SHIFTING Scots classic film tale Whisky Galore to the theatre stage, you would imagine, would be not be an easy task.

As easy perhaps as convincing the population of the Highlands to give up the cratur.

But that's exactly what's happening at Oran Mor this week when Compton Mackenzie's wondrous tale of connivery is played out.

Both the film and the novel were based on the story of the 1941 shipwreck of the SS Politician, near the island of Eriskay, which saw thirsty islanders, deprived of drink during wartime, help themselves to the cargo.

The story follows their adventures to keep their bounty secret from the authorities.

However, the film feature a cast of 24, (including Glasgow-born legend Gordon Jackson), the Highlands were shown in all their glory, as was the SS Politician.

So how can this fabulous period adventure in hokum be transferred to a tiny basement stage? And feature a cast of five?

"Well, the story is transferred to a modern-day setting on the imaginary island of Todday," says actor Iain Macrae, who appears in several roles.

"The story is told in the pub, which is called the SS Cabinet Minster. And the inhabitants of the bar take turns to tell the story of what happened to the ship and its contents."

Given the place the film has in hearts and minds, is there a danger of comparison?

"I don't think so," says Iain. "The play is very different from the film. It's a clever piece of stagework, although like the film it has a gentleness about it."

But how do you create the drama? The comedy in the film came from the dramatic content resulting from the efforts the islanders made to conceal their golden treasure and avoid capture by HM Revenue.

"That's true, but we also get the drama from the different relationships in the bar, and we have a re-enactment of the events of the whisky being taken.

"There was also a love story in the film, and we have a love story in the play as well."

Iain, who grew up in Harris-born adds; " The play utilises the real strength of Gaelic storytelling, and that works really well.

"And of course we still get to expose the pomposity and self-importance of some of the characters who seek to stick to the letter of the law."

The play uses music to reflect the changing sensibilities over the years.

"We have music to reflect the story of the original period, which is evocative and will help the audiences get a picture."

Just to complicate matters slightly, the production, backed by the National Theatre of Scotland, is being performed in Gaelic.

"We'll be using surtitles so that non-Gaelic speakers can follow the story," says Iain. "They won't have any problems going on the journey."

Iain Macrae's personal journey into acting is an interesting one.

Thirty two years ago this week he was still a PE teacher, and camping in Oban at Easter.

But he reveals he had an epiphany while sitting in his pup tent looking out at the snow fall.

"I had this moment where I decided to leave my teaching job in Plockton," he recalls.

"I had done am-dram before, but I think my overriding feeling was I wanted to do something else with my life.

"I didn't want to end up and embittered teacher; I felt it was a young man's game and in my late twenties I wasn't getting any younger."

So he decided to run away and become an actor?

" I suppose I'd already been bitten by the acting bug," he says, smiling. "I think it came about when I played one of Macbeth's Witches when I was at school.

"I was a good bad witch."

Did teaching experience help in acting? You have to deliver a performance of sorts?

"Yes, I suppose that is the case. It is a form of role play. But it wasn't a role I wanted to play for the rest of my life.

"I'd had too many moments when I felt it was tough going, so I felt I'd try acting before it was too late."

Iain's acting career has been 'hugely rewarding, if not financially.'

He's flitted neatly from theatre with the likes of Calum's Road to radio to television, appearing on Gaelic soap Machair and in BBC Scotland's River City as Mr Crowley.

Has it been helpful being a Gaelic speaker? "It's been very handy," he says, grinning, "although it has created a bit of jealousy from other actors.

"But that's the way of it. And thankfully, work for Gaelic speakers has really increased in recent years.

"I'm not complaining of course. And productions such as Whisky Galore encourage young people to enter the business."

*Whisky Galore also features MJ Deans, Julie Hale, Roseanne Lynch, and Calum MacDonald.