Chamber and committees

Meal do naidheachd—congratulations—to my colleague Alyn Smith on securing this members’ business debate on the importance of the screen industry in Scotland.

As members will know, I believe that my constituency is Scotland’s most beautiful, because of its land and seascape and its people. Collectively, those elements make Argyll and Bute—and Scotland—a perfect location for the film industry.

I will set the scene in land and seascape. A plethora of films have used the rugged, rolling scenery of Argyll. Mull and the Corryvreckan were the location of the 1945 classic, “I Know Where I’m Going”. Walt Disney’s film “The Three Lives of Thomasina” was set in the picture-perfect town of Inveraray. The brutalist, concrete structure of the Cruachan dam, which resembles Darth Vader’s mask, played a starring role in the Disney+ Star Wars prequel series “Andor”.

However, as others have said, film is nothing without its cast, whether in front of the camera—the man of the small and silver screen, Sylvester McCoy, was born in Dunoon, and Ashley-Anne Lilley of Rothesay made her film debut in “Mamma Mia!”—or in the crew, production team and writers. Screen Argyll on Tiree provides opportunities for communities to connect through film. The Sea Change film festival is Scotland’s only annual film festival that is dedicated to empowering women in film and celebrating women behind the camera, with funding from Sgrin Alba—Screen Scotland.

Sgrin Alba also had a vision to embed film and screen education and qualifications in Scotland’s schools. I had a fabulous visit to the Rothesay joint campus with you, Presiding Officer, in the previous session of the Parliament. Having worked at BBC Scotland—very much behind the camera—and having a husband who works in the industry, I am excited that that education is now at the heart of Scotland’s curriculum. As Outlander actor Sam Heughan has said,

“Film and Screen storytelling is at the centre of developing a child’s imagination, a way for communities to represent their identity and individuals to connect with others.”

That is certainly what Q Manivannan contributed.

Sam Heughan is not from Argyll and Bute, but Grace Wallace is. This is what she told me about her learning experience at Rothesay academy:

“The Film and Screen course made me certain of my future. It gave me the opportunity to learn and experiment in all areas of the film industry: from pre to post production, both in front of and behind the camera, and working with people already in the sector. I have been given the skill set and confidence to seek further opportunities in this area, which as a young woman from a small island originally seemed impossible.”

That is definitely a five-star review.

We also need places to watch films, as Liam Kerr, Michael Marra and Lloyd Melville have all noted in the debate. Later this summer, Screen Machine 3 will return to its west coast venues, with £1.49 million raised, £500,000 of which was from the Scottish Government. Ten years ago, the wee picture house in Campbeltown was lovingly restored with thanks to the National Lottery Heritage Fund, the Scottish Government and Highlands and Islands Enterprise and played a starring role in “Cinema Gadelica”—a BBC Alba production that showcased films that were shot in iconic Scottish locations. Studio Cinema Dunoon opened in 1976 and is part of West Coast Cinemas. The Isle of Bute Winter Garden cinema is a community-owned single-screen cinema. As others have said, cinemas such as those are full of laughter, crying, horror, and excitement. They are at the centre of communities and bring people together through cinema. As Liam Kerr highlighted, they need investment.

The Scottish film industry is booming. We should build on that success and be even more ambitious for the sector. We have skilled and talented people who are building the foundations of an independent Scotland’s film industry. I will finish with more of Grace Wallace’s words:

“I believe that this sector needs to grow and thrive, to allow young people, like myself, to pursue their dreams, no matter where they come from, and open doors for demonstrating their talents and expressing their creativity.”

18:31

I welcome the Scottish Government’s commitment to fair work and fully support its underlying principles. However, smaller organisations, third sector bodies and social enterprises do not have the dedicated compliance or bid-writing teams to cover the administrative burden of different funding streams. Will the cabinet secretary therefore meet me and the Mull and Iona Community Trust to discuss what immediate, low-cost improvements could be made to the process, in line with the Scottish Government’s stated aims of efficiency, fairness and accessibility of grant funding?

To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to adopt a tell-us-once approach to grant schemes, such as fair work first, across its departments to reduce the burden on individuals, organisations and businesses, as part of its planned public sector reform. (S7O-00045)

I appreciate that these are independent decisions to be made by the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, but I am interested to know whether the Scottish Government is looking at the cumulative impact of those changes on, for example, other rescue services such as the coastguard, for which I understand there were proposals to move to a purely voluntary service. Given the significant impact that that could have on constituencies that have so many coastal communities, such as Argyll and Bute, is the cabinet secretary willing to meet me to discuss the matter further?

The learning estate investment programme has improved the school estate and learning journey for young people across Scotland. As the First Minister knows, Argyll and Bute Council has had an application to LEIP for a joint campus in Mull approved. However, will the First Minister commit to a review of the criteria and funding structures to ensure that they reflect the needs of education and the wider community in islands such as Mull?

Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer. I welcome you and your colleagues to your posts. I also congratulate my colleagues Siobhian Brown and Maree Todd on their re-elections, and I welcome Maree Todd back to her sports portfolio—I know how much she loves it.

Ms Todd and I have a common goal, which is to increase the amount of Gaelic that is spoken in the Parliament. I am on my sixth year of Duolingo and, on Friday, this phrase popped up on my screen:

“Is lugha orm poilitigs … is fheàrr leam iomain”.

That means, “I dislike politics … I prefer shinty”. That is not entirely true. However, those two subjects are linked not only in Duolingo, but in my life. Shinty could be described as the beating heart of sport in Argyll and Bute. It was only after being elected that I experienced the excitement of a shinty match—from the joy of seeing the young players tournament at the Dalmally show to attending the Macaulay cup final in Oban last year—and I look forward to the Camanachd cup and the Macaulay cup in Oban this September. The passion, the camaraderie, the rivalry, the pride of winning, the pain of losing and the togetherness are all part of life’s skills, whether one is playing or spectating.

I am so pleased to hear the minister's fantastic announcement about the joint working between the Camanachd Association and Scottish Golf. My constituent Bob MacIntyre is a great example of shifting from one discipline to the other, having played with Oban Camanachd and now playing on the greens of golf courses across the world.

As I have just said, togetherness and life skills are what we see on a shinty field. That is one of the many reasons why the summer of sport is so important and why I believe that ensuring that there are opportunities for participation in sport, regardless of where you live, is absolutely key. Sport teaches not only life skills, but a healthy way to thrive. The Atlantis Leisure centre in Oban and Lorn and Oban Healthy Options promote exactly that, through their fitness, prehab and rehab sessions. I have heard from young and old about the difference that a focus on swimming, exercise and sport has made to their health and recovery, and it is inspirational. The Happy Wee Health Club in Oban also finds colourful ways to engage young people in sport and fitness.

As the minister said, the summer of sport links clearly with the population health framework. As the minister and Gillian Mackay have noted, physical activity provides opportunities to connect and come together in activities that inspire and motivate.

Sport in Argyll and Bute is inextricably linked to its landscape and seascape. I disagree with what Donald MacKinnon said in his opening speech—my apologies—but Argyll and Bute is Scotland’s most beautiful constituency, not just because of the landscape and the seascape but because of the people. I thank them for returning me as their MSP. To serve the people of Argyll and Bute is the biggest privilege of my life.

Two weeks ago, I attended a Surfers Against Sewage event, or, as the schoolkids in Tighnabruaich say, a jobbie-free sea event. I spoke to many people who emphasised how much they valued having the wonderful sea resource on their doorstep, especially as it gives them the ability to exercise and enjoy sport. We have to ensure that we keep our seas as clean as they can be, so that people can take part in paddling at Tighnabruaich, wild swimming in Seil, surfing in Tiree, stone skimming in Easdale, yachting around the nooks and crannies of the coastline of Argyll and its isles, or the international clipper race that is sailing into Oban in July. Those are all fantastic opportunities for us to showcase Scotland, and Argyll and Bute, on the international stage, as well as for us to keep active. We need to continue to invest to ensure that our coastline and waterways are at the highest standard.

I welcome, too, the investment that has been provided for every primary school child to learn to swim. That policy will make a real difference, not only in supporting swimming facilities in our communities but in building skills that will undoubtedly save lives.

For the length and breadth of Argyll and Bute, communities continue to work together to ensure that sport and exercise are accessible. The fabulous Adventure Oban is a community-led outdoor activity charity that supports equal access for all to Oban’s natural playground. This weekend, its big bike weekend is returning with lots of fun for all the family. Tayinloan has just confirmed that it will be building a biking pump track—a fantastic example of a village community working together, thinking big and using sport and exercise as the focus of their community cohesion and so invigorating their community.

I will briefly touch on ferries. The ferry timetable can be a barrier to participation in sport for island children. That was raised with me by a group of parents on the fantastic new Isle of Islay ferry. I met Caledonian MacBrayne this morning and pressed home to it that I hope that it, along with Transport Scotland, will ensure that the community voice is heard in future timetable discussions.

I am drawing to a close, Presiding Officer. I started with a Gaelic phrase and I will end with one. It is the final line of the poem “Iomain”, written by our Gaelic makar, Peter Mackay, which he penned for the opening of the Shinty museum in Inverness. I think that it rings true for all sports, and especially for the summer of sport.

“Seo e a-nis: nach tig sibh a dh’iomain?”

Okay, then, won’t you come and join me in shinty?

On a point of order, Presiding Officer. I had a problem with my app, too. I would have voted yes.

How will the first homes fund work in rural and island areas such as Argyll and Bute, where it can be difficult for first-time buyers and their families to take their first steps on the property ladder because of the affordability and supply constraints that the cabinet secretary has referenced in her statement?

I, Jenni Minto, do solemnly, sincerely and truly declare and affirm, that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles, his heirs and successors, according to law.