Feature documentary synopsis

This film follows the rollercoaster journey of Maggy Stead as she battles to secure the future of one of Scotland’s most extraordinary homes: The Steading. Grade A-listed for its cultural significance, it is a work of art sculpted from wood by her late husband Tim.

The film weaves the remarkable stories of the passionate people who worked with Tim to explore how he evolved as an innovative furniture designer and wood sculptor, creating some of Scotland’s most popular public art.  Tim’s belief to put back in to the environment more than he took out led to pioneering the creation of the first community woodland in Britain which kickstarted the community land ownership movement in Scotland and internationally. 

A deeply moving human interest story about a family, the bonds of love and grief, loyalty and friendship, collaboration and community alongside our relationship with trees and Nature as a catalyst for our creativity and well being in the face of climate change.

“If we didn’t have trees, our planet would be dead,” reflects Giles Sutherland. 

Can Maggy and her friends protect Tim’s legacy to inspire future generations to create and work with wood? Or will it be lost forever? “Just a big bonfire”, as Maggy says in a moment of despair. 

Beatrix A. Wood - Director’s Bio

I look, see, question. I listen. Then I film.

I sculpt stories from words and images.

I create from my heart and soul.

I edit, hone and hew.

I share.

I have been making international award-winning films for over 30 years: from a Communist boy hero in Siberia narrated by “James Bond” to cult rock stars in Mumbai; from a Sami yoiker protecting her way of life in Lapland to a Presidential Aide framed for aggravated espionage; from Crofters on the Outer Hebrides to Red Army conscripts living on the run in underground forest bunkers in Estonia, from the largest unsolved murder mystery in Finland to Scottish fishermen fighting for their livelihoods in the face of Brexit. The films have won multiple prizes at festivals and been successfully distributed in cinemas and on TV around the world.