Produced by Walk the Plank, and written, directed and edited by Mark Murphy with a score by Nainita Desai and special effects by SFX Director and Senior Creative Advisor Richard Babington, the Finale film follows the journey of Lumenators, carrying specially designed Geolights. The lights were designed and developed by Siemens with partner Core Lighting and Walk the Plank.
Four Peaks Finale
September
Locations:
- Scafell Pike: Lake District National Park
- Ben Nevis: Ben Nevis and Glen Coe NSA
- Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon): Parc Cenedlaethol Eyri/Snowdonia National Park
- Slieve Donard: Mourne AONB
The Finale
Green Space Dark Skies has journeyed across the UK from North Ronaldsay to Exmoor, from Giant’s Causeway to the Brecon Beacons, creating artworks in 16 stunning locations throughout the summer.
In September thousands of Lumenators travelled to the four highest mountains in the UK: Scafell Pike in England, Ben Nevis in Scotland, Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) in Wales and Slieve Donard in Northern Ireland to create the Green Space Dark Skies Finale film.
At each mountain, Lumenators arrived at Basecamp at lunchtime to check in, pick up their Geolights and In-Ear Monitors and start rehearsing their moves, with support from our Performance Captains. After a break for food and a final kit check, the Lumenators started their journey up the mountain to the designated performance area. Our Mountain Safety team were on hand to provide help on the ascent and descent.
Following a little rest and recuperation then final rehearsals, everyone was ready to start the filming at dusk, before the final descent in the dark below starry skies.
About Ben Nevis
The Halfway Lochan was the stunning location for our filming at Ben Nevis.
An ancient giant of the land, Ben Nevis was once a massive active volcano which exploded and collapsed inwards on itself millions of years ago. At the summit, there is evidence of an explosion in the form of light-coloured granite. The name itself has two translations from the ancient Gaelic language, meaning ‘mountain with its head in the clouds’, thanks to its iconic mist-shrouded peak, or it can also mean ‘venomous mountain’.
It was truly amazing. Lots of laughs and groans but wouldn’t have changed anything.
About Yr Wyddfa/Snowdon
To protect the landscape at Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon), there were no public Lumenators. We worked with a small group of 30 circus performers and dancers, brought together by local company CircoArts on the shingly shoreline of Lyn Llydaw in the shadow of the summit.
Standing at over 3,000 feet, Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) is the highest mountain in the National Park, known throughout the world. It is most popular for its challenging walks, but the majority of the land is home to several mountain farms. The mountain supports rare wildlife and has been designated a National Nature Reserve for its unique flora and fauna.
Performance opportunities of this scale in our area are rare and we were thrilled that what we created will be going out to an audience of millions!
By far the most challenging yet exhilarating and rewarding experience I’ve ever had the pleasure to partake in.
About Scafell Pike
We were inspired by the volcanic origins of Scafell Pike creating a volcano at Lingmell with our Lumenators and special effects team.
Lake District National Park is famous for its stunning scenery, abundant wildlife and cultural heritage. England’s largest National Park was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2017, recognising its dramatic farmed landscape, inspiring people to love and appreciate the place, leading to the birth of the global conservation movement.
The Park is home to Scafell Pike – England’s highest mountain, Wastwater – its deepest lake, and thriving communities like Keswick and Bowness-on-Windermere.
About Slieve Donard
The Mourne Wall, managed by NI Water, at Slieve Donard celebrates its centenary this year and formed the centrepiece of our filming location.
Slieve Donard has three subsidiary peaks on the seaward side – Millstone Mountain (460 m), Thomas’ Mountain and Crossone. Two glens separate Slieve Donard from the neighbouring mountains of Slieve Commedagh (to the north west) and Chimney Rock Mountain (to the south).
At the summit of Slieve Donard there is a cairn and a small stone tower forming part of the Mourne Wall, which passes over the mountain’s southern and western shoulders. The summit provides spectacular views of the coast and as far afield as Belfast, 30 miles north, and Dublin, 55 miles to the south.
Such a class experience lighting up the mountain and making Slieve Donard twinkle like a Christmas tree
Held at places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty, looked after by National Trust
Writer, Director and Film Editor – Mark Murphy
Senior Creative Advisor and SFX Director – Richard Babington
Composer – Nainita Desai
Creative Producer – John Wassell, Walk the Plank
Film Production – CC-Lab
For the full credits list, see credits listed at the end of the film.
We’d like to thank all the groups who participated:
- All Nations Sport Arts and Recreation (Glasgow ANSAR)
- Girls On Hills
- Kingdom Youth Club
- Lochaber and Lorn Ramblers
- Lochaber Environmental Group
- Muslim Hikers
- Scafell Stragglers
- School of Adventure Studies: West Highland College, University of The Highlands and Islands
- Spa Women’s Institute
- Super Slow Way
- Trek Therapy
- Wave Forward
- West Cumbria Refugee Support Network (WCRSN)
With thanks to our Supporting Partners:
- Lake District National Park
- Snowdonia National Park
- Mourne AONB
- Held at places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty, looked after by National Trust
- Jahama / Alvance
- John Muir Trust
- Baron Hill Estate
- Northern Ireland Water
- Natural England
- Nature Scot
- Natural Resources Wales
- Special thanks to Newry, Mourne and Down District Council, Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA), Wasdale Parish Council,
A shorter version of this film was originally broadcast on BBC Countryfile on BBC One on 30 October 2022. You can watch the full one-hour special on BBC iPlayer.
Countryfile is produced by BBC Studios Factual Entertainment Productions. The Series Editor is Jane Lomas and Series Producer is Mark Beech.
Photos: Brian Morrison and Phil Smyth for Slieve Donard; Geraint Thomas, Panorama Photography for Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon), Alan Mcateer and Lucy Hamilton for Ben Nevis; David Bewick and Jason Lock for Scafell Pike.