Hardly a seat left in the theatre for Ness film premiere in Kirkwall

Friday, January 23, 2026 (1:42 PM)

Film-maker Lucy Carr-McClave (right) with Ness co-director Anne Mitchell at the start of proceedings. (📷 Sigurd Towrie)

Almost 300 people made their way to the Orkney Theatre last night for the premiere of Lucy Carr-McClave’s film What’s Left Lasting: People, Process & Time at the Ness of Brodgar.

During 2024’s final season of major excavation, film-maker Lucy was on site capturing elements of the dig. After going through hours of recorded footage, she created a beautiful and poignant record of the Ness project – as seen through the eyes of some of the many people involved.

Not only did it go down a storm with the Kirkwall audience but Lucy hopes her 51-minute film will now feature in a number international film festivals.

The audience take to their seats in preparation for Thursday's film premiere. (📷 Sigurd Towrie) — The audience take to their seats in preparation for Thursday’s film premiere. (📷 Sigurd Towrie)

To all who braved the Orcadian weather to attend the event and support the Ness project through the raffle, shop purchases and donations, many thanks. It is very much appreciated.

Please note: Lucy has intimated that, at some point in the future, she may make the completed film available online. There are no dates for this.

Also getting its first public outing last night was Brodgar Hands – a “tapestry” of handprints of those who participated in the 2024 excavation. Organised by Jeanne Bouza Rose, Patricia and Stephanie Long and Annie Fanning, the individual prints taken on site during the dig season were stitched together into three huge wallhangings by a dedicated squad of volunteers.