The Brora storytellers

Shirley Maclean lives near Brora in Sutherland, and has certainly left her mark around town. She told a story (watch it online here) about a common dilemma for many people growing up in rural areas: the pull of bigger towns and cities.

Shirley made a film about how she keeps busy in Brora. Watch her story, Should I stay or should I go?

"Getting the video equipment and everything was like having a blank sheet of paper. You sit there and look at it and you think, 'What on earth am I going to do?' But once I started getting some things on tape, I got on a roll and we enjoyed it, we had some laughs. I enjoyed learning the filming process.

"When we were doing the workshops we were very much concentrating on our own stories. Having shared all the nerves, seeing [other people's films] come together was really good.

"I think what I'd like to do now is go to some local folk and find out their stories, because I know that they have some good ones. Now that I've been through the whole process, I know what we should be looking for and how to help them get their stories over."

Also from Brora

Jacqui Tonberg is happier behind a camera than in front of the lens (or a microphone). But with help from friends at the Brora Community Learning Centre, she explained her photographic frustration: how going to college to learn more about her art left her feeling that great picture opportunities were passing her by. Watch Time box.

Arthur Dutch likes old technology but is open to new ideas too, especially when friends offered to help him make a film paying tribute to his traveller heritage. Watch Living in the past.

Monica Maclean says she was surprised how much freedom she got to decide how her story looked. She made a slideshow explaining her lifelong interest in Highland dancing, and how she now helps people of all ages brush up their footwork. Watch My dancing life.

Colin Plowman is a quietly spoken man but his passion for the outdoors comes over loud and clear in this audio slideshow. Since retiring he's played a key role in looking after an award-winning Golspie nature reserve. Watch Big Burn.

Flo Stuart remembers vividly her schooldays in a small highland school, where all the pupils came under the wing of just one teacher, Mrs Sutherland. For Highland Lives, she made a return visit and recorded this audio slideshow. Watch A Sutherland education.

George MacBeath had never been in an aeroplane until he retired and one day decided to go to New Zealand. Why so far? He has family connections there, as he explains in this audio slideshow. Watch Home & away.

Sally & Peter Wild have a flock of Shetland sheep as co-stars in their film. Sally's artistic training shines through in her colourful tribute to both traditional and modern techniques for working with wool. Watch Woolly tales.

Other Highland Lives locations

Click around the map (upper right) or read about the Highland Lifers who took part in: Alness | Fort William | Grantown | Inverness | Thurso