"Thrawn", a doggedly Scottish film promoting the importance of snow sports in the Cairngorms and the value of a resilient community.
Patagonia launches a new film documenting the resilient and passionate snow community in the Cairngorms (Scottish Highlands) and their unparalleled dedication to winter sports.
In Scotland, the word "thrawn" can mean "obstinate".but stubborn for good reason. The snow community in the Cairngorms wage a virtuous struggle to make the most of what's available each season. Local resident and three-time Olympian Lesley McKenna grew up with this innate tenacity. She has spent her life pushing the limits of her sport and supporting the people and place that shaped her. Her story and that of her family exemplifies what makes this community so special.
"Thrawn is the ability to make the most of what we have. In the Highlands we are connected to this energy," says Lesley McKenna. "What brought me back to live here is that there is so much potential in the community and the passion that people have to make the most of what life has to offer.
Like many other mountain areas in Europe, the Cairngorms face first-hand the impact of environmental and economic challenges on winter sports and culture. But motivated to fight for what it has, the community is coming together to find ways to protect winter sports and its territories for generations to come. "We will have to roll up our sleeves and do it ourselves. Because no one is going to do it for us," says Lauren MacCallum, campaigner and board member of the Cairngorms National Park Authority. "We can have it all if we work together.
The film shows the unique strength of the snow community in its resilience and stubbornness to make the best of things, which is what "Thrawn" is all about.. Director Hannah Bailey explains that "the Cairngorms breed a special kind of people who make do with what they have and take advantage of every opportunity that comes their way. In times of environmental and social uncertainty, this collective virtue of adaptability and resilience is more important than ever. This story is a case in point.
Thrawn is a film about community resilience and the ability of snow sports to bring people together for a purpose.
Information on Lesley McKenna
Lesley McKenna is a three-time Olympic snowboarder, winter mountain leader and co-founder of Wander Workshops. She has been a pioneering figure in the world of professional snowboarding and has made a lasting impact, not only for her impressive performances on the slopes, but also for advocating for greater recognition and opportunities for women in this category. Lesley is co-founder of Wandering Workshops, which she set up to help make the outdoors more accessible. She now spends her time guiding people in the backcountry on skis and snowboards in the Cairngorms area, working as a coach developer and studying for her PhD at Leeds Beckett University in the field of ethics in sport.
Information on Hannah Bailey
Hannah Bailey is a passionate and award-winning photographer, filmmaker and producer who has been immersed in underground action sports, adventure and outdoor scenes for over 10 years. She has travelled to Afghanistan to document girls' skateboarding in a conflict zone with the NGO Skateistan, to Albania to cover the fight to protect the Vjosa for Patagonia and EcoAlbania, and spends the rest of her time in the Scottish Highlands supporting outdoor communities promoting change. Her storytelling work has focused on individuals, communities and projects that highlight outdoor sports for the good of the environment or society. Driven to promote these stories and messages, she hopes to support the outdoor community to be passionate advocates for change. Her film Patagonia, Thrawn, is part of this project.
