Words Lee Curtis

If you’ve seen Succession, you know Brian Cox as Logan Roy, the formidable patriarch of the Roy empire who never waters anything down. Now, he’s pouring another drop of dysfunctional family drama, one that’s much closer to home.

A proud son of Scotland, the stage-and-screen legend has enjoyed an extraordinary career. Yet in his late seventies, he’s ageing like a fine single malt and still finds new ground to break as he makes his directorial debut with a tender, tense drama blended with unfiltered Scottish spirit.

Joining him is fellow Scotsman Alan Cumming – BAFTA-winner, Emmy magnet, Tony darling, and now the mischievous face of the US version of The Traitors.

Together they play Sandy and Donal, brothers estranged for almost forty years. One stayed to keep the family’s famous whisky flowing; the other fled to America for a different life. Now, Sandy looks to step down as long-serving chairman and sees his younger brother as his successor. But Donal’s long overdue homecoming isn’t exactly neat on the nose and his inheritance plans don’t quite measure up.

If Donal can’t be swayed by the strength of a restored brotherly bond, perhaps the rekindling of an old flame will. Shirley Henderson plays Jess, the woman he left behind, whose presence stirs long-buried feelings.

Alexandra Shipp completes this feel-good film’s fine cast as Donal’s daughter, Amy, who hopes this belated reunion might finally smooth things over. After all, things are often better late than never.

From Scotland With Love

Local Hero

Bill Forsyth’s whimsical, quietly profound classic sees an American oil executive sent to buy a tiny Scottish village, only to be disarmed by its charm, its people, and the land itself.

Trainspotting

If Glenrothan is a feel-good love letter to Scotland, Danny Boyle’s adaptation of Irvine Welsh’s novel is anything but. It’s a raw, kinetic story of addiction and recovery in Edinburgh, but a good, urgent message beats at its heart: choose life.

Sunshine On Leith

Named after Scotland’s unofficial national anthem, this vibrant jukebox musical follows two soldiers’ post-war journey from misery to happiness. Set to the soaring songs of The Proclaimers, it’s a kilt-twirling celebration of love, friendship, and Scotland.