Two powerful documentary films “David's story” and “The hills we have to climb” can now be watched online.
The films were produced by Stirling University students Calum Cownie, Joe Cromarty, Paul Cowie, Iain Bayfield and Henry Swindells in May 2023 as part of their documentary dissertation for their Bachelor of Arts in Film and Media Studies degree.
The idea for the films was born after the students read an article about David 'Heavy' Whalley, a well known figure to those in mountain rescue. When they reached out to him it became clear that his account of the Lockerbie disaster (1988), and the actions of mountain rescue as a whole, were not known to many.
Inspired by this, the Stirling crew interviewed members old and new, aiming to explore mental health within Scottish Mountain Rescue with a focus on those who were impacted by the Lockerbie disaster. The films include commentaries from some of those directly involved describing reactions that we understand to a far greater extent today. But with no formal support on offer in 1988, the volunteers relied on instinctive kindness and informal peer support to help each other through, recognising that folk were needing to have the company of their peers and space to talk and be listened to.
The students thank the members who graciously gave up their time, opened themselves up and spoke their truth so the films could be made. The documentary film, "The hills we have to climb" was nominated for a Royal Television Society Award.
