Recreating SV Muirneag

Canna House

National Trust for Scotland

Project Services

Drone / Aerial

Videotography

Gimbal Operator

Post Production

Project Summary

Steven Gourlay Media produced a 15-minute documentary-style video introducing the Recreating SV Muirneag project, Scotland’s last surviving Zulu Lugger. The work involved interviewing two of the boat builders and the local harbour master, capturing environmental and contextual b-roll around the harbour and workshop, and shaping these elements into an engaging YouTube video to help raise early awareness and support before the physical build began. This was a particularly rewarding project, as it drew on a wide range of the creative services I offer—from interviewing and filming to narrative development and post-production.

Hopfully continuing once the project gets the necessary funding.

Aerial Services

Drone Services

For this project, I used the DJI Inspire 3 to capture dynamic aerial footage, filming the boat builders at work on another project and gathering location shots that highlighted the boatyard’s proximity to Ullapool and helped set the overall scene. I also used the 75mm lens for intimate close-up shots that blend seamlessly with ground-based footage—exactly the kind of subtle, cinematic drone work I enjoy most.

Videotography

Videotography / Cameraman

For the camerawork, I used my two-camera interview setup, with the Canon C300 Mk III as the primary camera and the versatile DJI Ronin 4D on Flex as the secondary angle. Filming in the boat builders’ shed presented its own challenges, particularly the constantly changing light, and with the location being quite exposed, wind was also a persistent issue. Using Rycote-style windshields, careful wind-blocking techniques, controlled video lighting, and negative fill, I was able to stabilise both the audio and the look of each scene. This combination ensured the interviews maintained a consistent, polished, and cinematic feel despite the shifting conditions.

Post Production

Editing

In post-production, I synced and refined all audio sources, then assembled the interviews, b-roll, and aerial footage into a cohesive 15-minute main video with a clear narrative flow. I carried out full colour grading to give the film a consistent, cinematic look, and also produced a series of shorter social media reels by repurposing standout moments and visuals. This approach ensured the project had both a polished primary film and a wide range of engaging content for online promotion.