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Daily Record
National
Sean Murphy

Men in Kilts: Things you might not know as stars Sam and Graham get ready for season 2

With Outlander stars Sam Heughan and Graham McTavish set to return to our screens with Men in Kilts season two, fans are getting excited to see the pair once again.

This time around Sam and Graham will be heading to the other side of the world to New Zealand to explore the Scottish influence on the many facets of this beautiful country.

Speaking about the new series on Twitter, Graham, wrote: “There will be driving, joy, shock, surprises, landscapes, history, and a celebration of all things Kiwi."

So far, there is no set release date for the new season of Men in Kilts but since filming wrapped in February it is likely we could see it by the end of summer.

To celebrate this amazing show, we thought we'd take a look at some of the things you might not know.

Graham McTavish actually lives in New Zealand

Sam and Graham have finished filming the second season of Men In Kilts. (Instagram)

Graham, who was born in Glasgow, has lived in New Zealand since 2011 and has filmed movies such as The Hobbit there.

He has also previously filmed travel shows in his adopted country such as an episode for iFit’s New Zealand Trekking Series.

Men in Kilts, and the book Clanlands, were originally going to be a podcast

Sam and Graham on the cover of Clanlands (Starz)

While filming Outlander where Sam plays Jamie Fraser and Graham Dougal MacKenzie, the pair hit upon the idea of creating a podcast together.

Well, both originally liked the idea of a TV show about Scotland's history and clans but the podcast seemed more likely to work.

However, the Clan Lands podcast was not to be and instead they went with the TV show idea instead – Clanlands went on to become the name of the book which details their adventures on the show.

The entire first season was just Sam's attempts to pull Graham out of his comfort zone

Sam even joked that lowering Graham off a cliff was probably his favourite moment from season one: "It was great TV, it's great fun to see Graham angry, upset, hungry and happy occasionally."

He also stated that pranking Graham is one of his "favourite pastimes and even quipped that the show should really be called "Ways of Winding up Graham".

They really slept in the campervan

We aren't sure how true this one is but both swear they did in fact sleep in the campervan overnight when they were out on the road filming.

They both agreed that Scotland's most fearsome natural predator the midge was their biggest problem

Sam seemed to be a magnet for them with Graham saying "battalions of midges" attacking him, which Graham described as "amusing" – perhaps getting his own back a little bit?

Graham McTavish hopes the show will destroy some of the stereotypes around Scotland

That Scotland has terrible food and that Scots are mean.

He said: “There's been a misconception that Scottish food was not that great and just haggis.

“Scottish food is among the best in the world. It's absolutely fantastic, especially the produce.

"It’s the envy of Europe. And the second thing which hopefully comes across in the show is that stupid idea that the Scots are mean and kind of tight and all that sort of stuff.

"Honestly, they’re the most generous people I’ve ever met. They would do anything for you.”

Sam and Graham are not native Gaelic speakers

Like a majority of Scots, the pair don't actually speak Gaelic.

The duo had to learn the phrases and lines they would speak in Outlander purely for the show.

Graham has a genuine fear of heights

Much to Sam's glee, it would appear.

Which makes his bravery in the Kilt Rock episode even more impressive.

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