Saoirse Ronan wins BAFTA Scotland Award for The Outrun

Saoirse Ronan was named Best Actress in Film/Television at the BAFTA Scotland Awards for her role in The Outrun.

Though she was unable to attend the ceremony, her friend and fellow nominee Izuka Hoyle accepted the award and read a message from Ronan.

Ronan praised the film’s collaborative spirit, thanking director Nora Fingscheidt, author Amy Liptrot, whose memoir inspired the film, and the entire cast and crew.

She also paid tribute to Orkney, where the film was shot and set. “This would not have been possible without you,” she wrote, adding gratitude for the community’s openness throughout production.

Ronan also used her message to highlight Hoyle, describing her as “a beautiful, rare gem,” adding: “The work you’ve seen from her so far is only the beginning. Watch her soar.”

The Outrun also earned Nora Fingscheidt the Director Fiction award.

Scottish actor James McArdle won the Actor Film/Television award for his performance in Darren Thornton’s Irish comedy-drama Four Mothers. In his speech, he thanked the film’s team, joking that sharing a bus with the film’s “four octogenarians” had been “a real, real joy.”

Ewan McGregor was also honoured on the night, receiving the Outstanding Contribution Award. Presented to him by his uncle Denis Lawson, McGregor called the recognition “amazing” and described Lawson, who inspired him to pursue acting, as his “biggest inspiration.”