Start Trek XI may premiere in Linlithgow

Jan 31 2008 By Alistair Watson, West Lothian Courier

LINLITHGOW could be in line to boldly go where no West Lothian town has gone before and host the European premiere of the new Star Trek XI movie.

The town is already home to Scotland’s first Star Trek exhibition after it was named as the future birthplace of character Montgomery Scott, played by Canadian actor James Doohan.

The James Doohan Memorial Exhibition beamed down to the public when it opened in Linlithgow’s Annet House museum on Friday, August 3 last year.

And now West Lothian Council officials hope stars of the new movie will drop in to Linlithgow if the movie makers give the go-ahead for the town to host the premiere.

The campaign to bring the European debut of the film to Linlithgow is being coordinated by the small town of Vulcan, in Alberta, Canada.

The people of Vulcan, which has a population of just under 2000, launched a bid last year to host the world premiere.

The town’s tourism department has set up a group on the popular social networking internet site Facebook, and now has the backing of nearly 800 members.

But now the town has invited Linlithgow — as the future birthplace of Scotty, who will be played by English actor Simon Pegg in the new film — to join their campaign.

And a similar invite has been sent to Riverside, Iowa, the future birthplace of Captain Kirk.

Dayna Dickens, Tourism Coordinator for Vulcan County, said: “Rather than having Vulcan alone host the world premiere of the film, we would ask to host the Canadian premiere; Linlithgow, Scotland, the European premiere; and, Riverside, Iowa to host the American premiere.

“Because the new film’s storyline is being written around a young Kirk, Spock and Scotty, I think it would be fitting to have our small communities host the premiere, as future birthplaces of these famous characters.”

The campaign has the full backing of West Lothian Council officials.

They hope the glamour and glitz of a Hollywood-style premiere would bring a boost to tourism in the county.

Provost Tom Kerr, said there would be some logistical issues to overcome if Linlithgow was to host the film, one of them being the fact that the town has no cinema.

He said: “West Lothian would be honoured to host the first screening of the new Star Trek movie.

“As the birthplace of Scotty, I think it would be totally appropriate that Linlithgow join with Vulcan County, Canada and Riverside, Iowa to host the film premiere.

“There would be logistical issues to overcome but I think we should join the campaign to bring this event to Linlithgow which would give a boost to the local tourist industry and ensure that Scotty’s birthplace is beamed world-wide.

“I know Linlithgow residents would provide film fans from across the globe with a warm welcome.”

Councillor Martyn Day, Executive member for Development and Transport, added: “We would certainly offer help with the organisation of the film premiere should they decide to air it in West Lothian.

“The James ‘Scotty’ Doohan memorial exhibition at Annet House was extremely popular and attracted visitors from all over the world.

“A major international production, such as this, could give a massive boost to tourism and attract thousands of visitors to West Lothian.”