The cult of The Wicker Man burned bright once again as fans, artists and cast reunited in Newton Stewart for a weekend steeped in folk horror and fiery celebration, writes BARRY McCANN
Back in 2023, the 50th anniversary of The Wicker Man was celebrated by a gathering of enthusiasts and many involved in the film, organised by Ian Thomas, Julie Yson and Jon Wood, and centred on Newton Stewart in Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland, where the cast and crew were based during that chilly late 1972.
The gathering climaxed with a recreation of the film’s costumed procession at Burrowhead and the burning of a Wicker Man on the very site of the original. Suffice to say, it was enjoyed by all.
So May 2025 saw a second weekend gathering, again based at Newton Stewart and hosted by Fergal O’Riordan, Julie Yson, Jennifer Dolan who played young Myrtle in the film and James Renwick who runs the Burrowhead campsite where the fiery climax was lensed.
Fergal has himself been busy filming the documentary Return to Summerisle, which was being unveiled as one as one of the weekend’s highlights.
Friday evening proved a perfect warm up with the Sing-Along-A-Wicker Man at the Newton Stewart Cinema, the streets of the small town suddenly coloured by the most vivid of costumes as they arrived at the venue for a good old sing song. Fortunately, a licensed bar was on hand for such thirsty work.
Next morning, it was over to Anwoth Old Church at Gatehouse of Fleet, location of the Summerisle graveyard with its abandoned kirk and the schoolroom building stood opposite. Now an Airbnb, the interior looks so small compared with the film, though the staircase is still there. The graveyard has not changed either and we were treated to a tour by the group Mostly Ghostly, who enthralled us with their “Tombs and Tales of Old Anwoth”.
That evening it was back to the cinema for the premiere of Return to Summerisle, Fergal’s very personal chronical of journeying to meet and talk with those involved or associated with the film.
These included actress and singer Lesley Mackie (who provided vocals on the soundtrack and appeared as beetle torturing schoolgirl, Daisy), musician Gary Carpenter, singer, Scottish dialect poet Amy Rafferty who appeared in the graveyard scene as the baby, Gail Ashurst, editor of The Wicker Man fanzine Nuada, and the two sons of director Robin Hardy, Justin and Dominic, who have made their own documentary, Children of the Wicker Man.
In fact, Lesley, Gary, Amy and Gail were also in attendance at the screening, and Fergal’s impressive film got a standing ovation from all present. Hopefully, it will soon be available to a wider audience.
The evening was rounded off nicely with a party and entertainment at the Vault Arts Centre across the road. Amy treated us to her beautifully lyrical dialect poetry, followed by songs with musicians Allan Forbes and Dochlan MacMillan, the trio being known as The Recovery Club.
Lesley also took the stage with Gary and Matt Deighton as Magnet, the band they formed to perform for the film and now reformed for a new album of dark folk songs they are currently crowd funding to get recorded. One can only hope they get that album made and out as Lesley’s other worldly voice has lost none of its bewitching power.
The evening was rounded off by two panels, the first hosted by Julie Yson with Fergal and his two nieces who formed the crew of his film, Saoirse who operated the camera and Naoise who was on sound. Jon Wood then took over for the second panel featuring Gary, Lesley and Jennifer.
Next day, it was to Burrowhead and the campsite club house where I gave a talk on David Pinner’s Ritual, the novel which initially inspired The Wicker Man, followed by a brilliant performance of traditional Scottish sword dancing by Issie Lamberton and Shannon Windsor from the Aileen Robertson School of Highland Dancing, and what grand dancers they are.
The Best Dressed competition then followed to select who would lead the procession. Attired as Lord Summerisle, Mario Sarno from Stoke was the natural winner and handed the honour, fronting the colourfully costumed procession with Johnny Gauld on Bagpipe duty and out very own Punch cutting capers, until reaching the summit where the original Wicker Man burned 52 years ago.
This time a Wicker Woman had been constructed in its place and was set spectacularly ablaze as the crowd sang Sumer Is Icumen In, while a group of witches from Fairies in Boots gave their blessing with a rendition of We All Come from the Goddess.
As the flames eventually died down, it was back to the bar for a performance by folk trio The Bookshop Band, whose latest album Emerge, Return was produced by and features no less than Pete Townsend.
Again, the event was thoroughly enjoyed by all in attendance and its atmosphere unique. This was not just a fan convention but a gathering of artists, musicians, writers and those versed in the esoteric arts. Friendships were renewed and, I suspect, lifelong friendships made.
There is already talk of a return celebration for the film’s 60th anniversary in 2033, but that being eight years away will there be gatherings in between? After all… You don’t keep the Wicker Man waiting.
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