For the past four decades, Ken Smith has lived alone in the Scottish Highlands. His home is a log cabin nestled near Loch Treig, known as “the lonely loch.” Ken has no electricity or running water — he lives off the land, fishes for his supper, chops wood, and even brews his own alcohol. Filmed over 10 years, director Lizzie Mackenzie poetically captures Ken’s profound, spiritual relationship with the wilderness.

As Ken likes to say, “if you love the land, it loves you back.”

Now in his 70s, Ken reflects upon the reasons he turned his back on society, the vulnerability of old age, and the wonder of a life lived in nature in this humorous, transcendent and life-affirming BAFTA Award-winning feature documentary.

PRAISE FOR THE HERMIT OF TREIG

When a filmmaker is clearly captivated by their subject, the film can compel viewers to fall in love as well. -Guardian

There are things to be learnt from his lifestyle and his appreciation of nature, but the film doesn’t preach: it’s merely a portrait of an individual. –Sunday Times

Portrays a man with a touch of poetry in his soul, who is apparently immune to loneliness. –Daily Mail

If you’re a fan of wilderness writer Farley Mowat and fly-fisherman-author John Gierach, you’ll enjoy this documentary about Scottish hermit-author Ken Smith. –Epoch Times

The film feels like reading a diary, complete with tiny observations and grand thoughts on life, and by so keenly translating Ken’s life to the screen, The Hermit of Treig gets to the heart of this most unique man and way of living. –One Room With a View

‘R’ 80min

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