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The Dove of Lochs

30m documentary charting an artist's 15-year friendship with a Gaelic speaking community in the Outer Hebrides. The haunting sound of the Gaelic psalms, the elegant traditional boats and interviews with elders in the community carry us on a journey of love, loss and faith, all underpinned by their ‘dùthchas’ which encompasses the cultural riches of the Gaelic world.
The film is in Scottish Gaelic with an opening and closing voiceover in the narrator’s native Irish Gaelic. Subtitles in English throughout.

  • déirdre ní mhathúna
    Director
  • déirdre ní mhathúna
    Writer
  • Magaidh Nic a' Ghobhainn
    Producer
  • Tristan Rosenstock
    Producer
  • Project Title (Original Language):
    "Calman nan Loch" - Scottish Gaelic and "Colm na Lochanna" - Irish
  • Project Type:
    Documentary, Short, Web / New Media, Other
  • Runtime:
    30 minutes
  • Completion Date:
    August 5, 2022
  • Production Budget:
    12,000 EUR
  • Country of Origin:
    United Kingdom
  • Country of Filming:
    United Kingdom
  • Language:
    Irish, Scottish Gaelic
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Paris Short Film Festival
    Paris
    France
    September 24, 2022
    Online Premiere
    Audience Award, Documentary Short
  • Film-Alba Gaelic Film Festival
    Bonn
    Germany
    November 28, 2023
    German première
    Selection: Official Opening Event
  • Barcelona Indie Awards 2024
    Barcelona
    Spain
    March 25, 2024
    Finalist, Documentary Short Award
Director Biography - déirdre ní mhathúna

Déirdre is a socially-engaged artist who came to filmmaking because of the wonderful story of the Psalmboats as told in the documentary short, 'The Dove of Lochs'. Her skills as designer, producer and performer have brought her all over the British Isles to work in theatre projects, television and community festivals.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

I am so excited to share the film documentary, 'The Dove of Lochs' / 'Calman nan Loch' / 'Colm na Lochanna' which follows a fifteen-year arts project with local people in Lewis in the Outer Hebrides. I was privileged to be accepted by local Gaelic speakers and welcomed into an almost hidden and forgotten world of Gaelic Psalms, sung in traditional outdoor worship. We are all proud of this film, which belongs equally to all the participants.

WINNER, AUDIENCE AWARD @PARIS SHORT FILM FESTIVAL, 2022
OFFICIAL OPENING SELECTION, FILM-ALBA.de, BONN, 2023
FINALIST, BARCELONA INDIE AWARDS, 2024
EXCEPTIONAL MERIT, DOCUMENTARIES WITHOUT BORDERS, 2024
SEMI-FINALIST, DUBLIN INTERNATIONAL FILM AWARDS, 2024
some comments:
"an impressive achievement… sensitive, insightful"
“This beautiful film explores the experiences and life of a Gaelic speaking community in Scotland and acts as a wonderful bridge to the shared traditions, identities and experiences that tie Ireland and Scotland together through the ages.”