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Dougray Scott: Why Sofia is Europe's most underrated city

Sofia is so underrated, and Bulgaria as a whole is still below the tourist radar. But the architecture, art galleries and museums are fantastic - Jonathan Reid
Sofia is so underrated, and Bulgaria as a whole is still below the tourist radar. But the architecture, art galleries and museums are fantastic - Jonathan Reid

Dougray Scott, the Scottish actor, on eating brains in Morocco, why Düsseldorf lacks soul and the mysticism of Cuba.

I live two separate lives...

...splitting my time between London and Los Angeles when I’m not working. Recently I’ve been to Romania, Belfast and Manchester for filming.

Scotland is my spiritual home...

...there’s a great serenity to it and it calms me down. My mum and sisters still live there. My family is incredibly important to me, and I want my kids to have that bond with them and to appreciate the value of their support, so I take them there regularly.

I vividly remember the wild, unspoilt scenery...

...and the ferry rides across to the Scottish islands as a child. Our family holidays involved caravanning in Scotland, travelling up and down the west coast. Our favourite places were around the Isles of Bute, Islay and Gigha.

Everything felt so exciting...

....and different on my first trip abroad when I was 14 and I climbed Zugspitze – Germany’s highest mountain. I was in Böblingen near Stuttgart in Germany. I joined my sister on an exchange as I’d been taking German at school.

The mountains of Germany - Credit: Getty
The mountains of Germany Credit: Getty

I’m not a sun-worshipper...

...but I do enjoy a little fun in the sun for our family holidays. My wife and I recently took our three-year-old, Milo, to beautiful Mexico, which is only a three-hour flight for us. The best ever beach holiday I’ve had was to Carlisle Bay in Antigua. I loved swimming in the crystal-blue water or reading by the pool.

India is my favourite country...

...outside Scotland of course. The first time I went was in my early 20s and I went to Goa. It was so good, I don’t remember most of it! I love visiting India now that I’m older, but I’ve yet to take my twins or my youngest there.

A beach in Goa. It's almost as nice as Scotland - Credit: tanito - Fotolia
A beach in Goa. It's almost as nice as Scotland Credit: tanito - Fotolia

Golf is my passion...

...and I first learnt how to play it when I was a wee boy at the links course at Machrihanish on the Mull of Kintyre.  I recently went on a boys’ trip to Ireland – we did the courses at Portrush, Castle Rock, Royal County Down and Waterville. My handicap is six, although my friends said it was more like three or four on the trip. I love them for that!

Dougray Scott hits a tee shot during the 2015 Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open at Gullane Golf Club in Scotland - Credit: Getty
Dougray Scott hits a tee shot during the 2015 Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open at Gullane Golf Club in Scotland Credit: Getty

Lush tropical views and pristine beaches...

...are plenty in the Kauri Cliffs in New Zealand and the best golf course I’ve ever played is there too. Sadly my wife (actress Claire Forlani) doesn’t share my enthusiasm for golf. When I was filming Hitman in Bulgaria, I took her out to the driving range and she lasted about 90 seconds before she went back to the car.

The panorama was breathtaking...

...across the mountain range from 13,000 feet above sea level when I climbed Mount Kinabalu. The climb up the World Heritage Site was strenuous and incredibly difficult but worth it. Luckily, I didn’t get altitude sickness, but our cameraman was violently ill. I was there 20 years ago filming The Place of the Dead about a British Army trek that went tragically wrong.

Dougray Scott | Favourite travel accessories
Dougray Scott | Favourite travel accessories

Sunset Tower is a such special place...

...for its beautiful Art Deco architecture and old Hollywood glamour. The Los Angeles hotel is my favourite in the world. I’ve been lucky enough to stay in one of the Townhouse suites.

Eating brains in Morocco...

...and a chicken liver dessert in Turkey have been some of my worst meals ever. But my culinary highlights abroad have been sushi in Hawaii and an incredible steak in Buenos Aires.

Mozambique was so rewarding...

...but getting there involved an incredibly long journey to Johannesburg, another two-and-a-half-hour flight, followed by a seven-hour bumpy truck ride. I was there filming in small villages that needed the help of the WaterAid charity.  

Ibo Island in Mozambique - Credit: © ERIC LAFFORGUE / Alamy Stock Photo/ERIC LAFFORGUE / Alamy Stock Photo
Ibo Island in Mozambique Credit: © ERIC LAFFORGUE / Alamy Stock Photo/ERIC LAFFORGUE / Alamy Stock Photo

Düsseldorf lacks soul...

...and I wasn’t impressed with it when I visited. It felt very industrial.

Sofia is so underrated...

...and Bulgaria as a whole is still below the tourist radar. But the architecture, art galleries and museums are fantastic. I took my son Milo and he was enthralled by the stuffed animals in one of the galleries.

There’s a mysticism to Cuba...

...with its turbulent political history. Largely untouched by mainstream tourism, it truly feels like one of the last unspoilt places on Earth. Everyone I know who’s visited has raved about it and it’s next on my travel bucket list.

Snatch, the new television series starring Dougray Scott,  airs from Oct 31 at 10pm, AMC on BT TV.

Interview by Sarah Ewing