In the Scottish Highlands, the word “thrawn” means “stubborn,” but in a good way. It’s a virtuous struggle to make the most of what’s available. Professional snowboarder Lesley McKenna was raised on thrawn, and she has spent her life pushing the boundaries of her sport while advocating for the people and the place that shaped her.
Join us for a special event celebrating the Cairngorm snow community and the new documentary by Patagonia Films, “Thrawn. We will show the film to the local community that it is about. We invite you to come and share the love of snowsports, plus enjoy some entertainment.
The screening will be followed by a conversation and Q&A with snowboarder Lesley McKenna, activist Lauren MacCallum and filmmaker Hannah Bailey. Plus a very special performance by singer and songwriter, Jenny Sturgeon.
There will also be a donation rail open all afternoon and evening at the pub. Bring a piece to be paid forward to someone who needs it in our community. Hosted by Backcountry.Scot.
Highland Slice pizza van will be on site for slices.
Lesley McKenna is a 3-time Olympic snowboarder, winter mountain leader, and co-founder of Wander Workshops. She has been a trailblazing figure in the world of professional snowboarding, making a lasting impact, not just through her impressive performances on the slopes but also by advocating for greater recognition and opportunities for women in snowboarding. Lesley is the co-founder of Wandering Workshops, which she set up to help make the outdoors a more accessible space. She now spends her time leading people in the backcountry on skis and snowboards around the Cairngorms whilst working as a coach developer and studying for her Ph.D. at Leeds Beckett University in the area of ethics in sport.
Hannah Bailey is a passionate award-winning photographer, director and producer who has been immersed in the underground scenes of action sports, adventure and the outdoors for over 10 years. She has travelled to Afghanistan to document girls skateboarding in a conflict zone with NGO Skateistan, Albania to cover the fight to protect the Vjosa for Patagonia and EcoAlbania, and spends the rest of the time in the Highlands of Scotland supporting outdoor communities driving change. Her work as a storyteller has focused on individuals, communities and projects that highlight outdoor sports for environmental or societal good. Driven to push these stories and messages, she hopes to support the outdoors community in being passionate advocates for change. Her Patagonia Film, Thrawn is a part of that.
Lauren MacCallum is an author, broadcaster and general manager for climate action charity Protect Our Winters UK (POW UK). Lauren lives in the Scottish Highlands and is a passionate environmental communicator featuring in projects for the BBC, ITN, Youtube Originals and Patagonia films. She believes in the power of the outdoor industry and community to aid in radical and transformational change and has championed that belief through intense growth and environmental campaigning periods at POW UK.
Jenny Sturgeon is a Scottish singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and sound artist. As a solo artist, she has released two acclaimed albums and EPs. Her music combines field recordings with sonic and lyrical imagery which is bound together by common threads of nature, folklore and the connection people have with the landscape. Jenny's album 'The Living Mountain' was nominated for the 2021 Scottish Album of the Year awards and won Best Acoustic at the 2020 Scottish Alternative Music Awards.
