Finding David Douglas Film Premiere

08/10/2012
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The fascinating life and achievements of Scone-born David Douglas – Perthshire’s world renowned plant collector – have been captured and celebrated in a new documentary film – Finding David Douglas.

David Douglas (1799 - 1834) - often referred to as the 'Father of Forestry' in Western North America - introduced over 200 new plant species to European botany, forestry and horticulture, including the Douglas fir, Sitka spruce, lupins, sunflowers and the ubiquitous flowering currant. His explorations exploration of the New World helped changed the face of horticulture and forestry in Europe.

The film features outstanding scenery in locations as far afield as the Canadian Rockies, British Columbia, Oregon’s Blue Mountains and Hawaii, and, of course, spectacular shots from Perthshire, including Douglas’ birthplace at Scone Palace.

Provost Elizabeth Grant, who will visit Perth Museum, on Thursday 1 November, for the premiere of the film commented: “Today Perthshire is known as ‘Big Tree Country’ a brand which generates some £1.8 million of tourism activity per annum to the local economy. Without the strenuous effort and total dedication of David Douglas some 200 years ago, the Perthshire landscape would be quite different. We have a lot to be thankful to Douglas for and this film is a tremendous tribute to an intrepid Perthshire adventurer.”

Syd House, Forestry Commission Scotland, who has been involved with the Perthshire Big Tree Country initiative since its inception over 13 years ago added: “The story of David Douglas is a wonderful adventure ranging from Scotland to the rivers, mountains and landscapes of California and the Pacific Northwest to Hudson’s Bay and, ultimately, to his death in a bull-pit in Hawaii.”

“Douglas’s adventures are real round-the-world tales of wrestling with the elements and everything else that nature could throw with him along with the rawness of frontier life amongst restless natives. And all for the love of plants! The team making and filming this adventure story went to all the locations on Douglas’s expeditions and have captured the essence of his great adventures. If you want to be stunned by his journeys and over-awed by his discoveries then come along and the see the documentary.”

In recent years, Perth and Kinross Countryside Trust has brought the story of David Douglas to over 1400 school children through its unique outdoor learning project Woodlands Words and Wonders. With the launch of this documentary film which will be made available free for educational purposes his story will reach an even wider audience.

Tickets for the premiere and drinks reception at Perth Museum on Thursday 1 November at 7.00pm are available from Perth and Kinross Countryside Trust by telephoning 01738 475256 or emailing kirsty.scott@pkct.org The event is free of charge but donations to help repair the David Douglas Memorial in the grounds of Scone Old Parish Church will be gratefully received.

The film was put together by the Oregon Cultural Heritage Commission, and has been backed by Forestry Commission Scotland, the Scottish Forest Trust, and supported by the US Forest Service and Parks Canada.

For more information please visit our website at http://bit.ly/VH4dp7

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