The Screen Machine service
Screen Machine is a mobile cinema that visits 44 communities across the Highlands and Islands of Scotland. Touring on a continual basis, it uses a special hydraulics system to unfold into an auditorium with 72 cinema seats and a high-quality laser projector that immerses the audience in the full cinematic experience. Almost half of our communities are islands, and you can see a full list of them and where we park on our Locations page.
Since the service started in 1998, we have used three mobile cinemas: Screen Machine 1 (from 1998 to 2005), Screen Machine 2 (2005 to 2023), and the Cinemobile (2023 to 2026). In 2024 we launched a public fundraising campaign to build Screen Machine 3, and successfully reached our target of £1.49m in December 2025. We expect this new Screen Machine to start touring in Autumn 2026.
We’re delighted we get to bring this service to so many people. Whether you’re a local or just passing through, everyone is welcome to come in, sit back, and get lost in a movie.
Who We Are
The Screen Machine staff consists of the operators, the office team, and the ushers. We all work together to keep the wheels turning and the films screening as we make our way between our communities.
SCREEN MACHINE OPERATORS
Iain MacColl – Senior Operator
Kevan Jamieson – Operator
Billy Dalgleish – Operator
Our operators take Screen Machine around its circuit. They open and close it before and after every visit, act as front of house staff to greet you before a screening, and as projectionist they get the film on screen. Amongst all of this, they carry out regular maintenance to keep Screen Machine in good condition.
OFFICE TEAM
Simon Drysdale – Interim CEO
Fiona Fowler – General Manager
Angie Jennings – Administrator
Drew Taylor – Operations and Communications Assistant
Our office team handles a lot of the service’s ‘behind the scenes’ work. This includes arranging our parking for each visit, programming the films you watch, and distributing our marketing materials, as well as many other administrative and logistical tasks.
USHERS
Each of our 44 locations has at least one usher who supports the operator and customers during every screening. They can tell you where to find the nearest toilet, or may assist you entering the auditorium if you have mobility issues. All ushers are local to the area and act as a valuable link between the community and the operational side of the service.
Regional Screen Scotland
Screen Machine is owned and operated by Regional Screen Scotland, a company limited by guarantee with charitable status. It aims to enable more people in more places to share great screen experiences. It receives multi-year funding from Creative Scotland through Screen Scotland, as well as contributions from various trusts and foundations.
As a charity, RSS is managed by a board of voluntary trustees who are drawn from a variety of backgrounds, from law and accounting to community development.
You can read more about RSS on its website here.