Latest news with #OutlawKing
The National
04-08-2025
- Entertainment
- The National
Highland talent boss urges Scots to join screen industry as extras
Iain Wilkie, owner and founder of BBB Talent Agency – which represents more than 10,500 actors, extras and stunt specialists – said it will surprise people how easy it can be to get involved in the industry and how much fun working on set can be. The veteran actor, who has featured in shows like Outlander, The Crown, Downton Abbey and Outlaw King, said one of the best things about working as an extra is the community and the positive impact it has on your mental health. Wilkie, a former chef, said he knew working as an extra was a 'bit special' after he decided to dip his toe into the industry after he returned to Scotland following a stint living in London. READ MORE: Scottish crew 'excluded from Spider Man 4 filming' 'I didn't know what to do with my life, and then all of a sudden, I'm in this environment where it's fantasy, it is pure fantasy,' he said. Wilkie added that some of the best parts of the job are that everyone enjoys having a 'laugh' while on set and that you get to 'become a child again' as everything is catered for you and you're told exactly what to do at all times. 'I'll tell anybody this, if you are suffering from any mental health problems or depression or anything like that, if you have the motivation to find to get yourself up and to go out there, that will change your life,' he said. One of the best aspects of becoming an extra is the people you get to meet as shoots are often a 'melting pot' of personalities with people coming from all backgrounds to take part, Wilkie said. He explained you could be sitting, waiting to fill in as a soldier in a fight scene, along with a judge, a surgeon, or someone who works in a supermarket, as the job's flexibility attracts people from all aspects of life. (Image: Supplied) 'When you're on set, you are stripped of your personality because you're then put into a costume, so it doesn't matter who you are or what you do,' Wilkie said. He added: 'You can have someone who's trying to get off of benefits, trying to find work next to the guy who works in Tesco, next to one of Scotland's most senior cops, all in this wonderful, wonderful melting pot of people.' The BBB agency head said there is often a misconception that people need to look like Brad Pitt or Marlon Monroe to secure supporting roles in TV and film. 'They don't want that, they just want your every man,' he explained. Wilkie added that you don't need professional photographs and that you can use your phone to upload pictures of yourself to the talent agency's app as long as they are clear and have a clear background. 'As long as you can see someone's face and their hair colour correctly, and their shape in a full-length picture, and their measurements are up to date. Job done. 'It's really that simple. What they're looking to do is find a face that fits that scene and find a costume that fits them.' He added that the beauty of the job is that you can do as much as you want or as little as you want; you just have to give the producers your availability. Wilkie founded BBB Talent Agency, originally named Beautiful Bearded Bastards, around eight years ago because he enjoyed the camaraderie on the set so much. What originally started as an unofficial coalition between extras and stunt people soon became a unified force, with Wilkie helping to lead the charge. BBB Talent Agency is renowned across the UK's TV and film industry for supplying talent for some of the biggest shows, including Hollywood blockbusters and top streaming programmes from the likes of Netflix. Extras at Wilkie's agency have been involved with some of the most memorable scenes from TV in the last decade, including the last big battle for the final season of Outlander and Game of Thrones's Battle of the Bastards, which is the longest battle scene ever filmed for TV. 'The BBBs are fantastic. My community is just unbelievable. I mean, I'm so lucky.' (Image: Supplied) Wilkie also decided to roll up his sleeves and tackle the industry's union for extras, Equity, around six years ago over a pay dispute, as he said the industry rate had not changed in 15 years. Despite being warned he could lose everything he had built, Wilkie took on the union and won an improved rate for Scotland's extras and stunt performers. Wilkie said his win against the union to help better support the industry was a catalyst for BBB Talent Agency and helped him along to the success that the Highland firm has found to date.
The Herald Scotland
16-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Herald Scotland
Outlander dress to go on display as part of film tourism campaign
Outlander is entering its eighth and final season later this year and the Trust is celebrating its global success by displaying the costume for fans. Played by Lotte Verbeek, the character Geillis is first season in season one and wore the dress made of felted wool bodice and a heavy wool weave skirt. It was deliberately designed to create a feeling she was out of place in the 18th century before it was later revealed she was a time traveller from the 1960s. From July 16, the dress will be on display within Culross Palace with its accompanying white under garment, corset and underskirt. Read More Geillis Duncan – better known as Gillie – was a real person who was accused of witchcraft in 1590. She was forced into a confession by magistrate David Set and it fuelled more witchcraft accusations in Scotland, contributing to the North Berwick witch trials with more than 60 people accused. Anna Rathband, the National Trust for Scotland's Filming Manager, said: 'We've had a great relationship with the production of 'Outlander' for more than a decade. 'Six out of its eight seasons filmed at Trust places, including Culross Palace, Falkland Palace, the Hermitage, Newhailes, and Preston Mill. 'Hundreds, if not thousands, of Outlander fans have already come from across the world to engage with the story and to learn more about the history of our country. 'We're excited to bring a piece of Outlander to Culross Palace and make Geillis' dress available for the public to see up close. Many fans of the series will recognise Culross as the fictional village of Cranesmuir in seasons one and two, and the village, Culross Palace, and the Palace's garden have featured in a variety of scenes throughout the series, so it will give them a chance to stand in the 'Outlander' world and connect with a piece of its history.' In Outlander, Geillis first appears in 1743 and befriends the main character, Claire Randall. She is eventually tried and executed for witchcraft and is revealed to be Gillian Edgars, a Jacobite who deliberately returned to Scotland before the 1745 uprising to try and change the course of history. VisitScotland's 2023 visitor survey indicated that 36% of European visitors and 37% of long-haul visitors were inspired to travel to Scotland because of film, TV and books featuring Scotland. Dozens of National Trust for Scotland locations serve as the backdrop for film and TV projects, including Outlander, Skyfall, Outlaw King and Mary Queen of Scots as well as many more. The display of the dress is included with admission to Culross Palace and Garden. The Palace is open daily, 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. until 30 September, and daily, 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. from 1-31 October.
The Herald Scotland
28-06-2025
- The Herald Scotland
Scotland's best seaside picnic spots with incredible views
While beach dining isn't for everyone, I certainly have a real fondness for it. If you do too, then this list will be just the ticket. Here, we round up five of Scotland's most scenic seaside picnic spots, all with incredible views to gaze at as you eat. Culzean Castle, Ayrshire There is a majestic stretch of towering cliffs, rocky shores and sandy bays around Culzean Castle that is perfect for picnicking and has plenty of scope for adventure. Not least when it comes to guddling in rock pools – or scouring the beach for other magical treasures. Read More: At low tide, the volcanic rock formations and lava platforms are brilliant for glimpsing pockets of marine life. Keep your eyes peeled for ghost prawns, sea urchins and starfish. Geology buffs, meanwhile, can enjoy looking for semi-precious stones, such as agate, jasper and amethyst. Tuck into a leisurely feast with vistas of Arran, Kintyre and Ailsa Craig. Afterwards, head back up into the castle grounds to grab dessert at the Aviary Ice Cream Parlour beside the Swan Pond. Seacliff, East Lothian This private and unspoilt beach, around five miles from North Berwick, offers spellbinding views of the Bass Rock and the ruins of Tantallon Castle. The tiny sandstone harbour, dating from the 1890s, is widely credited as the smallest in the UK. Popular among surfers, dog walkers and, yep, picnic lovers, Seacliff has graced the screen in a clutch of star-studded TV shows and films in recent times, including Outlaw King, Mary Queen of Scots and The Buccaneers. Car entry is controlled by a coin-operated barrier. If you fancy topping up your beach banquet with some coffee and cake, you are less than a 10-minute drive from Drift, a gorgeous cliff top cafe that operates out of converted shipping containers and a former horse trailer. Kingsbarns, Fife Fife is packed with coastal gems, from the family-friendly Burntisland and Aberdour Silver Sands to low-key beauties such as Leven Beach, which is believed to have inspired Jack Vettriano's famed painting The Singing Butler. Leven beach (Image: Alamy Stock Photo) There are the unmistakable golden panoramas of St Andrews West Sands, as captured on celluloid in the 1981 film Chariots of Fire, and the classic East Neuk charm of Elie, Crail Roome Bay, Lower Largo and Kingsbarns. The latter beach, also known as Cambo Sands, has something for everyone, proffering soul-salving solitude and sheltered dunes, with ample opportunities for wildlife spotting, fossil hunting and rockpooling. In addition to being heavenly for hosting a picnic, Kingsbarns is a great place to tap into the growing outdoorsy wellness trend for 'wild saunas', aka 'hot boxes'. Wild Seaside Sauna has a location here – as well as at St Andrews West Sands and Elie – if you fancy giving it a whirl. Balmedie Country Park, Aberdeenshire This corner of north-east Scotland has the best of both worlds, with a beach and sand dunes, alongside heathland and wooded areas – all connected by a network of boardwalks and paths. These include the mile-long (1.7km) Ice House Route, which gives a window into a bygone era when fish caught along the coast would be stored in a series of underground, stone-vaulted structures deep within the dunes – an early form of refrigeration. Read More: If you hanker after a post-picnic ice cream, the Sand Bothy kiosk is open on weekends. Another excellent facility is Balmedie Beach Wheelchairs, a free, volunteer-run service, which is staffed on Sundays from noon until 3pm and bookable in advance at other times. Westport Beach, Kintyre, Argyll Picking a picnic beach on the Kintyre peninsula is no easy task, simply because you are spoiled for choice. Westport Beach, with its six miles of golden sand, rarely feels overcrowded. It is set against a backdrop of the mighty Machrihanish Dunes which, the largest of their kind in mainland Argyll, are designated as a Site of Scientific Interest (SSSI). Don't be surprised if you see folk with binoculars and fancy cameras: the area is renowned for myriad bird species – Leach's petrel, Balearic shearwater, grey phalarope and Sabine's gull – with Machrihanish Seabird and Wildlife Observatory only a short jaunt down the coast. Susan Swarbrick is a columnist and freelance writer who loves history and the outdoors. Follow her on X @SusanSwarbrick and Bluesky @
Daily Record
18-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
City crowned Scotland's best filming location and it's not Glasgow or Edinburgh
Bonnie Scotland has served as a backdrop for major productions Scotland's cinematic scenery has long captured the attention of filmmakers, but it's not just the big names like Glasgow or Edinburgh that are drawing production crews. Stirling has now been named among the UK's most popular filming locations, thanks to a new study by TV and entertainment experts OLBG. The research looked at key markers such as IMDb and Rotten Tomatoes scores for shows filmed in each location, tourism interest based on online searches, and average accommodation costs to determine the top TV show capitals across the country. Stirling impressed with an exceptional average IMDb score of 9.2, a Rotten Tomatoes critic score of 89 percent, and an audience score of 85 percent. It has seen a 224.4 percent jump in annual search interest, totalling more than 1.6 million location searches per year. The average cost of a three-star hotel in the area sits at £82 per night. Altogether, the city earned a strong TV show tourism score of 8.58 out of 10. Among the most iconic productions filmed in and around Stirling are Braveheart, Outlaw King, Monty Python and the Holy Grail, Mary Queen of Scots, and Elizabeth: The Golden Age. Stirling's dramatic backdrops and historic landmarks have also featured in hit series such as Game of Thrones, Outlander, Good Omens, Cold Water, and recent releases like Lockerbie and Mary & George. The findings placed Stirling firmly in the spotlight, showing just how much its film credentials have grown in recent years. The city's rich history, impressive architecture, and sweeping landscapes have made it an increasingly attractive choice for both period dramas and fantasy epics. Rank Location Average IMDb Score Average Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score Average Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score Annual Location Searches Percentage Change in Annual Location Searches Average Cost of 3 3-Star Hotel TV Show Tourism Score (/10) 1 Dudley 8.7 93 94 1,495,000 295.9% £93.00 9.42 2 Dunstable 8.3 98 88 850,500 169.7% £66.00 8.78 3 Ellesmere Port 8.7 93 94 717,500 149.2% £68.00 8.75 4 Hayes 8.8 90 85 1,056,000 254.7% £72.00 8.70 5 Stirling 9.2 89 85 1,626,000 224.4% £82.00 8.58 6 Northwich 8.7 93 94 834,000 163.5% £89.00 8.53 7 Newbury 8.7 84 94 1,470,000 176.0% £85.00 8.27 8 Seaham 8.5 91 95 528,800 142.9% £88.00 8.24 8 Leeds 7.9 93 88 7,169,000 138.9% £85.00 8.24 10 Bradford 7.9 93 88 2,827,000 127.6% £62.00 8.21 While Stirling made a strong showing, Dudley in the West Midlands was crowned the UK's top TV show location overall, earning a TV tourism score of 9.42 out of 10. It gained acclaim for productions like Dancing on the Edge and Peaky Blinders, with the second-highest Rotten Tomatoes audience rating (94 percent) for shows filmed in the area. London, unsurprisingly, topped the list for the sheer volume of TV productions, boasting over 1,500 shows filmed there. Other top contenders included Manchester, Hertfordshire, and West Yorkshire. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Meanwhile, the BBC comedy Ghosts was named the most popular show in the study, earning a near-perfect TV tourism score of 9.41 thanks to its critical and audience acclaim (96 and 92 percent respectively on Rotten Tomatoes). And for fans planning a filming location-inspired getaway, Bradford came out as the best value option. The West Yorkshire city, featured in shows like Downton Abbey, offers an average three-star hotel stay for just £62 a night, the lowest in the top-ranked locations.
The Courier
09-06-2025
- Business
- The Courier
Fife composer on building businesses to fuel his musical ambitions
Newburgh composer and entrepreneur Matthew Rooke has been in the creative arts for more than 40 years. He has worked on various international and national theatre productions and was an orchestrator for big budget Netflix film Outlaw King. He founded Matthew Rooke Music & Generals Yard in 1997 to promote his music and theatre work. Since then he has founded and contributed to several companies and start-ups to sustain his creative pursuits. He was the first music fellow for Perth Concert Hall in 2010 and has been an honorary professor of music and theatre at St Andrews University since 2017. Matthew answered our questions on his biggest struggles, achievements and more. The arts world is driven by passion but to sustain a career in the creative industries You have to become an entrepreneur and administrator to survive. My early career advice is to work on as many projects as possible, no matter how lowly they might seem. That is how people get to know you. You never really know what is coming next and so much comes down to chance. As a composer and orchestrator my work has been performed by leading orchestras here and in the US. I've worked on major Hollywood films such as Outlaw King and When Fish Begin To Crawl. My parents were truly supportive and encouraged me to do things and go to places that they wouldn't have dreamed of for themselves. There have been a number of inspirational and supportive people who have guided me. Self-help is crucial. I've always run other businesses alongside my musical career to provide financial stability. The very best advice I received was from FSB when I was running a million-pound turnover theatre business. A specialist tax adviser helped me make the case for altering the VAT structure that I had inherited, resulting in reclaiming almost 100% of the VAT that we incurred instead of only 50%. Back in 2000 I set up a company which was going to record guided tours for heritage sites for mobile phones. We were told that the files would be too big to download and so we had to give up. Meanwhile there was a company which was using the same model as we proposed but for video. That company was Netflix. The moral is don't automatically assume someone else knows your business better than you do just because you are starting out. I've built a succession of successful start-up businesses that have enabled me to keep working in the arts and leisure sector for over 40 years and raise a family. You have to shop around for the very best deals possible and drive out unnecessary costs, while keeping a focus on quality. I want to develop high quality holiday provision especially for people and families where there are people with physical disabilities. The offer is still too limited and there is unmet demand from people. The government is making it very difficult for holiday lets and the business which benefit from it. They have singled out this sector for a more onerous tax regime. A level playing field will help spur further investment and growth.
