A parliamentary motion that has the backing of Conservative, Labour and SNP MSPs has been lodged in the Scottish Parliament by Mid-Scotland & Fife Conservative MSP Murdo Fraser to highlight and celebrate the achievements of the Friends of Birks Cinema in reaching their fundraising target of £1.8million to restore the Birks cinema in Aberfeldy. The parliamentary motion reads: “That the Parliament congratulates Friends of Birks Cinema in Aberfeldy and everyone who is involved with the campaign to see the cinema's restoration; notes that the Friends of Birks Cinema has now raised the £1.8 million that was needed to start the project, including £320,075 from the Town Centre Regeneration Fund; welcomes the campaign’s vision of transforming “the Birks” into a state-of-the-art community-run cinema and café bar that will be able to put on the latest movies, including those in 3D, have the capacity to allow live broadcast links and be a venue for live performances; believes that having its own cinema will be a tremendous asset for Aberfeldy and all of Highland Perthshire, and commends the hard work, dedication and passion of local residents who have made this possible.” Murdo Fraser said: “I would like to congratulate everyone involved with the campaign to see the Birks cinema restored to its former glory in Aberfeldy. This parliamentary motion in the Scottish Parliament will go some way to highlight the great work put in by the Friends of the Birks Cinema to achieve this fundraising milestone. “Aberfeldy is on its way to having its own cinema again and this is fantastic news and only possible through the hard work of local residents who have raised substantial sums of money for this project. “Friends of Birks Cinema has now raised the £1.8m needed to start the project, with the Big Lottery Fund providing a grant of £539,950. A number of local businesses and organisations have donated towards the fund and helped and I commend all the effort put in by those involved, which will benefit the whole community.”