My magical time
Perthshire man rubs shoulders with stars after being picked as film extra
The actors filming in Mugdock Park near Glasgow John Anderson from Errol Being on the set of a blockbuster film is a dream many people have – and one Perthshire man has made this dream a reality.
John Anderson (24), from Errol, will feature as an extra in the new Netflix film The Outlaw King, making appearances as a soldier and a peasant.
The film is directed by David Mackenzie, who is also from Perthshire, and features big-screen actors Chris Pine, Aaron Taylor Johnson and Florence Pugh.
Taking time off from his day job at Glendoick Garden Centre, John was keen to let his acting side shine through by taking part in the film, which follows the story of King Robert the Bruce trying to regain control of Scotland from English rule.
The former Perth High School pupil said: “Last year there was a post on Facebook looking for long-haired, bearded extras for a Scottish film – we all knew it was about Robert the Bruce with David Mackenzie and Chris Pine.
“This film was David’s baby, he has wanted to do The Outlaw King for a while.
“I always liked to do acting at school, but didn’t really get into theatre – normal life got in the way and I never thought any more about it.
“Academically at school I couldn’t do drama, so this let me scratch that itch.
“When I was wee I always wanted to be like James Bond, that is what all the extras were there for.”
After going for casting in Glasgow, he found out he had the part of a battlefield extra in August last year.
He underwent rigorous combat training with Clan Ranald in Stirling in order to master the moves needed on set.
John said: “We learned everything from Clan Ranald and they supplied