Pupils play Holmes and Watson in forest concert movie

Now Sherlock Holmes and his sidekick Dr Watson are to feature in a new mystery starring two budding Capital actors.

School pupils Hubert Dymarkowski and Alicja Turek have become stars of the small screen in the 15-minute film, entitled The Case of the Disappearing Forests, which will be premiered during a concert at the Usher Hall on Saturday.

The film was commissioned as part of a programme of events for the UN International Year of Forests, which includes the Concert for Trees.

It sees Holmes and Watson investigating the disappearance of forests.

The Dalry Primary pupils were chosen to play the parts of the famous sleuths – created by Edinburgh-born author Sir Arthur Conan Doyle – following a project as the school.

They worked with city woodworker and environmentalist Steve Burnett, who has created musical instruments from a felled sycamore that once stood in the childhood Liberton home of Conan Doyle.

Mr Burnett asked independent film-maker David Moss to make a film especially for the Usher Hall concert.

As he had worked with Dalry pupils, he wanted them to be involved in the production. Ten-year-old Hubert was chosen to play Holmes, while Alicja, also ten, got the part of Watson.

The children worked with Mr Moss on location on the Royal Mile and the Meadows, investigating why trees are disappearing at such an alarming rate.

Acting headteacher Sally Barker said: “They had evening filming in the studio and went filming out and about in Edinburgh, which was obviously very exciting for them.

“They enjoyed being part of it, but were surprised that it wasn’t as glamourous as they first thought as they had to work hard and do a lot of takes.

“They have become minor celebrities in the school and they can’t wait to watch the film for the first time on Saturday with their families.”

Mr Burnett first created the “Sherlock Violin” from the sycamore tree to celebrate the 150th anniversary of Conan Doyle’s birth.

He then created a further four instruments – dubbed The Conan Doyle Quartet – which will be played at charity events.

The tree in question grew at Liberton Bank House, next to Cameron Toll shopping centre, now occupied by Dunedin School. When it was to be felled two years ago due to disease, the school commissioned Mr Burnett to create a lasting memento.

Mr Burnett said the film was “fantastic”. He added: “The kids have really embraced the message that the environment needs local support from school pupils and their families to help international work being done.

“Hopefully [Mr Moss] is going to release the film as an educational film for use in other schools. I can’t wait to see it on Saturday.”