Hamish Henderson – An Artist’s “Inspiration”

Film presented by Charles Nasmyth, produced and directed by: Michael Lloyd for Flytingfilms.

It is just over 105 years since the birth of iconic folklorist and poet, Hamish Henderson.

Hamish is sometimes seen as a mildly eccentric figure, hefted to the convivial atmosphere of Sandy Bells bar in Edinburgh, holding court amongst musicians and scholars.

In this new film, artist Charles Nasmyth looks at the man behind the legend and asks who Hamish really was? Why was he inspired by his personality, to paint Hamish’s portrait?

A key element in Hamish’s development, was his war-time experience in the Libyan desert. He expressed this movingly in his Somerset Maugham award-winning poems, ‘Elegies for the Dead in Cyrenaica.’

Growing up under influences from all shades of society left Hamish

free to navigate Britain’s class- based culture, without feeling out of place in any company. Paradoxically, he didn’t let his socialist internationalism stand in the way of a passionate belief in self-determination for Scotland. He didn’t raise Scotland above its merits – but valued the country for what it actually is.

Charles admires Hamish’s integrity. Henderson never sold out or compromised his beliefs, even when they caused personal conflict.
The first rendition of Hamish’s rousing, ‘Freedom Come All Ye’ was at a protest about the sighting of missiles at Holy Loch.

Following the film, we invite you to stay for a short discussion of the issues it raises.