I know that you started as an extreme sport fanatic. Is that what got you initially interested in filmmaking?

Yeah, definitely. I was constantly at the skatepark, either rollerblading, skateboarding, BMXing, Heelys, anything. I spent the whole of my summer at the skatepark every year and suffered quite a few accidents. One summer I had a cast on my arm which meant I couldn’t really skate, but I still really wanted to be at the skatepark, so I started filming people till my arm got better and fell in love with it straight away. I soon began to be known as the person at the skatepark that would be filming.

How did you then get into nature documentary in particular?

I always just had an absolute fascination and love of animals. If I wasn’t at the skatepark I was always in the woods right behind my house. I was able to combine my love of animals with the skill set that I already had for filming fast-moving objects, like rollerblades or skateboarders, things that are unpredictable, so a lot of elements were really similar to filming wildlife. I had also developed a lot of patience from waiting for someone to land a trick on a skateboard, and understanding that things take time, and that was also transferable to wildlife. So, everything lined up, and then I just started pursuing it more seriously and working on my own wildlife films.

I believe that you have worked with Gordon Buchanan. Has he had any influence on your work?

Oh yeah, absolutely, he’s definitely someone I looked up to massively. We went out and filmed a piece on Loch Lomond for my Scottish wildlife documentary Shooting Animals, and chatted about everything including his career, mistakes, advice for other people who want to get into filmmaking. We also talked a lot about the situation for nature in Scotland, and what needs to happen at a government level. The documentary is still available on STV Player, and actually just won ‘best doc’ at the Scottish Short Film Festival.

Do you have a favourite place you have filmed?

Mull blew me away. I visited for the first time only last summer, and I’ve been back several times since already. Mull is like a wildlife haven: sea eagles, otters, deer, owls, everything I saw was phenomenal. I spent hours watching and filming otters, which was magic. I was able to spend a substantial amount of time observing them and their amazing behaviours.

Is there anything you dream of filming and do you have any projects that you are working on?

I’ve always really wanted to see and film a pangolin, which is unfortunately the most trafficked mammal in the world. I would really like to have the opportunity to go out and do some work filming and telling the story of the people who are working to protect them, and the bigger picture of the trafficking situation. But in terms of future projects, I have just won the National Geographic sponsored ‘wild pitch’ contest at the Wildscreen Festival in Bristol with a pitch called The Animal Kingdom of Fife, featuring myself and fellow Fifer and RSGS Fellow Doug Allan. So, we are very much hoping to make our TV show about local ecological issues.

What do you hope people take away from your documentaries?

I hope that when people watch, it puts a smile on their faces to see amazing animals and the epic nature we have in Scotland, and also compels them to think about what they can do to help the situations that are happening in the background for these animals, and the fragility of wildlife. Rather than feeling despair at certain situations, I would like people to feel inspired and empowered to want to help.

What Are you looking forward to for A Wild Night In?

I'm extremely excited about this event - I think we are natural born storytellers in Scotland, and this coupled with our endlessly inspiring landscapes and wildlife, it makes sense we are drawn to documenting and sharing it with others! To me, filmmakers like Gordon, Doug and Mandi are a huge inspiration and people whose footsteps I'd like to follow. It's an honour to be involved in an event with them and I think between us, the audience will get a real range of stories about the beauty and madness of our chosen careers in the wild. Look forward to seeing you there!”

Book your tickets now for A Wild Night In!

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This article is from the 2022 Winter edition of The Geographer magazine.