The Hermit of Treig

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The Hermit of Treig

Released Apr 4

1h 19m

Documentary

Biography

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100%

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8 Reviews

90%

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Fewer than 50 Ratings

A meticulous diarist and avid photographer, Ken Smith has spent the past four decades in the Scottish Highlands, living alone in a log cabin nestled near Loch Treig, known as 'the lonely loch'. He has no electricity or running water. He lives off the land, fishing for his supper, chopping wood, and even brewing his own tipple. Filmed over 10 years, director Lizzie Mackenzie poetically captures Ken's profound, spiritual relationship with the wilderness: "If you love the land, it loves you back". Now in his 70s, Ken reflects upon the reasons he turned his back on society, the vulnerability of old age and the awe and wonder of a life lived in nature in this humorous, transcendent and life affirming feature documentary.

Wendy Ide

Observer (UK)

[A] lovely, compassionate documentary...

Rated: 4/5

Mar 27, 2022

Full Review

Phuong Le

Guardian

When a film-maker is clearly captivated by their subject, the film can compel viewers to fall in love as well.

Rated: 3/5

Mar 21, 2022

Full Review

Mark Jackson

Epoch Times

If you're a fan of wilderness writer Farley Mowat and fly-fisherman-author John Gierach, you'll enjoy this documentary about Scottish hermit-author Ken Smith.

Rated: 4/5

Apr 11, 2025

Full Review

Avi Offer

NYC Movie Guru

Spellbinding, provocative and heartfelt.

Apr 3, 2025

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Christopher Stevens

Daily Mail (UK)

Portrays a man with a touch of poetry in his soul, who is apparently immune to loneliness.

Rated: 5/5

May 26, 2022

Full Review

Edward Porter

Sunday Times (UK)

There are things to be learnt from his lifestyle and his appreciation of nature, but the film doesn’t preach: it’s merely a portrait of an individual.

Rated: 4/5

Mar 27, 2022

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Bryan M

Beautifully shot, gorgeous cinematography with an awesome soundtrack. Ken’s minimal life is made into a magical and esoteric tour de force. The director deserves an Oscar. I want to bring friends and see it again.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/05/25

Full Review

Joe H

An interesting and heart warming tale, I only wish a longer cut was available that delved more into Ken's past and his early years in his cabin.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/04/24

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Lizzie MacKenzie

Director

Ken Smith

Self

Naomi Spiro

Producer

Lizzie MacKenzie

Cinematographer

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Synopsis

A meticulous diarist and avid photographer, Ken Smith has spent the past four decades in the Scottish Highlands, living alone in a log cabin nestled near Loch Treig, known as 'the lonely loch'. He has no electricity or running water. He lives off the land, fishing for his supper, chopping wood, and even brewing his own tipple. Filmed over 10 years, director Lizzie Mackenzie poetically captures Ken's profound, spiritual relationship with the wilderness: "If you love the land, it loves you back". Now in his 70s, Ken reflects upon the reasons he turned his back on society, the vulnerability of old age and the awe and wonder of a life lived in nature in this humorous, transcendent and life affirming feature documentary.

Director: Lizzie MacKenzie
Producer: Naomi Spiro
Distributor: Monkey Wrench Films
Production Co: Aruna Productions
Genre: Documentary, Biography
Original Language: British English
Release Date (Theaters): Apr 4, 2025, Limited
Runtime: 1h 19m