April 2024 - Aerial Filming in Glencoe for a BBC ALBA Documentary

A nice few days with Solus Productions filming a revisit to a documentary from 8 years ago with a lady called Gladys. She was born in Ireland then adopted and brought to the west coast of Scotland and speaks Gaelic. She has been trying to find her original family all her life and some things come to light since the previous documentary.

Tony was directing, Phil on the main camera and Rowan producing. I was doing drone then some second camera during the interviews indoors.

Classic drone shot Glencoe

Speak Bridge

Great Grannie and Grandads house:)

JANUARY 2024 - My most viewed film I've made from start to finish to date.

This was fun film to make. I made it with Warren from Casio Watches. He had some ideas and was looking for a drone pilot here in Aviemore but after chatting for 30 minutes on the phone or so he decided that maybe we could make the film together.

So we came up with a storyboard and script. He mainly wrote the words as he knows the watch and will have to speak the words himself. I decided on locations and how we could shoot it and make a story out of an instructional film. Trying to keep the editing interesting and flowing.

Warren then arrived in Aviemore and we started filming the different bits which started with a walk up Sgor Gaoith (1118m) a munro nearby, The weather was nice and cloudy allowing us to film the navigation parts with the watch. But I desperately wanted a view too. It didn’t seem to be happening. Then we reached the top in the cloud doh. We were just starting a sandwich when the cloud started dropping down. Sandwiches stuffed away and a mad rush as we started getting our filming done in one of the most stunning days I’ve ever seen above the cloud in the Cairngorms. We got some great drone shots and speaking to drone shots too. A theme of this film. Means trying to match lines afterwards which is tricky but fortunately Warren repeated the words back exactly to the ground camera mic after. We got our bits and the cloud came back in and was gone. It gave us 30-40mins. I heard from friends who are Mountain and Ski guides that day that they unfortunately never saw a view so we were so lucky!!

The comments on Youtube here about all the crew that must be on the summit behind the camera is hilarious, worth a read lol. It was just me carrying the camera and drone and my winter kit and Warren carrying his winter kit and our lunches:)

We then headed down to film the next bits the day after. We had three locations for the cliff. The top of the cliff was Uath Lochains, the cliff was Farletter crag a couple of miles away and the frozen loch at the bottom of the cliff was Loch Morlich, 6 miles away haha. And yes Warren did actually throw the watch off the cliff from 10m up, a few times. And he had to post that watch to Milan for a high end budget advert (not watched as much as this one lol) straight after our shooting as only two in the world at that time.

Filming the mud fall was interesting only had one go at it and also had to try our best to stop it from looking totally cheesy which it had high potential for! I think we got away with mild cheese lol

The final bit was in front of the fire in my house. Pretty good to have all these varied locations on my doorstep.

Then I went at it editing it together and matching swipe pan edits etc. Then a colour grade and sounds added in and sent over to casio who were very pleased. Its got some nice views too, 1.6 million.

JANUARY 2024 - Filming at Walkers Shortbread for ITV This Morning

A fun day out seeing round the factory where they make the famous shortbread. Donal MacIntyre was the presenter who is a great laugh and Will Thomas was directing.

The factory is in Aberlour so a job pretty close to home. The smell all day was amazing. Made you so hungry.

Aberlour

Donal, Will and myself outside Walkers shop on Aberlour high st.

A freebie from our day out:)

OCTOBER 2023 - Aerial filming on a action feature film in Aberdeen-shire

Of filming for Director Dave as he makes his new feature film. I previously worked on other features with him. Was great weather and a good day out with a few of the Action actors. Several shots of cars moving and establishing shots and films opening:)

Inspire 2 drone still working well on features

Day 1 of filming team:)

Drone and pilot:)

OCTOBER 2023 - Aerial Filming the floods in Scotland

I spent a couple of days filming the River Spey in flood as often documentary makers are looking for shots of the Spey in flood so I thought I should catch some of it and plus it is very interesting to see it from the air but also devastating seeing what it has done to peoples properties too.

SEPTEMBER 2023 - Aerial filming in Scotland a drone showreel

Been a while since I made a drone show reel. A new drone showreel of a selection of work I have been up to over the past while.  The clips were all shot for actual jobs I was working on for several different companies.  'Scotland from the Air' was my title then I realised one shot is not from Scotland but heyho.  I was thinking Holy Island is north of Hadrians wall but on googling Hadrians wall I learnt (seemingly a common misconception, was for me lol) has always been entirely within England:).  But I filmed at Holy Island twice this year on two different jobs so wanted at least one shot in there:)

The showreel has been all filmed by drone using the DJI Inspire 2 with X7 Camera, the DJI Mavic 3 pro CINE and the DJI Mavic 2 pro. Hope you enjoy:)

SEPTEMBER 2023 - Aerial filming Scotland for Nat Geo on TV Now

So a bit of my filming was on last night for this TV Show on the National Geographic program. Was working with Nathan Budd on the Isle of Orkney flying from a boat for the day over the old WWII sunken ships, with the Inspire 2 drone with X7 Camera. Amazingly we got great weather for this as the day I arrived on Orkney to was horrible and the day after the shoot it was also horrible lol. So we were very lucky.Can probably see it on the Disney channel now:)

AUGUST 2023 - Aerial filming in Scotland for Jules and Greg Wild Swimming for BBC

So a large part of my August was taken up as the Drone pilot for this TV show produced by Solus Productions with Tony directing, Jim Producing, Sean as DOP, Colin on sound, Rowen as production, and Kitty and Niamh in trainee positions. It will be released later this year or the start of next year:)

Then Jules (the teacher in Balamorey) and Greg (Victor in Still Game) were our talent who travelled round Scotland filming with different cold water swimmers to find out why they all do it. We were in Fife, Aberfeldy, Kenmore, Aviemore, Loch Ness, Skye, Mull and Iona:)

Was such a brilliant crew and made for a very fun job. Jules and Greg are superb fun too. Plus we all got in swimming in a lot of the places as we went too. A few pictures of some of the BTS.

Aerial Filming the Boat swim day:)

The awesome Solus Productions crew:)

Loch Ness

AUGUST 2023 - Aerial filming for 'Scotlands home of the Year'

Fun day popping round a few houses in the North east of Scotland to get drone shots for Scotlands home of the year. Nice to meet the owners and see these places. One was near my parents house and one was near my house lol.

I had free rain just to be creative with my drone for an hour or so at each location. looking forward to seeing the show:) Unfortunately I can’t show the houses until after.

JULY 2023 - Drone Pilot on Skye and Rona for Ben Fogle Sacred Isles

Great fun working with this team from the central belt with Tern TV. Craig Directing and Seamus MacCrackin as DOP. I was doing the aerial filming as we did several different activities on the Isle of Skye and Rona. the Mavic 3 Pro was put to test as at times it was too windy for my Inspire 2 with X7 Camera. Gusting 45mph on the Quirking and still held a stable image just had to do the landing in the lee of the hill.

I think it comes out in the autumn.

The team on the boat to Rona

JUNE 2023 - Drone pilot Shetland for the final episode of Dana.

Compared to my last time in Shetland we had amazing weather this week here. The Dana team headed to Shetland by boat and plane.

Hamish Directing as usual and first camera, Kenny presenting with Owen alongside, Rich and milky on safety and my self doing the aerial filming. Produced by Solus Productions for BBC ALBA.

We climbed on some spectacular sea cliffs and even did a first accent in one of the UK’s most Northerly spots:)

Kenny leading up an E3 at Esha Ness

Esha Ness Lighthouse

Shetland team

JUNE 2023 - Drone pilot in Morayshire for 'This Farming Life' at Thorabella Farm open day near Dallas.

Fun day filming with Nicky and Ollie at Thorabella Farm open day. Hundreds of people turned up to look round the farm and see the animals. Weather was perfect too. I spent most of the day with a ground camera but also several drone flights during the day to see the farm from the air:)

The farm as people start arriving:)

JUNE 2023 - Myself as a drone pilot in the papers for advertising the new National Geographic series 'Europe from Above'

Appeared in a few papers over the weekend to advertise the National Geographic series called Europe from above. I shot a few of the UK parts of it mainly in Scotland with Barra airport, Up Hella Ya in Shetland, an Archeological dig on Holy Island where a few. Great to be involved in this and the second series for me. Below arte a few paper articles and seemingly it ran in around 100 regional papers too. Nice phot of me in the Sun lol.

https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/22629778/brits-never-heard-traditional-events/

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-12178487/UKs-ancient-traditions-leave-modern-day-Brits-baffled.html

https://www.dailystar.co.uk/news/uk-news/top-unknown-traditional-uk-events-30193275

https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/top-unknown-traditional-uk-events-30193038

https://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/1779034/top-traditional-uk-events-competitions-cheese-rolling

Me and my Inspire 2 drone with the X7 camera that I use to shoot the series.

MAY 2023 - Drone showreel show some of my filming work as a drone operator, drone pilot while aerial filming in Scotland during the winter months:)

Had a few days spare so thought I’d edit up a wee drone showreel of the past few winters for you to see. Summer one coming later:)

Drone showreel of aerial filming in Scotland during the winter months:)

'Winter in the Scottish highlands' is a drone showreel from the past winter seasons around Scotland filming.

This was filmed mainly on the Mavic 2 pro DJI Drone and sometimes the DJI Inspire 2 drone with X7 Camera.  All filmed by myself Kirk Watson.  I am a qualified drone pilot, drone operator or aerial cinematographer living in the Scottish Highlands.

Music is from https://www.belugalagoon.com the track is called 'King of the Cold'

Dana on BBC ALBA is available on iplayer (at times) season 3 out in autumn

Roaming in the Wild BBC Scotland is available on iplayer (at times) or Amazon prime

Ephemeral with Guy Robertson, Greg Boswell and Hamish Frost climbing is available at: https://filmfestivalflix.com/product/brit-rock-iv-purchase/#tab-description

Here's the clips if you are wondering where they are taken:)

1: Caledonian pine forest Cairngorms National Park

2: Caledonian pine forest Cairngorms National Park

3: Glen Tilt and yes a fox appeared in my shot which was beautiful

4: River tilt and Atholl Highlander Sandy Ried's car

5: River tilt and Atholl Highlander Sandy Ried's car

6: River tilt and Atholl Highlander Sandy Ried's car

7: River tilt and Atholl Highlander Sandy Ried stood on bridge

8: Glen tilt

9: Red deer at Blair atoll castle

10: Sgùrr nan Gillean, Skye

11: Looking towards Sgurr a' Bhastier, I think:)

12: Coinneach MacFhraing (Kenny Rankin) and Matt Glenn heading up Sgurr nan Gillean, Skye.

13: Coinneach MacFhraing (Kenny Rankin) and Matt Glenn heading up Sgurr nan Gillean, Skye. For TV show Dana

14: Coinneach MacFhraing (Kenny Rankin) and Matt Glenn heading up Sgurr nan Gillean, Skye. For TV show Dana

15: Coinneach MacFhraing (Kenny Rankin) and Matt Glenn heading up Am Basteir, Skye. For TV show Dana

16: Coinneach MacFhraing (Kenny Rankin) and Matt Glenn heading up Am Basteir, Skye. For TV show Dana

17: Coinneach MacFhraing (Kenny Rankin) and Matt Glenn stood on summit of Am Basteir, Skye. For TV show Dana

18: Coinneach MacFhraing (Kenny Rankin) and Matt Glenn stood on the Basteir tooth, Skye. For TV show Dana

19: The Campsies in December at sunrise. For Roaming in the Wild BBC Scotland.

20: Andrew O'Donnell and Mark Taylor rafting the Glazert river. For Roaming in the Wild BBC Scotland.

21: Andrew O'Donnell and Mark Taylor rafting the River Kelvin. For Roaming in the Wild BBC Scotland.

22: Andrew O'Donnell and Mark Taylor rafting the River Kelvin. For Roaming in the Wild BBC Scotland.

23: Guy Robertson and Hamish Frost walk into An Teallach for a new route. For award wining film Ephemeral by Alastair Lee of Posing productions link above to purchase from Britrock film tours.

24: Guy Robertson and Hamish Frost walk into An Teallach for a new route.

25-27: Guy Robertson climbing on An Teallach.

28: View into Loch Avon in the Cairngorms

29: Coire an Lochain, Cairngorms National Park.

30: Coire an t-Sneachda, Cairngorms National Park.

31: Beinn Eighe with Coinneach MacFhraing (Kenny Rankin) and Rori Hawthorn teaser of Dana season 3 on BBC ALBA out in Autumn.

32: Beinn Eighe with Coinneach MacFhraing (Kenny Rankin) and Rori Hawthorn teaser of Dana season 3 on BBC ALBA out in Autumn.

33: Ben Nevis North Face

34: Guy Robertson soloing an ice route on the Ben.

35-37: Greg Boswell on a first ascent of some hanging ice on Ben Nevis.  Hamish Frost and Guy Robertson are below belaying.  Alastair Lee filming from above.  Full film available on link at top, Brit Rock.

38-42:  Cairngorm Plateau with Andrew O'Donnell and Mark Taylor of Beluga Lagoon ski mountaineering and I am in a few shots flying and skiing.  This was the Cairngorms episode of Roaming in the Wild.  Can see on Amazon Prime.

APRIL 2023 - Drone pilot in Orkney and some camera work for Stramash Films Ltd

Great few days filming with Deva Smith from Stramash films as we film with Orbital a company leading the way with tidal power. Super interesting to see what they do. Also very interesting flying my drone from a moving boat that can’t stop for me as it’s towing a 700 ton turbine. usually have the option of getting the boat to slow down or stop completely as I land. deva was catching the drone and did a great job at it as he has done it many times before.

Had to set up NOTAMS with Kirkwall airport for this as the final position was within the FRZ . Lovely being out on a boat round Orkney and it was a great sunny day:)

APRIL 2023 - Drone pilot in Scotland heads to Malta :)

Headed to Malta for a great film job with ITV This Morning. Here we are filming a piece about film locations and Malta has been used for many: Gladiator, Game of Thrones, Troy and many more. Joe for Gavin and Stacey is the presenter here. Such a lovely lady and very good fun to work with. Dom is the director from ITV This Morning and his dad is from Malta who we met along with several other family members hahaha. Handy having a director who knows all the places in Malta and having a Maltese second name helps too:)

Here I was doing the main camera work. Mostly on the Gimbal. I was also doing the sound as budget was tight. Then the drone work on top too.

Was interesting doing the drone permits for here but fortunately I have been registered here for years. Every flight must be authorised by their civil aviation authority so there is a lot of online paperwork to set up a job. But straight forward after you do the first few and get used to the system.

The tourism board helped us lots and sorted our permits and an amazing hotel to stay in. A bit better than normal being the number 1 hotel there:)

Our 5 star hotel ‘The Phoenicia Malta’ such an amazing place and lovely people.

The outdoor pool and the end of a few hundred meters of lovely gardens:)

Our film team with Mario the guide (with encyclopaedic knowledge of the island) Dom in the back and Joe the presenter up front.

January 2023 - Drone pilot Kishorn for BP job for Chris's company Sky Hook TV

Chris gave me a phone to head along to Kishorn to pilot his Inspire 2 while he camera operated and all flying from a boat. Great to see Chris again as first time since we worked together on a job Filming sheep several years ago. This was his job I was just working for him and his company Sky Hook TV

Was a fun job and after some initial rain we got some stunning weather. Such a cool place at Kishorn where oil rigs are set in a backdrop of amazing mountains and Britains highest road on Being Bhan. The filming will be used in a BP advert.

Two BAFTA winning drone pilots on the same boat:)

November 2022 - Camera Operator and Drone pilot Northumberland with John Torode

So John is back on the road on his bike as we tour a few spots in Northumberland and cook several lovely dishes. John is always great and easy to work with and so are the ITV This Morning crew. Will Thomas, directing, Natalie managing the cooking and Ian on Sound.

Was a fun week and weather amazingly held for us for November:)

Bamburgh Castle, the amazing spot for one of the cooks:)

John on Holy Island for a cook:)

AUGUST 2022 - Drone operator on the Isle of Arran for Dana BBC ALBA Show

Great to return to another Dana TV show this time on the isle of Arran. Again here I am doing the aerial filming while Hamish does the directing and A camera. Kenny presenting and Rich doing the mountain safety. We are now all good friends after several trips together and these are a total pleasure to do. Day one I think spent 14hrs on our feet and half of this carrying all our camping kit, food and drone kit. Fortunately we set up camp in the morning then headed to film the main part of the Arran ridge. I hadn’t climbed here since I was a student and I’d forgotten how amazing the mountains here are.

We were lucky with the weather after a midgy and damp start it cleared to an amazing day as we walked up. Then the ridge itself was spectacular and we got a great sunset. As in almost all Dana episodes we arrived at our pre set camp on the ridge in the dark with head torches. No minutes of the day wasted without filming lol.

The next day we awoke in the clouds and rain after a blustery night. Then we walked on into another clearing day that was very atmospheric:) Rona next

Kenny at his bivvi site on the ridge:)

The Epic Team:)

AUGUST 2022 - Drone pilot Orkney for more light shows and filming round the islands including North Ronaldsay

This was a fun trip getting to fly a drone on Orkney and North Ronaldsay. We had about a week or more up here to create a few light shows and get a bunch of shots of the islands. North Ronaldsay was a new Island for me with 4.5hrs further north from Orkney where myself and Rupert did the filming of the light shows up there. then Richard Elliot and several hundred volunteers joined us in Orkney at the stone circles for a great light show there! Again great editing and directing from Rupert Shanks.

North Ronaldsay Lighthouse