Cast your mind back, if you will, to a time before Westeros and White Walkers - to a time before Game of Thrones.
Things were different then: people said that winter was coming without a slightly smug smile, tourism to Northern Ireland was much lower and the various actors - now superstars - were barely known.
Some of the stars of the show were, admittedly, just in school, while others were working on projects very different to their current shows.
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One actor otherwise engaged was Glasgow’s own Rory McCann - or The Hound, as he is known to fans of Game of Thrones.
McCann, whose character is also known as Sir Gregor Clegane, occupied an iconic position at the heart of Scottish pop culture. He was the Scott’s Porage Oats boy.
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The actor, who celebrated his 50th birthday yesterday, was the face of the brand. He played an uncharacteristically smiling, classically strong and very regularly semi-naked man who just loved his oats. Featuring in a series of TV and cinema ads, McCann starred in some rather cheeky shorts promoting the breakfast food.
Even before his role as the face of Scott’s Porage Oats, McCann took some time to come to acting. He studied at the Scottish School of Forestry, painted the Forth Road Bridge and worked as a landscape gardener. He also fronted a band and plays several musical instruments.
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The Glaswegian actor, though, is the classic choice for both his role as The Hound and as the muscular face of Scott’s Porage Oats. Despite reaching his half-century, McCann lives a rugged and transient lifestyle, enjoying rock climbing and various outdoor activities.
In fact, when I got in touch with his agent about an interview before the release of Game of Thrones, I was told “he is now away sailing so not taking part in any more press for the moment.”
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Looking back at his starring role in the Scott’s Porage Oats adverts, Game of Thrones fans have been delighted with what they saw.
Commenting on an old Youtube clip of McCann coming out of icy highland water wearing nothing but a sporran, one user said: “I always knew there was something sexy about Rory McCann.”
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Others, however, think that the young and cheery McCann could throw them next time they tune into Westeros, with one saying “I can never take him seriously in Game of Thrones now.”
Either way, it’s nice to remember that Rory McCann was an icon for healthy Scottish breakfasts before the world knew him as The Hound. The adverts were iconic in their time and remain recognisable to many different people today.
Happy belated birthday, Rory, and hopefully we’ll see The Hound smile or wear a kilt before the end of this final season of Game of Thrones.
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