Casting in Stornoway for Katie Morag actress

By MIKE MERRITT
Published on 10/03/2013 00:00

AFTER Princess Merida-inspired Brave scored Oscar success, the search for a real life red-haired Scottish child film star was launched yesterday on the Isle of Lewis.

Casting took place in Stornoway to play one of Scotland’s best-loved children’s book characters, the red-haired Katie Morag.

Following the massive success of Balamory, the BBC is making 26 live ­action episodes based on the stories of feisty, independent Katie.

Katie lives close to the jetty above her island’s only shop, where her mother is postmistress and her father runs the general store.

Always dressed in trademark white jumper, kilt and wellies, Katie is the heroine of a series of books written and illustrated by Mairi Hedderwick, who lives on Coll.

The 14-minute episodes will be screened on the CBeebies channel in the ­autumn and made by Scottish production company Move On Up.

“The ideal girl would be aged between six and nine, or possibly a young looking 10-year-old, with red hair, or possibly fair, with a Highland or island accent,” said casting director Orla O’Connor.

“We’re really hoping to find someone from the area, perhaps a child who is having a similar childhood to that of Katie Morag ­herself – that would be ­fantastic.”

Filming will take place on Lewis between April and August.

The books have been enjoyed by children and their parents since the 1980s and are set on the fictional Isle of Struay, off the west coast of Scotland.