Pierhead in Voe and Lerwick’s Lounge chosen as bars to feature in film Between Weathers

Two Shetland bars – The Pierhead in Voe and The Lounge in Lerwick – have been chosen to feature in the forthcoming Scottish film Between Weathers.

Director Jim Brown says the bars will now be given the chance to imitate the Pennan Inn on the North-east Scottish coast, which became famous as the watering hole used in the 1980s blockbuster Local Hero.

A wealth of email nominations from Shetlanders helped Mr Brown narrow his search down to four locations and after a productive week in the isles, he selected the final two.

Mr Brown said: “When we launched the search I was originally looking for somewhere special to become the local bar on the imaginary island of Fustra in the movie, and from the first moment I saw the Pierhead in Voe, I knew I’d found it. It’s got character, loads of atmosphere and it’s in a stunning location.

“But there are also scenes we need to film on the Mainland and when I dropped into The Lounge in Lerwick I knew we had to use it. The place is almost legendary in Shetland and it made sense that it features in Between Weathers.”

Pierhead owner Denise Anderson, who was given the good news by Mr Brown on Friday, said: “I’m so happy, it’s just unbelievable, and I think this will really put us on the map.”

Between Weathers, produced by Aberdeen-based B4 Films and being shot at isles locations next year, is described as a modern-day David and Goliath story.

Mr. Brown said: “Everyone keeps talking about it as Local Hero for the 21st century, which is a fantastic compliment. It’s about depopulation on an island, and the power of the internet.

“I’d like to thank everyone who took the time to get in touch and nominate their favourites and to apologise to the Spiggie Hotel in Dunrossness and The Mid Brae Inn in Brae who were the two that just missed out.”