The Great Mountain Sheep Gather
Awards
- Winner – BAFTA CRAFT AWARDS 2021, BEST PHOTOGRAPHY FACTUAL
- nominated – BEST ORIGINAL PROGRAMME BROADCAST AWARDS 2021
- Winner – GUILD OF TELEVISION CAMERA PEOPLE AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE 2021, DRONE AND CAMERA TEAM
1 x 100’.
Scafell Pike is England’s tallest mountain and home to a flock of native Herdwick sheep. Every summer, their shepherd must gather these notoriously hardy sheep and bring them down to the farm for shearing.
The Great Mountain Sheep Gather charts this journey across the fells with epic bird’s-eye view photography descending into the valley below. This timeless event has taken place in the Lake District for over a thousand years. Opening at dawn with the shepherd blindly navigating the foggy peaks and crags, this film reveals the skill, knowledge and bravery needed to care for a flock in this rugged land.
As the fog lifts to expose the breathtaking landscape, and the small pockets of sheep merge into one big group, the voice of Lakeland shepherd Andrew Harrison allows us to see this unique world through his eyes – the knowledge of the dogs, farmers and sheep passed down from generation to generation for centuries, the challenges of life in the fells, and the conflict posed by visitors and the 21st century.
Specially commissioned poetry written by Mark Pajak and read by Maxine Peake provides a counterpoint to the shepherd’s insights throughout this film.
Watch the film on iPlayer:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000hb4r
