THE MORAY PUBLIC have been given the opportunity to view first-hand the costumes and props featured in the big screen adaptation of Shakespeare’s Macbeth.
While the movie starring Michael Fassbender and Marion Cotillard portrays the fictional Macbeth, the true tale of Moray having been the real-life King’s domain has been recognised by the film’s producers.
Items from the film – including Macbeth’s boots, Lady Macbeth’s banquet dress and one of the three witches’ garments – have been loaned to museums in Moray.
Clothes maker Johnstons of Elgin are displaying the banquet costume along with Macbeth’s tunic and wool blanket, while he and Lady Macbeth’s coronation costumes will later be added to the display following a show in London. Meanwhile a banquet dress and riding outfit together with accessories are on display at Elgin Museum.
Macbeth’s battle costume has been loaned to Brodie Castle near Forres as well as Lady Macbeth’s dress and cloak in which she delivers the famous “Out damned spot” speech.
The Falconer Museum in Forres has one of the witches’ costumes as well as the costumes of the characters Duncan, Banquo and Fleance.
The collection will be displayed at the four venues until the start of November when all the items will move to the Moray Art Centre in Findhorn.
Scott Armstrong, of VisitScotland, said: “I’ve no doubt that film fans up and down the country will relish the opportunity to see costumes that not only appear in this new film but are also worn by some of its biggest stars.
“It’s fantastic to see local tourism businesses capitalising on this outstanding opportunity and I hope that the film will lead to even more visitors coming to the Highlands and Moray to tread the same ground as one of Scotland’s most famous kings.”
The collection – which includes daggers and jewellery – has been loaned by StudioCanal as part of a partnership agreement they reached with VisitScotland to promote Scotland on the back of the release of the film in the UK from October 2.
Esme Saville, of Moray Speyside Tourism, said: “We are delighted to have these costumes here bringing a little of the magic of the movies to Moray and we hope that it will bring people to the towns to appreciate their history and culture.”