The Hermit of Treig
Discussion
I barely watch any tele, but an article about this on the BBC website caught my eye so I watched it on iPlayer.
It's a documentary film about a man who has lived in isolation on the banks of Treig for the past 40 years. Really beautifully shot and the chap who is the subject of the film is a very talented photographer himself. I found it quite humbling and inspirational, well worth an hour of your time.
It's a documentary film about a man who has lived in isolation on the banks of Treig for the past 40 years. Really beautifully shot and the chap who is the subject of the film is a very talented photographer himself. I found it quite humbling and inspirational, well worth an hour of your time.
I saw it and yes, a delightfully simple bit of TV.
I’m not sure he’s quite the hermit he was made out to be though. There was plenty of shop-bought “stuff” in his shack, and he had battery powered torches so obviously mingles with civilisation a fair bit. Likewise he wasn’t totally without running water as there was footage of him using a garden hose to fill his bath (even if it was outdoors!)
The other bit I couldn’t get my head round is how he’s funded himself to this point.
His “log cabin” appeared fairly well established with a few outbuildings, and presumably he must own/rent the land he’s on.
I can’t help thinking there’s money (or lack of) involved somewhere. He’s either absolutely minted and doesn’t want anyone else getting their hands on it, or he’s totally skint and simply can’t afford anything more even if he wanted it.
I’m not sure he’s quite the hermit he was made out to be though. There was plenty of shop-bought “stuff” in his shack, and he had battery powered torches so obviously mingles with civilisation a fair bit. Likewise he wasn’t totally without running water as there was footage of him using a garden hose to fill his bath (even if it was outdoors!)
The other bit I couldn’t get my head round is how he’s funded himself to this point.
His “log cabin” appeared fairly well established with a few outbuildings, and presumably he must own/rent the land he’s on.
I can’t help thinking there’s money (or lack of) involved somewhere. He’s either absolutely minted and doesn’t want anyone else getting their hands on it, or he’s totally skint and simply can’t afford anything more even if he wanted it.
I thought it was interesting, but raised some questions, as above.
How did he develop his photos?
If he wrote so many letters, and had to walk 27 miles to the letterbox, how did any of his correspondents write back to him?
Does he own the land he's on? If not, why have they let him stay for so long?
Etc.
How did he develop his photos?
If he wrote so many letters, and had to walk 27 miles to the letterbox, how did any of his correspondents write back to him?
Does he own the land he's on? If not, why have they let him stay for so long?
Etc.
Crossflow Kid said:
I saw it and yes, a delightfully simple bit of TV.
I’m not sure he’s quite the hermit he was made out to be though. There was plenty of shop-bought “stuff” in his shack, and he had battery powered torches so obviously mingles with civilisation a fair bit. Likewise he wasn’t totally without running water as there was footage of him using a garden hose to fill his bath (even if it was outdoors!)
The other bit I couldn’t get my head round is how he’s funded himself to this point.
His “log cabin” appeared fairly well established with a few outbuildings, and presumably he must own/rent the land he’s on.
I can’t help thinking there’s money (or lack of) involved somewhere. He’s either absolutely minted and doesn’t want anyone else getting their hands on it, or he’s totally skint and simply can’t afford anything more even if he wanted it.
It did say he's in receipt of a pension. If he wanted to cash in, a book with some of his photos would fly off the shelves - some of them were beautiful.I’m not sure he’s quite the hermit he was made out to be though. There was plenty of shop-bought “stuff” in his shack, and he had battery powered torches so obviously mingles with civilisation a fair bit. Likewise he wasn’t totally without running water as there was footage of him using a garden hose to fill his bath (even if it was outdoors!)
The other bit I couldn’t get my head round is how he’s funded himself to this point.
His “log cabin” appeared fairly well established with a few outbuildings, and presumably he must own/rent the land he’s on.
I can’t help thinking there’s money (or lack of) involved somewhere. He’s either absolutely minted and doesn’t want anyone else getting their hands on it, or he’s totally skint and simply can’t afford anything more even if he wanted it.
I didn't set out to watch it, thought I'd catch the first few minutes, and stayed to the end. A great programme. Don't fancy his home brew though...
I guess it's feasible for him to have inherited enough money from his parents to maintain his choice of lifestyle, and there was no mention of any siblings.
The documentary was made over the course of two years, I wonder if the film-maker lived with him for the whole time, that could explain the presence of more household items around the place. I think I read somewhere that she had known him for much longer and it took many years to convince him to make the film. She had obviously developed a good relationship with him anyway, which Is the real skill of any documentary maker, in my opinion. There is apparently a longer version due to be released in cinemas.
The documentary was made over the course of two years, I wonder if the film-maker lived with him for the whole time, that could explain the presence of more household items around the place. I think I read somewhere that she had known him for much longer and it took many years to convince him to make the film. She had obviously developed a good relationship with him anyway, which Is the real skill of any documentary maker, in my opinion. There is apparently a longer version due to be released in cinemas.
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