(Image: Sonja Blietschau)
Nightmare journeys may feel like a regular occurrence for passengers people travelling to and from Scotland’s islands.
But their experiences are unlikely to match the horror story which unfolds in a chilling new BBC Scotland drama series.
An engine failure at sea and a gruesome discovery in a cafeteria kitchen trigger a series of events which leave passengers and crew fighting for survival in the Gaelic-language series Loch nam Madadh (Wolf Bay), which is being launched in the run-up to Halloween.
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It is set aboard a stricken Caledonian MacBrayne ferry heading from Uig, in Skye, to Lochmaddy, in North Uist, as fears mount that a wolf is running wild on board the vessel. Lochmaddy’s name, which dates back to the 17th century, is said to be inspired by the creature-shaped rocks in its bay.
Elspeth Turner and Ellen Macdonald play Margaret and Màiri in the new Gaelic-language BBC horror series Loch nam Madadh (Wolf Bay). (Image: Sonja Blietschau)
One of CalMac’s ferries, MV Loch Frisa, which normally runs between Oban and the Isle of Mull, was used as a filming location in a dry dock in Troon during the making of the series, which was commissioned by BBC Scotland and Gaelic language channel BBC Alba.
Ellen Macdonald and Andrew MacInnes lead the cast of the new Gaelic-language BBC horror show Loch nam Madadh (Wolf Bay). (Image: BBC)
Audiences are being warned to brace themselves for “jump scares” and ”breathless cliffhangers” in the show, which was developed and produced by Glasgow-based Storyboard Studios for the BBC.
Loch nam Madadh, which is mostly set around the stricken ferry, is billed as “an adrenaline-filled, off-kilter drama blending dark humour, island identity and slow burn suspense”.
Andrew MacInnes plays Angus in the new Gaelic-language BBC horror series Loch nam Madadh (Wolf Bay). (Image: Sonja Blietschau)
Created by Hebridean writers Claire Aza-Selinger and Maureen Macleod, the “heart-pumping short-form horror” is made up of six 10-minute episodes, which are being released on both the BBC iPlayer and YouTube on October 23, to encourage audiences to watch it on their mobile phones.
In the series, Andrew MacInnes plays the key character of Angus, a young man returning to North Uist for his grandfather’s funeral after a decade away from the Hebridean island.
He soon finds himself trapped on board with his ex-girlfriend, played by Ellen Macdonald, her mother Margaret, played by Elspeth Turner, and her fiancé, played by Alasdair Jordan, as the "hellhound" wreaks havoc.
Daibhidh Walker is among the stars of the new Gaelic-language BBC horror Loch nam Madadh (Wolf Bay). (Image: Sonja Blietschau)
MacInnnes, who starred in the Gaelic murder mystery series An t-Eilean (The Island) last year, told The Herald: “I’ve always watched horror films. I remember watching them with my older brother and cousins when I probably shouldn’t have been. I love The Shining, the Halloween and Friday the 13th franchises, and all those kind of things.
“I don’t think there have been that many horrors mad in Scotland. They are kind of hard to pull off and hold the suspense.
New Gaelic-language horror series Loch nam Madadh (Wolf Bay), which is set on board a stricken CalMac ferry, was filmed in multiple locations around Scotland. (Image: Sonja Blietschau)
“But I was really impressed with the script for this. It doesn’t show you too much and will give the audience just enough to keep them on the edge of their seats.
“It’s fantastic that they are trying new things with Gaelic television. I never thought I’d be able to be in a Gaelic language horror or that anyone would come up with something like this.
The CalMac ferry MV Loch Frisa was used for the filming of the new Gaelic-language BBC horror series Loch nam Madadh (Wolf Bay). (Image: CalMac)
“It just goes to show you if you have got the right people in the right place you can make anything.”
Macdonald, who previously starred in the BBC Alba drama series Bannan, told The Herald: “I never used to be fan of horror films or anything that would scare me, because I was a bit of a wuss.
New BBC horror show Loch nam Madadh (Wolf Bay), which is set on a stricken CalMac ferry, was shot on multiple locations around Scotland earlier this year. (Image: Sonja Blietschau)
“But then I met my partner and he absolutely loves scary films. I agree to watch them as long as we watch them together and I've actually got quite into them, as long as there's a good storyline. I prefer a psychological thriller and something a bit more creepy, rather than blood and gore.
“I’ve never played a role like this one before. My character goes through a lot of emotions and I had to go to a place I had never been to before to get to those emotions.
“It was a real challenge and was emotionally draining, but it was a challenge I really embraced. I hope that emotion really comes across when people watch the series.
“I also hope people feel that the series has a place among all the other Gaelic content that is out there on the iPlayer and YouTube. They have done something really different with this series. Hopefully it will lead to more Gaelic horrors getting made in future.”
The series was made in multiple locations across Scotland during a two-week shoot in the spring of this year.
MacInnes said: “We were able to film on the CalMac ferry for a couple of days. The rest of the time, the crew had to make it look as if we were in different areas around the ferry, like the car deck.
“It was a real challenge for the crew but they did a really good job of mimicking what it would be like to be on a ferry.”
A former supermarket building was among the locations used for the filming of scenes.
Macdonald added: “It was weird because we were in a massive big empty space, it was really cold, and there were lots of dark alleyways coming off the main room. It definitely felt creepy.”
Gavin Smith, commissioning editor for BBC Scotland said: “We’re delighted to have joined forces with BBC ALBA to go on this wild wolf ride aboard a stricken ferry.
“Claire and Maureen have written a sensational series of short form episodes that are frightening and funny in equal measure.
“The series is part of our strategy to grow our digital first content and we’re sure audiences are up for a bit of horror.”
Bill Macleod, commissioning editor for BBC ALBA added: “Loch nam Madadh is a brilliant riff on the horror genre – fast, fun and frightening.
“Aimed full-square at a younger audience it’s distinctively Gaelic in terms of language and setting, but will thrill and entertain anyone who loves a bit of bite to their drama.”
Natalie Humphreys, executive producer for Storyboard Studios, said: “From the outset, we wanted to make something that felt tonally fresh for the audience - leaning into genre while staying rooted in character, language and place - and it’s a real privilege to bring that to screen with such a brilliant cast and crew.”