AUGUST 2025 - Filming a feature film on Rivers with Beluga Lagoon

So, we’re out with the Beluga Lagoon crew again, this time filming for Andrew’s big new wildlife film Rivers (aye, nae surprises what it’s about). The line-up: me, Andrew, Craig, and Mark. Blaine was meant to be there but sacked it off to head to Edinburgh to meet his film-making journo pal in the big city lights.

Our “very serious job” was to film this wee wooden toy boat drifting down the river. Proper wildlife cinematography, right? Truth is, it was just four grown men standing at the riverbank like daft laddies, cheering on a toy boat like it was Shackleton’s Endurance on a world-first expedition.

Then came the drama. The poor wooden boat made a beeline straight for a waterfall. Mark, channeling his inner Hollywood action hero, launched himself into the river in a heroic dive. For a moment it looked like we were about to film his last scene. He missed the boat, nearly went over the edge, and gave us all a heart attack.

Luckily, I legged it downstream and managed to fish the wee boat out after it went over. Boat saved. Mark still alive. Result.

To add to the fun, we were also playing about with my brand-new waterproof probe lenses. And no, before you ask, they’re not for probing people like some alien abduction kit — these beauties are for getting right in close to tiny wildlife. We got some cracking shots looking up at beetles, millipedes, frogs and whatever else was willing to sit still. Basically, a whole new angle on the world, macro-style.

A couple of weeks later, I even took one of the boats on a “holiday” up to the Moray Coast. Got some shots of it bobbing about at sea, looking like it had crossed the Atlantic on some epic voyage. Honestly, that wooden thing’s seen more adventure than most folk manage in a year.

Andrew’s close to finishing the film now — just needs a few autumn and winter shots. I’ve dropped in the odd drone flight and camera bit over the last couple of years, and knowing Andrew it’ll be brilliant. The man could film a puddle and make it look like Attenborough.

So aye, keep an eye out for Rivers next year. In the meantime, check out Beluga Lagoon Films on YouTube. That wee wooden boat had a near-death experience, but now it’s a star.

SEPTEMBER 2019 - TAG Heuer advert

Spent a few amazing days filming aerials for a TAG Heuer advert that included Astin Martins , helicopters and social media influencers. It was a superb crew to work with on this busy few days with many different activities. Filmed in Cine DNG on the DJI Inspire 2 with X7 camera. I piloted while Richard Elliot did an excellent job camera operating the drone. Mountain and Water Safety specialists were on hand doing the safety for the kayaking, walking and tyrollean too:)

A few pictures below of the days:)

AUGUST 2019 - Aerial filming for Bearsden band documentary of their tour through Scotland

Fun time on this with director Michael and DOP Sam and myself on the DJI Inspire 2 with X7 camera shooting for this documentary/music video. Bit of filming with the band in the morning then with their landrover later. Weather played ball for us which was great:) A few screen grabs below.

The band walking over Feshie Bridge

OCTOBER 2018 - Casio Watch Advert

Had a great week working on a Casio online advert with Warren from Casio and several other mates:). Warren outlined his story and then we bounced it back and forward between us to fill it in with locations extra ideas transitions etc.

We were challenged by the weather this time after doing an advert back in march where we had perfect weather. This time we chased round the country with some long days out and about and winds up to 60mph and rain, sleet, snow, hail and fortunately some sun to keep us thinking. We got there though:)

Selection of behind the scenes pics above by Iain Rudkin (out with us to capture the mountain biking on Monday www.iainrudkin.com), Will Copestake (Out with us to capture the kayaking on Wednesday www.willcopestakemedia.com) and a couple from my iPhone and one from the drone:)

Thanks to Jess Creber for biking abilities while carrying a wee one inside and Joe Kirk for a bit of biking and lapping big waterfalls in his kayak for the camera:)