Clanlands: By Sam Heughan & Graham McTavish
The pandemic marked a new technique of globetrotting that is based on screens and virtual reality. Due to lockdown and travel restrictions, we came to experience fun in a new way. Digital tours and expeditions on YouTube and other platforms were highly recommended and viewed. People happened to be glued to their monitors. But some of us bookworms in here have traveled and encountered leisure through papers and words. And that’s exactly how my journey with Clanlands have started!
Allow me to take you down the historical lanes of Edinburgh, Glasgow and Aberdeen that are rich with untold stories and folklores. While the sound of bagpipes resonate into our ears, taking us towards an ancient duration filled with epic laughter and conversations of those who were flourishing, but now long gone.
Allow me to take you to Scotland, land of the Brave .
Let’s travel and experience this land through the eyes of the two amazing actors/authors, Sam Heughan and Graham McTavish (HI OUTLANDER FANS!!). On the show Sam and Graham are linked through blood and kinship, which created a huge space for rivalry to settle in. However, they’re the complete opposite far-off Outlander set and its backdrops. Both talented actors have bonded over the love of a nation, the love for Scotland and its hidden treasures.
This passion resulted in not only the production of an enchanting, documented journey across the Scottish Highlands, but a strong bond of a long-term friendship too!. As Sam stated referring to Graham "A man so passionate about Scotland and so well versed in its history, it is my pleasure to share this journey with him". Graham on the other hand is another history lover who is more passionate about historical ruins because they fill in a gap through one’s own imagination, which I personally admire too. As he said "I’ve always preferred ruins to well-maintained castles. Like a good book, they allow you to use your imagination to fill in the gaps".
The adventure starts with the 'Camper Van' that I believe is the soul of the whole journey!. This is where most of the memories and jokes were made. Not to forget the deep thoughtful conversations that did hit sensitive spots of their personal lives, upbringing, career and even the set of Outlander.
Outlander have built a strong sense of belonging to Scotland which ensued the need to be more acquainted with the nation’s background. A nation that is unfortunately still being seen as small and not rich in history. As stated by Sam "Scotland is so much bigger than people think. There’s a whole other world above Glasgow and Edinburgh".
Prehistoric visualizations of the ruins and old inhabitants display the perception of loyalty, risk and even loss. It’s like Scotland was born to mark itself on the map and people’s hearts through struggle and devotion. Yes indeed, "Scotland was born fighting" as Graham quoted.
What a better way to enjoy a long road trip, than to jest about the driver’s grim driving while sipping your Latte!
Well, part of Sam and Graham’s fellowship is based on fooling around and making fun of Graham’s intimate need for his latte, even on the set of Outlander ..
Graham’s love for a latte assigned him a new nickname that I still can’t hold myself from not laughing about!. Here’s what Sam had to say about this endless love .. "Graham always needs a latte. On the set of Outlander, Graham’s catchphrase was ' I’ll have a latte', and he swiftly became known as Lady McTavish for being so high-maintenance, the polar opposite of his hard-core warlord character in Outlander, Dougal MacKenzie ".
Its hilarious how Graham never denied his love for a latte, as he said, "Sam speaks 'marathon'. I speak 'latte' ".
Clanlands is the perfect combination of learning and enjoying. Every page is a lesson lectured by two Scottish history enthusiasts.
Wait a minute! this is not a basic boring history book and adventure. In fact, this is a journey of two funny Scotsmen who are passionate about their nation’s past. And in a very fun, informative chat and sightseeing, they were able to illustrate the sceneries and narrate the plot as if we were personally there with them!
In the end I’d like to acknowledge that ..
· A memorable journey, regardless of its simplicity will stick in your head for a lifetime if and when it’s done with the right people. Adventures not only concern visiting physical places. Reading a book can also take you to not only one, but multiple locations. And that’s exactly what Clanlands is all about. You’ll get to visit archeological remains and meet legendary figures while you’re snuggling under the blanket or stretching on the couch!
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