Returning to Berneray

Description

The film takes place on the island of Berneray, a community with deep-rooted crofting traditions. In 1981, Allen Moore documented these traditions in “The Shepherds of Berneray,” focusing on the lives of the Gaelic-speaking islanders. After maintaining a long-standing friendship with the community, he began revisiting Berneray in 2016 to document the changes and continuities in island life over a decade. “Returning to Berneray,” set to release in 2026, combines 16mm outtakes from the late 1970s with contemporary HD digital footage. The documentary examines the evolution of local traditions and the impact of modern influences on the community. Throughout the film, Moore interacts with islanders, capturing their experiences and reflections on change, while juxtaposing past and present images to highlight the continuity of their heritage.