Film-makers are determined to complete the low-budget production by next summer, which will mark the 60th anniversary of Cairnbulg man James Duthie’s epic journey.

Armed with only a few jumpers, a simple tent and £12 in cash, the factory worker – who was deaf and could not speak – cycled from his home on the Aberdeenshire coast through Scandinavia and into the frozen north.

Mr Duthie died in a road accident in the mid-1960s.

Award-winning Edinburgh-based film-maker Matt Hulse has been working on bringing the story to the big screen since 2007.

His script for Dummy Jim – the nickname by which Mr Duthie was affectionally known – is based on the journal that the cyclist kept during his trip and which he went on to sell door-to-door around Fraserburgh.

Mr Hulse said enough money had been raised to begin shooting the first scenes. The crew is planning to film for three days in a “mountainous region”, although the exact location is being kept a secret.

Money was raised through donations, as well as sales of Dummy Jim badges, postcards and the film’s soundtrack by The One Ensemble and Sarah Kenchington.

Fundraising will continue with an ambitious cycle.

Next month, Glasgow-based musicians Olly Rundell and Alex South will retrace key stretches of Mr Duthie’s original route, from Gothenburg on the west coast of Sweden and crossing into the Arctic Circle, just north of Overtornea on the Swedish-Finnish border. They will then pedal on to the North Cape, the northernmost point of mainland Europe.

Mr Hulse said: “The Arctic Cycle 2010 project represents our final big fundraising push.

“We are aiming to raise £5,000.”

He said the money would be equally split between the film and the National Deaf Children’s Society, which will put the cash towards drama workshops.

Specially made tea towels are also being sold to finance the movie. Mr Hulse said: “I recently learned that Mr Duthie sold his wee book door-to-door around the Broch to raise money for future trips.

“Our approach to funding our film is similar.”

Sam Dore, who recently appeared in BBC2’s drama Switch, has been confirmed for the title role.

The film-makers are also trying to achieve a tiny carbon footprint by using clockwork cameras and cycle-powered generators where possible.

For more details on the film, visit Dummy Jim’s website and, to help fund next month’s cycle challenge, go to ollyandalex.com.

(Jamie Buchan 2010)

James Duthie’s account of his epic, 3,000-mile adventure will be made accessible for the first time in years in a new film of his story.

The factory worker, who was deaf and could not speak, set off on his global quest armed only with a blanket, a few jumpers and his diary.

Now his words will feature on a new animated interactive website, Dummy Jim, which will be launched at a ceremony in one of Glasgow’s trendiest nightspots.

The event is aimed at promoting and raising funds for the new film, which will be partly shot in the north-east.

Mr Duthie, known affectionately to friends as Dummy Jim, completed his journey in 1951. His tale is being brought to the big screen by award-winning film-maker Matt Hulse.

His script is based on the journal Mr Duthie kept during his trip.

The diary was eventually published but has not been available for several years.

A spokesman for the film-makers said: “The website offers an opportunity to explore Duthie’s world in advance of the film’s making. Users can travel on a pedal-powered journey, experiencing its highs and lows and learn a little sign language.”

The launch party will feature a live set from the film’s composer, Daniel Padden, and his band, The One Ensemble. The party, in the city’s CCA venue, also offers the chance to meet the film’s stars, including deaf actor Sam Dore who plays Jim.

(This report originally featured in The Press and Journal and was written by Jamie Buchan).