It's not a Scottish species so how did flock of Egyptian Geese find their way into new movie?

Peter Mullan stars as a melancholy man with a fixation on the past

THE Egyptian Goose is a scarce bird in Scotland, usually only seen singly or in pairs, so it is a surprise when a whole flock of them feature prominently towards The Fall of Sir Douglas Weatherford  currently on release in British cinemas.

According to the movie, the species was introduced north of the border in the 18th Century by Sir Douglas Weatherford, an eminent explorer, collector of exotic birds, philosopher  and surgeon with a special interest in mental illness.

In ancient Egypt, the strange-looking goose was venerated such that it frequently appears in the art of that period.

And it is, maybe, because of this  almost mythical reputation that the birds achieve a starring role near the end of this absorbing film.

Trouble is Sir Douglas is an entirely fictional character.

Another anomaly in this dark comedy, directed by Sean Dunn, is that the species is referred to not as Egyptian Goose but as "Marshbird".

No matter, it is a most entertaining film with a cast headed by the always excellent  Peter Mullan.

Amid the delightfully scenic Scottish setting, birder-moviegoers will also detect the sound of a Cuckoo and glimpse  a Scarlet Ibis (albeit a stuffed museum piece) and a painting depicting a male Golden Oriole.

Egyptian Goose - species has part to play in new film