Local Hero

Pennan's red phone box, made famous by the film Local Hero

Pennan is famous as the location for director Bill Forsyth's 1983 film 'Local Hero', which was filmed here in 1982.

Starring Burt Lancaster, Peter Riegert, Denis Lawson and Peter Capaldi, the film is set in the fictional fishing village of Ferness on the west coast of Scotland. The film tells the story of a young representative of an American oil company, who is sent to the village on a mission to acquire the entire village to make way for a refinery.

Local Hero fans from around the world come to Pennan to see for themselves the sites and scenery from the film and to make a call from the now famous red telephone box featured in the film.

The telephone box was originally just a prop for the film and was subsequently removed, however, due to public demand a genuine telephone box was installed near the original spot and has been a listed building since 1989.

Bill Forsyth recently returned to Pennan with presenter and Local Hero enthusiast Mark Kermode, for the BBC's Culture Show, to celebrate the film's 25th birthday with a special screening in the village's community hall.