INVERCLYDE is featuring in a long-awaited remake of the film classic ‘Whisky Galore!’.

Filming is taking place at and near the Cornalees Bridge Centre for the movie, which stars comedian Eddie Izzard, Rab C Nesbitt actor Gregor Fisher and James Cosmo, whose credits include Braveheart.

Several film crew caravans are at Cornalees, and it’s believed they will be filming around the Loch Thom area for a couple of days.

Inverclyde is among a number of locations across Scotland that will be seen in the film, written by award-winning Peter McDougall of Greenock, who shot to fame with Just Another Saturday 40 years ago.

The film is based on the novel by Compton Mackenzie about the true story of the wartime wreck of the SS Politician on the island of Eriskay.

The 1949 fictional version saw the people of the Hebridean islands of Great Todday and Little Todday salvage and smuggle a huge cargo of whisky from the SS Cabinet Minister, after it is wrecked on their islands.

The new film is being directed by Gillies MacKinnon, who said it is a modern adaptation of the story, not a literal remake of Alexander Mackendrick’s original movie version.

He said: “The style is contemporary, embracing drama, romance and comedy, with an array of colourful characters providing a platform for a wonderful cast.” Producer Iain Maclean, who was born on Lewis, said he wanted to remake the film because more evidence is available on the true story of the SS Politician.

He said: “We have the cinematic talents of a new generation of British actors. The perennial story of a united community putting itself against officialdom and authority has resonance the world over.

“It is the purpose of this film to tap into that international sharing, and genuinely entertain a world audience with a popular tale that is universal.” Some of the new version is being filmed in Portsoy, Aberdeenshire, and it is understood boat scenes will be shot at Loch Lomond and in a water tank in Glasgow.