Clanlands

by Sam Heughan

  Before the COVID-19 pandemic, I was exhausted and yet I couldn’t stop. At the beginning of the year, despite finishing filming, I had a three-month illness, nothing more than a bad chest infection (COVID?) and yet couldn’t or wouldn’t find the time to stop. I’ve been forced to slow down a little. Graham has taught me it’s okay to sit in fourth gear (if you can find it) and enjoy the scenery. The journey up the mountain by chairlift can be equally rewarding as the one hurtling down it.

  GRAHAM

  Actually even third gear is fine. Sometimes even parked up in a layby for a nap. I’ve always prided myself on my energy and ambition, and eagerness to take on new challenges, but Sam takes it to a new level. I’m hugely admiring of his entrepreneurship (even if I mercilessly take the pish). It really is inspiring and does him enormous credit. He’s also a champion of Scotland, and of its crafts and textiles, and he definitely puts his money where his mouth is. I knew from the moment I met Sam in that sauna-like audition in Soho that this was a guy I would get on with.

  Something else I admire Sam for is his sense of decency and his privacy. In an age where people are too willing to splurge every iota of their lives for ‘all the world to see’, Sam has a healthy sense of holding back on that. He is admirably protective of his family, which speaks of a deep love and respect.

  SAM

  During lockdown I’ve had the time to dedicate myself to the finer pursuits of life, as enjoyed by Lady McTavish – writing, sleeping and drinking fine wine. And I have also been talking to friends and family far more, yet another benefit of this strange situation. I’ve learnt that writing is something I enjoy, although a great deal of practice is needed and it must be done regularly to retain the skill. I have great respect and admiration for our wonderful co-writer Charlotte, who can not only draw on multiple narratives and sources but also juggle being a mother and even manages to deal with two demanding actors who fancy themselves as prolific novelists.

  GRAHAM

  I am definitely familiar with the candle burning at both ends and I was travelling way too much before the virus situation. It has forced me to rediscover simple joys and connections. Spending more time with my children, and of course, writing this book. Sam’s right, I honestly don’t know how we would have managed if we hadn’t had to stay at home. We were too embedded in a lifestyle that meant we were always moving. Sometimes it really is good just to stand still.

  I’m sure this restless energy comes, for both of us, from a deep understanding that as an actor you have to make your own opportunities. I have always relied upon myself (sometimes too much), and this experience with Sam has made me enjoy the pleasure of cooperation and shared triumphs again.

  One thing is for sure though, embarking on the Clanlands journey together has really felt at times as though we have been standing on one side of the standing stones in Outlander and stepped through into the world of our ancestry. Sam and I dived in, blissfully unaware of what this would involve, which, in my experience, is the best way to have an adventure. And this was definitely an adventure; one that I will never ever forget.

  Would I do it again? We’ve barely scratched the surface. The clans have many more stories to tell and the history of this wonderful bruised land is teeming with characters, anecdotes, tragedies, romance, and triumphs.

  So bring it on! But next time, I’ll drive.

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  Men in Kilts – The TV Show

  SAM

  After working on an edit of Clanlands we pitched the show to Sony and Starz, the day after the Los Angeles red carpet premiere of Outlander, Season Five, held at the Hollywood Palladium on 13th February 2020.

  I threw myself into an Uber, just moments away from the Starz offices, scrabbling on my phone, frantically trying to get the photos of Graham and me into the pitch ‘deck’ for our formal presentation. I had lost sight of Graham the night before on the red carpet, ahead of the celebrations. I recall him wearing a snazzy suit and well-manicured beard. I was feeling elated; it felt like a strong season with many surprises, Graham’s return (as another character with long dark hair!) being one of them, and he played along to the assembled press. We had to pretend he was just there for support but managed to mention the up-and-coming Clanlands show. We were in talks at this point with Sony and Starz and I hoped the fans would be thrilled to hear we were potentially going to be filling the Droughtlander with our buddy road trip.

  That night at the after-party in a local restaurant and bar, I saw Graham and Duncan upstairs, standing next to a bemused waitress as they emptied her tray of Outlander-themed cocktails. I was desperate to get involved in the action and intrigued to hear how Duncan had fared on his first trip to the City of Angels. Two nights before, as an unofficial premiere party warm-up, we had met in his hotel bungalow and quickly emptied the minibar. I introduced him to some expensive tequila, which no doubt stung as he settled the final bill the day after. Each time I squeezed my way through the crowd towards the two bearded hellraisers, I would be stopped by a journalist or friendly fan. As the night wore on, the combination of jet lag, free liquor and selfie requests took their toll. I was exhausted and ready to crash, plus we had an important meeting the next morning.

  Walking into the freshly painted Starz offices, I spied the surprisingly chipper Lady McTavish standing in reception. The receptionist looked flustered and asked for his ID once again. ‘If you could just fill in your details on the iPad,’ she asked. Graham placed his now tepid latte on the desk and leaned forward to stare her straight in the eye. ‘I’m in the show and no, I don’t want to give you my email address.’

  GRAHAM

  Complete and utter fabrication! The email bit is, however, probably true. I have never understood why people give out their email addresses at the drop of a hat. I once bought toothpaste and was asked if I’d like to put my email address in their database. ‘Why would I do that?’ I asked, genuinely bemused.

  ‘Some people like to hear from us about offers, or get-togethers,’ came the response.

  ‘Do you honestly mean there are people who buy toothpaste and then give their email address in the hope of being invited to a gathering of other toothpaste buyers who are complete strangers?’

  ‘Yes,’ says the robot masquerading as a human being.

  ‘I’ll pass, thanks.’ But I would never tell someone I was ‘in the show’. I suspect this is a mantra that is repeated inside Sam’s own head, and sometimes he thinks it’s actually someone else speaking.

  I did, however, notice that Sam was trying to flog his whisky at reception. It appears he carries around a small handcart containing bottles, complete with his own credit card machine . . .

  SAM

  ‘Graham!’ I called, intervening in what could potentially be a tricky situation. I could tell the bearded technophobe was about to tell the receptionist exactly what he thought of their online procedure. ‘I’ve got it, let me fill these in,’ I said, hurriedly completing the check-in process for both of us. As I filled in my email for us both, the large screen behind the reception jumped into action, displaying the latest trailer for Outlander, and I couldn’t help but smile as an aged Jamie Fraser glared back at me, from the mountains of North Carolina. In a quick exchange, Graham and I finalised the talking points and then were led upstairs to conduct our meeting.

  As we walked into the third-floor offices, the far wall was covered in pictures from various Starz shows. I had now got to know many of the actors on other productions and it was nice to see our extended family up there. ‘Wait, how many pictures are there of me?’ Graham paused. I looked again. He was right, there were at least four pictures of him (one with his top off and strategically placed mud contouring his abs). ‘Hmmm, not so many of you. Oh dear,’ he whispered gleefully. [Graham: Obviously I had called ahead and insisted that all pictures of the grinning ginger were removed.]

  I nudged him into the meeting room and we took our seats at the head of the table. I was relieved to see the deck had been up
loaded into a projector, my last-minute Uber construction had worked and it now presented a large photo, both of us sitting tweed-clad and proud on our bicycles, in front of Cawdor Castle. Jeff Hirsch (the new head of Starz) strode into the room with the wonderful Karen Bailey, big smiles and no sign of a post-premiere hangover. The meeting commenced and we eagerly relayed our pitch. Graham described the journey, complete with hand gestures and dramatic sound effects. Dare I say it but we worked in great unity, symbiosis even. All that time spent in the RV in close proximity, the whisky shared and the mountains climbed, had strengthened our bond. We knew how each other worked, finishing each other’s sentences and setting up jokes for the other to deliver the punchlines. Either that or we were still drunk.

  We were a team, a double act, not quite father and son, more Laurel and Hardy than Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. We rounded up the concept of what we thought the show could be and leaned back in unison against the plush swivel chairs. Expecting a tough negotiation and hard sell, out of the corner of my eye I caught Graham taking a breath and I crossed my fingers. We had spent a great deal of time and commitment on this project; if they didn’t like it, our journey would likely end here. No more road trips, no more adventures in the Fearsome Fiat Camper.

  Silence.

  Karen nods and looks to the head honcho Jeff, who paused for what felt like an eternity.

  ‘We’ll take it,’ he said, breaking his strong poker face.

  ‘What, really?’ I blustered. Graham almost fell back in his chair.

  Karen looked surprised and followed up, ‘Yes, we will. We’ve never done this in the room before, agreed to take something outright, but we really want it.’

  GRAHAM

  In the moments after Jeff made his pronouncement I suddenly felt very proud of the two of us, Sam and me. We’d taken a semi-drunken conversational idea over the phone and actually gone out and made it, and now sold it to a major TV network. It was very frustrating that we couldn’t immediately go and get slaughtered in the nearest bar to celebrate.

  SAM

  Graham and I were elated, maybe more so than when we marched across Culloden battlefield in the rain with an accompanying pipe band. We had done it. Our very own TV show! We shook hands and agreed to start the process of creating the new Clanlands show, soon to be named Men in Kilts. As we hurried out of the building into the LA sunshine, now sporting our newly appointed executive producer titles, we made our way to Graham’s favourite coffee shop for a celebratory latte, saving the whisky for later.

  Executive Producer Graham McTavish orders at the counter whilst chatting away to the owner and another customer excitedly.

  Soon the waitress follows him over to our table with several trays of milky caffeine, pastries, muffins and croissants, his grey beard quivering in anticipation.

  Graham: Surely we can add this to the budget?

  Some things never change.

  ‘Lord, ye gave me a rare friend,

  and God! I love the old sod well.’

  Sam Heughan on behalf of Diana Gabaldon,

  Dragonfly in Amber

  Acknowledgements

  Sam

  Chrissie – who gave me every opportunity, an idyllic childhood and ensured Scotland was my home.

  To my wonderful agent Ruth who has guided me through a fun, roller-coaster career, Thea and Zoe at UA plus my fantastic American team at UTA: Theresa, Mike and Chris.

  Alex, my patient/inspired business partner and all at Great Glen Company/MPC who work so hard to inspire our Peakers (thank you Peakers!) and support our brilliant charity partners.

  Diana Gabaldon for creating the character that has changed my life, adding her words to this book, and for being a good friend.

  Viewpoint, Hodder – Briony and our passionate, dedicated, hardworking co-writer Charlie who has the same sense of humour as us!

  My Outlander crew, co-stars and ginger friends – what a family, love you all! Caitriona, I owe you.

  The MIK/Clanlands crew, our fantastic guests, Sony (cheers Chris!) and Starz (Karen, for your guidance and great cooking!) for supporting us on this journey.

  And of course, my bearded – at times, reliably grumpy – travel companion McTavish.

  Sláinte

  Graham

  In writing this book a twelve-year-old boy has seen his dream come true. I have too many people to thank, and I’m sure I will forget to include some of them. To those people I beg forgiveness.

  For my parents, and family. My wonderful kids and my wonderful love, Garance Doré. For Des Margetson for insisting I be in a school play, for Nigel Alexander for making my university life so rich in experience. For my late friend, Martin Graham-Scott who always believed in me, I wish you were here mate. For Alistair MacLean and Willard Price for helping me fall in love with reading. And for my teacher Mrs Pamela Grew who always encouraged me

  For Richard Baron for directing me in some of the best theatre experiences of my life.

  For Andrew Hinds for giving me a chance to fly solo on stage, and for Nick Pace for travelling around the world with our play about Vincent and Theo Van Gogh.

  To Duncan LaCroix, Paul Kavanagh, Claire Edwards, Emma and Andy Quinn, Jason Connery, Nolan North, TJ Ramini, Aaron Rabin, Brian Benben, Chris Egan, Mark Hayford, Tessa Souter, Garth Ennis, Dougy Rao, Michael Glenn Murphy, Brian Blessed, Gwen Isaac, Stuart Robertson, and far too many others for being there and for laughing at my jokes. And to my trainers Nicky Holender and Tee Richards who have stopped me from falling apart physically.

  For, among many others, Jack Shepherd, David Winning, Robin Hardy, Sylvester Stallone, Peter Jackson, Richard Wilson, the marvellous, late, Terry Jones, and Brian Cox for taking a chance on me.

  And, of course, to the wonderful Charlotte Reather, and our stellar editor, Briony Gowlett, Zoe Ross at United Agents, and Cheri Barner my manager for being the best team anyone could hope for in making this book possible. I sincerely thank each one.

  For all the above, truly, this has been written thanks to your love, guidance, patience and humour.

  And finally, for Sam Heughan for calling me that day, for quite simply being the best companion on this journey (if not always the best driver) and for dragging this grumpy bloke out of his comfort zone. Here’s to the next time.

  Picture Acknowledgments

  The authors and publishers would like to thank the following copyright-holders for permission to reproduce images in this book:

  Northcote Theatre; Alamy/Collection Christophel; Bridgeman images/ Everett Collection; Getty Images/ David M. Benett / Contributor; Getty Images/ Mark Sagliocco / Contributor; AMCNetworks.com; Getty Images/ Jesse Grant / Stringer; Royal Lyceum Theatre, Edinburgh; Traverse Theatre/Richard Campbell; Photostage/Donald Cooper; Alamy/dpa/Britta Pedersen; Alamy/Allstar Picture Library Ltd/ Sony Pictures Television; Alamy/Lionsgate/courtesy Everett Collection/Ron Harvey; PA Archive/PAImages/ Lucy Christie; Shutterstock/Jeff Holmes; PA Archive/PAImages/ Andrew Milligan; Shutterstock/Matt Baron; Shutterstock/Kristina Bumphrey/StarPix; Shutterstock/Starz/Koba; Getty Images/Jean Baptiste Lacroix / Stringer; Shutterstock/Eric Charbonneau; Shutterstock/Sony/Columbia/Kobal

  Men In Kilts photography by Peter Sandground. Men In Kilts © 2020 Sony Pictures Television Inc. All rights reserved. Artwork © Starz Entertainment, LLC. Starz and related service marks are the property of Starz Entertainment, LLC.

  All other images are care of the authors’ personal collections.

  The authors and publishers have made all reasonable efforts to contact copyright-holders for permission and apologise for any omissions or errors in the form of credits given. Corrections may be made to future printings.

  Author bios

  Sam Heughan is an award-winning actor and philanthropist, best known for his starring role as Jamie Fraser in the hit TV show Outlander. From his early days at the Royal Court Theatre to his most recent role in the hit action film Bloodshot, Sam has enjoyed a career in theatre, television and film spanning almost tw
o decades. With his growing success and fame, Sam has also lent his voice and platform to raise funds and awareness for many notable charities, including Marie Curie UK and Blood Cancer UK. In recent years he has raised over $5 million for blood cancer research, hospice care and testicular cancer awareness education. Due to his outstanding contribution to charitable endeavours and artistic success he was bestowed by the University of Glasgow and the University of Stirling with an honorary doctorate in 2019.

  Graham McTavish has been acting for over 35 years in theatre, film and television. On film and TV he is best known for his roles as Dougal MacKenzie in Outlander, the fierce Dwarf Dwalin in The Hobbit trilogy, and AMC’s cult show Preacher as the Saint of Killers. He has performed in theatre all over the world from the Royal Court Theatre in London to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. He is delighted that the dream of his 12-year-old self to be a published author has finally come true!

  Charlotte Reather is a Sunday Times No.1 bestselling co-writer, Charlotte is a leading country lifestyle journalist, humorous columnist, comedy writer and mother of two fabulous, feisty daughters.

  charlottereather.com / @charlottereather

  We hope you enjoyed our boys’ adventures in Clanlands.

  For this and even more of their Scottish odyssey,

  join them for their new original series only on STARZ.

  MEN IN KILTS: A ROADTRIP

  WITH SAM AND GRAHAM.

  Don’t forget your whisky of choice!

  Table of Contents

  Title Page