The grounds should have been filled with film fans but instead, Tullibole Castle hosted only the skeletons of three giant outdoor cinemas.
The estate, near Crook of Devon, was to have become home to Scotland’s first major outdoor film festival, with hundreds of tickets sold for the three-day event.
However, the festival had to be cancelled at the 11th hour due to the ill health of one of its organisers.
The metal structures were entered only by the falling rain as Rhoderick Moncrieff surveyed his empty grounds.
It remains to be seen whether the Just About Movies concept can be resurrected in 2015 or if so much hard work and enthusiasm eventually comes to nought.
No matter the outcome, the festival’s would-be host so passionate about the idea from the outset has no intention of giving up on his part in the dream.
Lord Moncrieff told The Courier he had been left “very disappointed” by the cancellation but had become convinced Tullibole Castle could be an “inspirational” venue for events and festivals.
“We are holding the same dates for 2015 as it would be great if the team could return and stage JAM in 2015,” he said.
“It would be great if we could work with them again and make the event a reality, as I am convinced the idea of an outdoor film festival at which you can camp is far too good to let go.”
Ticket holders who have been promised a full refund by organisers have taken to social networking to express their sadness the event could not go ahead.
They also expressed hopes the event would now launch next year but even if is not possible, Lord Moncrieff is thinking ahead.
“It takes someone like the JAM organisers to take a chance for anything new and exciting to happen but sadly, it doesn’t always work out,” he said.
“The experience has, however, made me keen to develop Tullibole Castle as an inspirational venue for events and festivals.
“Having played a role in the preparations for this event I’ve even been liaising with Hollywood I’d love to play an even bigger part in developing a new event.
“It could perhaps be a single genre festival or a satellite festival for a bigger town or city event, such as the Glasgow Film Festival, which was heavily involved and was to have curated a cinema screen, or a short film festival. It needn’t even be film, as we could do anything related to the arts.
“The castle and its grounds provide generous space for multiple stages or performances, as well as camping for up to 1,000 people and I hope to work with people to make it happen.”