A film and tv option has been sold, for METAGAMA: A Journey from Lewis to the New World which tells the story of the Lewis emigrations of the 1920s.

Author JIM WILKIE has signed a contract with the book’s publisher Birlinn Ltd and UK film production company Black Island Media. The film company principals Simon G. Forrest and Ilaria D’Elia, both of whom have strong Scottish connections, will develop the project.

Wilkie, who spoke in Lewis during the emigration centenary celebrations, said ‘The centenary was obviously important to this and I am grateful to the Islands Books Trust and the Lewis people generally who sustained interest in the book and helped secure a reprint in 2023. The film option is an exciting new development.’

A spokesperson for Black Island Media said, ‘We’re delighted to have optioned Jim’s book which contains some of the most extensive research into the fascinating history of emigration from the Highlands into North America in the early part of the last century. It will ground our fictional characters in the reality of what really happened to the people that left and the ones that stayed behind.’

A spokesperson for Birlinn said, ‘We are thrilled that Black Island Media have been inspired by Jim’s deep research and resulting work, Metagama: A Journey from Lewis to the New World. We were proud to publish such a detailed and moving book on this aspect of the story of the island of Lewis. And now we look forward to seeing a screen treatment which draws on Jim’s connections with those who undertook that vast journey from Stornoway to Montreal and a new life ahead. Their bravery and anticipation can only be imagined, along with the loss and heartbreak for those they left behind. All but 20 of those who sailed were young men. The average age of those on board was 22.’

What’s the story?

In April 1923 the SS Metagama weighed anchor off Stornoway and set sail for Montreal. On board were three hundred young men and women bound for a new life in North America. Partly driven by the lure of opportunities overseas, these young Leosachs were also participants in the new government programme of state-aided emigration.

Based on personal interviews with those who travelled to the New World on the Metagama and other ships, Jim Wilkie sets their story in the context of emigration in Lewis over the centuries, to produce a fascinating insight into one of the central events in the island’s history.

Who is Jim Wilkie?

Jim Wilkie was born and educated in Dundee and was a co-founder of the West Highland Free Press in 1972.  He enjoyed a career as a singer/songwriter with artistes as diverse as Billy Connolly and Maggie Reilly recording his work.  His song, ‘Donald, My Son’ – a reflection upon Trump’s Gaelic heritage – was  streamed as a single in 2017 by Raucous Records, San Francisco. He also served as a freelance Press and Development Officer with BBC Scotland, the Royal Over-Seas League and the National Gaelic Mod. Metagama was his second book, first published in 1987.