk coming by then move 🤷♂️
The lady I talked to was alright but a few folk were a bit huffy.. still nice place . If I lived there I’d be all for chatting to folk and telling about the movie etc..👍
Sorry, too much talking head. I wanted to see Pennan, not the producer's face.
Unlucky then. Talking is my thing. Why not take a drive to Pennan and see it for yourself?
@@JagBetty Seen it, was looking forward to seeing it again. No objection to you talking, none at all. But I don't think that is the point of a visual tour.
You know what was good? Seeing those birds diving into the ocean. Once a year it happens and I was lucky enough to see it. I’ll need to go back and take Bro with me. Thanks 🙏 😎👍
Great vid? I must have been watching something else. He loved the gannets enough to mention them more than once... but didn't film them. The phone box was wrong. What about a look at the hotel? A pointless exercise about an amazing film that deserved better.
Anything else to whinge about? You ever been there?
Nice video but for that horrible music.
1st again and I liked the video