Netflix blockbuster mystery driver is ’tractor-ed’ down

The Argyllshire Advertiser has finally “tracked down” the famous tractor driver who featured in a film shoot of The Diplomat in Inveraray.

Earlier this year, we reported that the Royal Burgh’s Main Street was closed on a Saturday afternoon for filming the Netflix blockbuster.

Shops along Main Street received a lick of paint, while locals and visitors came out in force to watch the excitement as the cameras rolled.

The American political thriller stars Keri Russell and Rufus Sewell, with the series due to hit screens later this year. During the filming in February, John Mackay, a regular visitor to Inveraray, said: “Rufus Sewell came out of the shop as a tractor drove passed.

It seemed the star of the show was the tractor driver.

“They did the take three or four times. All of the locals were talking about what a great guy the tractor driver was. He must be a well-known local.

“His job was to drive the tractor and Rufus Sewell had to walk out in front of it.”

The Advertiser was contacted by Heather Fraser, 32, who helped us solve the mystery.

His name is Ian Torrance, also 32, Heather’s partner. The couple live in Drymen and Ian works for Ardgate Farm at Gartocharn, where he helps look after the cattle, drives diggers and, of course, tractors.

Heather said: “It was my mum who spotted the article online. She showed it to him; he keeps telling her he’s moving to Hollywood.”

She added that they had a great time during filming, were put up in Brambles Hotel and Café and enjoyed lunch at Inveraray Castle.

Heather continued: “We had a great time. He especially had a good time in costume and make-up. He was having a

Ian Torrance beside and in the cab of the tractor during the filming of Netflix production The Diplomat in Inveraray.

laugh with the make-up girls.

“They put a green Barbour jacket on him, and he was hoping he would get to keep it, but they took it back off him. Ian is the type of person that just makes a joke of everything.

“We took the tractor up the night before filming. He had to start from the church at the top of Main Street. They would shout ‘action’ and he had to start the tractor and drive down the road.

“The first couple of times he did it he was going too fast. The director had a walkie talkie and asked him to slow down a wee bit. He had to do it a couple of times.”

Ian took time out from minding the cattle and tractors to give us the inside scoop.

He said: “The production company got in touch with a friend of mine. They were originally looking for off cuts of wood, then they asked if they knew somebody with a tractor.

“My girlfriend Heather organised it all by email. I’m no good with all that, I just drive my tractor.

“I’ve never done anything like that before. It was good fun.”