The Good Year

February was an interesting month. I was unsuccessful for 'Macbeth' one minute and the next, they wanted me! Some sort of mix-up they said. So off I went to Portree and spent 3 long days, made up to look as if I'd just returned from a fierce battle, trudging along remote paths and through bogs, heavily laden with sodden woolen clothing and a sack full of wood. But it was worth it! On the last day of filming as we came out of wardrobe, we were surprised to see boxes of whiskey and beer stacked against the wall. The AD said it was for us from Michael Fassbender, by way of showing his appreciation for what we endured without complaint to get the scenes shot.

Shortly after, Andrew Doig began filming 'The Loch Ness Secret Committee' and I played the part of Ian, a journalist. (It may be in with a chance for the Raindance Film Festival if it gets enough votes) A short while later, after failing an audition for 'Pack Of Lies' with the Florians, I was asked to work as a support artist(extra)with the Scottish Ballet during the Inverness leg on their extensive tour of Romeo & Juliet. What an experience!!! And I made a couple of new FB friends!

Then, the big news! My agent, Alana, asked if I could be available for two week's work down in Perthshire for 'Outlander'. Well, I was packed before I put the phone down! Actually, it is a longer process than that and there's a fair bit of nervous expectation. After all, once your CV and pictures have been submitted, it's down to the production team as to whether you're suitable....but in this instance, I WAS!"!! Dressed in period clothing (again) and sporting a wig, I found myself on set, filming the first of the series of adventure novels we had begun reading back in the 90s. I found out we were doing Ep 11/16 and we had Bill Paterson and Tim McInnerny on set with us! Again, it was long days and often wet, yet VERY hot on set in the old church at Tibermore. Day 2, As I had been made up as a chieftain, I was asked to stand at the front of the scene and yell abuse at someone on trial. A few days later, I was asked to walk through the town square in Culross, repeatedly shouting a curse to the accused in the Gaelic (after the AD told me what they wanted, the Gaelic coach came over and spent time with me).Finally, in some studio set scenes In Cumbernauld, I was asked (and again coached) to deliver a hearty greeting in gaelic in a banquet scene.

After completing scenes from 'Death And The Maiden' with Eran KB at Drama Lab, then later 'Death Of A Salesman' with Allan MacFadyen, I was asked by local filmmaker Tristan Aitchinson to work on a student film he was directing, called 'Happy Birds'. Following on yet again, I was cast as Mr Marten in the melodrama 'Maria Marten And The Murder In The Red Barn', to be performed by Drama Lab at Eden Court this December!