SCOTS film star Alan Cumming has admitted he wants to be based in Scotland more as he gets older because “it’s such a good place to be in the world right now”.
His admission featured on the latest episode of the National Trust for Scotland’s podcast series, Love Scotland.
Cumming, who has starred in the likes of The Good Wife, Goldeneye and X-Men, was speaking with podcast presenter Jackie Bird, whom he previously worked with in Dundee.
Bird asked: “So, is it time for Alan Cumming to click his heels together and say there’s no place like home?”
READ MORE: Alan Cumming and Nicola Sturgeon smile together in behind-the-scenes photo from Burn
He replied: “I think I’ve always said that (I will). There’s a thing about going away from your country. Sometimes people think in some way you’re abandoning it. But the reasons that people go away is because they have been successful in their country. Work took me to other places.”
Cumming is a keen supporter of independence and regularly uses his platform to promote Scotland.
He is also an advocate of the National Trust of Scotland, which cares for sites across the country.
Speaking from California, he added: “I settled in New York and life happened, but I think your understanding of who you are and what you are is much stronger because of travelling.
“I feel very connected to Scotland, more and more. So, as I get older, I feel I want to be more based there.
“And to be able to come back and forward. I always love being in Scotland. And I just feel like it’s such a good place to be in the world right now.”
Cumming recently took on the role of legendary Scottish poet Robert Burns in a solo theatre performance.
The National Trust for Scotland's Jim Whyteside said: “The Love Scotland podcast is focused on celebrating Scotland’s rich history, culture and its people which aligns with our mission of providing every single person access through stories and experiences to our country’s diverse nature, beauty and heritage.
“Alan is one of the many fantastic guests with a passion for Scottish culture and heritage that we have spoken to this season, following on from Sam Heughan in our last episode.
"There are not many of our guests who have had such a varied a career as Alan’s, from working as a journalist in Dundee to performing in the bright lights of Broadway.
“We thank Alan for joining Jackie for this latest Love Scotland episode. It really is a fantastic listen.”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here