CATCH US IF YOU CLAN
Outlander stars on their dram fine campervan adventure in Scotland
Heather Greenaway
Sam Heughan and Graham McTavish are known for their TV rivalry as swashbuckling hero Jamie Fraser and bloodthirsty warlord Dougal Mackenzie in Outlander.
But off-screen the two actors are the best of friends and both say they would trust the other with their life – ironic seeing as in the hit show Jamie murders his uncle Dougal with a knife to the heart.
The unlikely pals’ bromance is revealed in their new book about the whisky-fuelled yomp they took round Scotland in a campervan while filming upcoming TV series Men In Kilts.
With near-death experiences – which Graham blames on Sam’s daredevil nature – and more than a few drunken nights, their road trip turned into the adventure of a lifetime and cemented their friendship.
Speaking for the first time about their book Clanlands, which is out tomorrow, the rugged duo admit they could not have asked for a better travelling companion.
Graham, 59, whose character was murdered on the eve of the battle of Culloden in the season two finale of Outlander, said: “When I met Sam, the last thing I thought we’d ever do is go on a road trip together in a campervan. It just shows you – life is strange.
“I’d never even been driven by Sam before we set off so I was appalled to learn that it had been years since he’d driven a manual car, let alone a bloody great campervan.
“Actually, after initial concerns, Sam proved to be a very good driver. With Sam, his motto of ‘consequences are just fun that hasn’t happened yet’ is sometimes a bit concerning but I’m glad to say that no sheep were harmed in the making of this road trip.”
The dad of two, who starred in The Hobbit trilogy, added: “Sam is like a son who is constantly trying to endanger me. He’s that child who lies in wait for you and tries to scare the living daylights out of you at every opportunity.
“There is nothing I dislike about Sam, to be honest (well, perhaps his ability to function better than me after a hangover). I l ike his energy and enthusiasm. We have a great relationship. We make each other laugh, which is the key to any friendship. It truly was the best road trip. Despite that, I will never forgive him for killing me off in Outlander.”
Sam, 40, said: “It certainly was never part of my long-term plan to go on the road with Mr McT in a campervan which was as unresponsive on the road as a carton of vegetable fat – the stash of whisky helped.
“Graham is less father figure, more disapprov ing g rumpy dr iv ing companion. To be fair, he’s actually great fun, when fed regularly, and has a great deal of historical knowledge.
“If Graham is fed every two hours and unaware of the dangerous situations that I like to subject him to, then he’s a dream. As long as he knows there’s food nearby, a chilled Chablis, a latte and a
EASY RIDERS Graham and Sam on the road near Balquhidder. Far left, at Loch Awe couple of dusty old maps, he’s quite content. He had some absurd notion that I kept trying to kill him with my driving but I consider myself pretty good. I’m not a speed freak at heart, I like to cruise. Though convincing Graham I’m out of control helps add drama and I love
to hear him squawk.
“Graham sounds aggressive and scary – many of his characters are – but he’s a pussycat at heart.”
Sam, who is about to hit our screens in SAS: Red Notice, based on the book by Andy McNab, added: “Graham often jokes that he saved my life on Outlander when he screamed for me to get out of a tent when a tractor was coming towards it. “He absolutely didn’t but if you were to stick close to him, I think you’d always be safe – he’s careful , probably due to experience. I think perhaps I am slightly more laissez-faire. “Joking apart, there is a dramatic moment towards the end of our journey but you will have to read the book to f ind out what happens.” Their epic trip saw them travel by boat, kayak, bicycle and motorbike and sidecar across the Highlands
CHARGING AHEAD The stars in Outlander in 2014 and lowlands of Scotland. Graham, who is the only actor to have played opposite Sly Stallone as John Rambo and Rocky, said: “There were just so many great moments. Holding a broadsword found on Culloden battlefield. Seeing the flag rescued from the battle by the Camerons. Relaxing whi le Sam rowed across Loch Ness as the sun set.
“Drinking a toast with Sam to my dear late friend, Martin Graham-Scott, who was killed in a car crash in 2004, as we looked out across Glencoe.”
Sam, who is set to star as actor Paul Newman in a biopic aboutut the life of author Roald Dahl, said:aid: “I loved every minute of it. From sharing a dram m dedicated to Graham’s dear friend to cycling past Kilchurn Castle on a tandem bike, kayaking in Loch Awe and taking a battering on the shinty pitch h against Inverness Ladies. es.
“Culloden gave me chills. hills. Standing on that cold,d, barren field, you can imagine men//boysb off your own age, standing there ready to face their fate. That’s the joy and intrigue of Scotland – the history is tangible.”
Sam, who also starred alongside Vin Diesel in action movie Bloodshot, added: “My favourite moments were definitely with Graham in the campervan.
“There was a lot of laughter and our livers took a bit of battering both on the road and with the crew at night.
“We started the road trip at 9am with a whisky tasting so, yes, our poor
CHILLS Memorial Culloden. at Below, Kilchurn Castle by Loch
Awe assistant/runner did a fair amount of driving. It’s no secret – I have my own whisky brand, which is out in the UK next month, so I saw it as ‘research’.”
The pair, whose eight-part travel series will air on Starz early next year, say the trip gave them time to reflect on their acting careers and how far they’ve come.
Sam talks about how he and brother Cirdan were raised by their artist mum Chrissie in the grounds of Kenmure Castle, near the town of New Galloway in Kirkcudbrightshire. He also reveals that before landing his OutlandeOutlander role he did an array of jobs, including delivering sandwsandwiches, selling perfume in HaHarrods and drawing up concontracts for the NHS.
SSam said: “It definitely wawas an idyllic childhood in some ways, having the countryside as a playplayground, the space to explexplore and develop my imaginimagination. I suppose I was destined to play Jamie Fraser. “I certainly wanted to be someone similariil – RRobertbttthe Bruce, King Arthur, a Roman legionnaire. My mum always encouraged me to follow my instincts.”
The dynamic duo admit their road trip is one they will never forget.
Graham said: “I’m just pleased to have survived. Sam encouraged me to explore my wilder side and made me feel alive.”
Sam added: “I admit I have a childish obsession with tormenting Graham but I am grateful to him for encouraging me to slow down and admire the scenery of life.”
There was a lot of laughter our and livers took battering a on the road and with the crew