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Miriam and Alan: Lost in Scotland

Miriam Margolyes and Alan Cumming roll back the decades and return to their Scottish roots. Part rediscovery, part revelation, they follow them as they take to the road and motorhome their w... Read all Miriam Margolyes and Alan Cumming roll back the decades and return to their Scottish roots. Part rediscovery, part revelation, they follow them as they take to the road and motorhome their way through Scotland's Highlands. Miriam Margolyes and Alan Cumming roll back the decades and return to their Scottish roots. Part rediscovery, part revelation, they follow them as they take to the road and motorhome their way through Scotland's Highlands.

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Interview with Miriam Margolyes and Alan Cumming for Miriam and Alan: Lost in Scotland

Miriam and Alan: Lost in Scotland starts on Tuesday 16th November at 9.15pm 

Hollywood actors Miriam Margolyes and Alan Cumming roll back the decades and return to their Scottish roots. Part rediscovery, part revelation and always a total riot, cameras follows the duo as they take to the high road to motorhome through Scotland’s Highlands and into its wildest places.

The adventure begins in their once mutual home of Glasgow where they stop-off at the street where Miriam’s Jewish family laid down their roots in Scotland, before heading north on a journey that takes them along the west and east coasts.

As the pair show each other their beloved Scotland with Alan at the wheel and Miriam the constant backseat driver, this raucous campervan odyssey documents a charming friendship and is packed full of laughter, personal confession and wisdom. Over three episodes, they encounter a fascinating cast of characters, take trips down memory lane and relive painful memories.

We also see the duo tick off one of Miriam’s bucket list items by racing up Glencoe. Alan tries to stomach Miriam’s daily breakfast of raw onion while Miriam attempts to concoct a midge repellent so her allergic companion can retire on the west coast. Miriam also tries her (failing) best at being the percussion when Alan ropes her in to recording a Gaelic song.

The following feature is available free for reproduction in full or in part.

First things first, how and when did the two of you meet?

Alan – Well we can’t quite remember exactly! It must have been in the early nineties because I shot this film with Ian Holm about FR Leavis (The Last Romantics) and that was who Miriam was taught by at Cambridge. At some point around that time, I was with Ian and we chatted to you about FR Leavis so that was probably the first time, but we’ve met a lot over the years at various backstage things.

Miriam – The most recent time of course was on The Graham Norton Show and it was just lovely to see him again. Very thrilling!

Alan – We’re sort of like showbiz friends who meet over the years at various things and can’t quite place it. I shot that film in 1991 so it’s been a long time ago!

Why did you want to do the show together?

Miriam - Well I think it was because we got on so well on The Graham Norton Show. It must have been Alan’s idea because I never would have dreamed of such an impertinent suggestion!

Alan – I’d been talking to Blink Films (the production company behind the series) about doing something about Scotland. They suggested perhaps I did it with someone else, so I suggested Miriam as I thought we’d make a good oddball couple! And then they had the idea of the van and it all went from there.

Miriam, how was Alan’s driving?

A great deal better than mine I would say! He’s a very good driver and what’s terrific is that he can talk and drive at the same time. He is an international celebrity you know, so he knows how to do it!

Alan, how did you find Miriam as a backseat driver?

There were little outbursts sometimes but what I liked is when she fell asleep! I mean, what I liked is that she trusted me enough to fall asleep when I was driving. I think that’s quite a compliment.

Miriam – Yes it is. Sometimes I would find myself saying ‘you’re very near the edge!’ or just ‘ooohhhh!’  

Alan – New York has been your home for over 20 years but how frequently do you get back to Scotland? And how do you feel when you get there?

I try and get back a few times a year. I was there in August and October so quite a lot. As I get older, and it’s been interesting since we did the show, I feel much more drawn to it. You always have - wherever you’re from, this sort of tremendous pull, and specifically being Scottish, there’s this very primal thing that makes you always miss home, miss the history and spirit of it. I think doing this show made it even stronger.

Miriam – Yes, I felt you were very emotionally connected to Scotland and that is not going to change – it will only increase I think.

The Aliam tartan is absolutely incredible and Miriam, you looked blown away by the surprise. Has it made it home yet and do you know how it’s selling?

Oh you bet it has! It’s in my bedroom and I don’t bring it out often. I haven’t been at home much as I’ve been working in Wales. I thought about bringing it with me, but I’m so frightened I might lose it, or somebody might steal it so it’s staying at home at the moment. It is wonderful, it’s the most wonderful present I think I’ve ever had. I love it and I love Alan for having the thought to do it.

Alan – I don’t think it’s for sale yet – they’ve just got the things they made for us, but they could do it. The lovely girl at Prickly Thistle said if we wanted to do something for charity then she could help.

Miriam – I’m in touch with them and I’ve said I’ll do whatever they need. I’d like to help them as I thought it was such a wonderful place to be.

You did so many incredible things during the trip – was there a highlight?

Alan – Gosh, Sophie’s Choice!

Miriam – Well, I mean they were all highlights, it’s very invidious to pick out one. I was very moved by coming back to where Alan lived. I hadn’t known about the history of his life and I met his mother who talked to me about it all and that I found incredibly moving. Things like the haggis too – going into a real shop and making a real haggis! That’s something I never thought I’d ever do in my life.

Alan – And discovering you’ve missed all these years of haggis consumption due to a misconception?

Miriam – Yes! That’s true. I thought it was pork and it’s not so that was a nice surprise. Singing the song with Griogair Labruidh, that was very special. Alan really sang so beautifully; I didn’t realise that he had such a lyrical voice and it was wonderful. I just clapped along with bits of wood. I did my bit, did what I can do! We really met some great people along the way.

Anything you wouldn’t care to repeat again?

Miriam – I can’t really think of anything but I’m probably not going to bother go golfing again.

Alan – No! Even when we were in the rain, it was such fun. Every day was something hilarious and new.

Alan – you’ve talked about wanting to find somewhere to retire in Scotland. No spoilers but did anywhere tickle your fancy?

Well I have to say Miriam Margolyes wove her magic and I’m now looking in the Cairngorms area. I used to be very much a West coast person but through travel, I’ve now learned my obsession with the West was some sort of anti where I grew up, pushing away from that. But the Cairngorms is quite near where I grew up and I think it’s a better spot for me. I can get what I need – solitude, a loch, no midges and dramatic scenery. That was very much Miriam’s influence.

You’re both well known for being incredibly open and honest about things that have happened in your past and there are moments in the show that are hard to watch. Was there a therapeutic element to the trip?

Alan – Oh the whole thing was therapeutic for me.

Miriam – I just had a lovely time! (Alan – me too.) How could that not be therapeutic? I was at ease, I was joyous, and I was with an intelligent, searching kind of person. Alan is not just a surface person, he’s a considerable person and I felt I was travelling with a considerable person. He was wonderful, I loved it and I must stress this, he was incredibly kind. I’m slow, I don’t move well, I can’t climb up stairs and he was always there to help me, pass me my stick, make sure I got to the ground without falling – really kind and that’s something I value.

How was it recording the Gaelic song with Griogair? Could you see him performing at Club Cumming anytime soon, Alan?

I have actually been talking to him because in April, there’s a Scotland week in New York – a Scotland march on Fifth Avenue and a whole week of events so I think he’s definitely going to come to Club Cumming. He’s sent me his album and he wants me to do some speaking on top of another track about the independence referendum. I really like him – what a lovely boy.

Did you learn anything from each other? Anything surprising that you might not have known?

Alan – A lot! Especially when spending that much time together in such a concentrated way, being in the van together and constantly bubbled. I learnt a lot about Miriam’s life and amazing things about her family. Tons about her! Some of which I can’t mention here… I feel like it was a crash course in Miriam, a really great way to sort of fast forward an intense friendship. It didn’t feel like you were working a lot of the time, it just felt like you were in interesting places.

Miriam – I felt like I was on holiday with a glorious companion. It was delightful and I would do it again in a shot. We could go anywhere you’d like. Let’s go somewhere we don’t know – let’s go to Tallinn or somewhere like Kentucky!

You both have books out at the moment (Miriam’s is This Much Is True, and Alan’s is Baggage: Tales from a Packed Life) – did you read excerpts to each other before bedtime?

Miriam – We talked stories; I don’t think we read stories. Oh no, that’s not true. Alan did read me some poems which I liked very much (Alan – I get this thing called Poem a Day) and I did a couple that I remembered in my head. It was an opening of minds and that was really special.  

And the final question, bar each other, who would be your fantasy road trip companions?

Alan – The bar is very high after Miriam! They need to be interesting and curious people. With the show I’ve been doing – Alan Cumming is Not Acting His Age – I’ve realised not acting your age is about being curious, open, wanting to still learn, meet different people and not staying in your lane. Miriam is completely like that and that was what was so fun – to be with someone with that energy of curiosity, wonder and sass. 

Miriam – I’m not usually interested in being with other celebrities – I like discovering people and in a sense, I was discovering Alan for myself and that was very special.

Alan – The reason we both did this is because we’re famous but actually I think we’re odd famous people.

Miriam – It’s the least interesting thing about us, that we’re famous.

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Miriam Margolyes and Alan Cumming return with 'Lost in Scotland and Beyond'

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Miriam Margolyes and Alan Cumming are heading back out on the road for a new travel series — this time swapping Scotland for California.

Picking up from the success of their series Lost in Scotland that saw the actors explore their Scottish roots by travelling around in a campervan, the new Channel 4 series Miriam & Alan: Lost in Scotland and Beyond will feature them in their other mutual home, the US West Coast.

Read more: Harry Potter star Miriam Margolyes calls abuse aimed at JK Rowling over trans debate 'misplaced'

The series begins with them back in Scotland meeting a range of fascinating characters once again, before they swap their campervan for a supersized RV and head for the stunning California coastline to reconnect with people and places from their early years making a career in Hollywood.

Margolyes will show Cumming the apartment on Ocean Avenue that she lived in for 16 years, as well as seeking out her old synagogue, while Cumming introduces her to his old friends and favourite haunts on the coastline between Los Angeles and San Francisco.

Cumming said: “I can’t wait to get the show on the road again! Driving round my homeland with a potty mouthed octogenarian was one of the most joyous months I’ve ever had, and I’m so glad that joy translated on to the screen.

Read more: David Baddiel and Louis Theroux to explore anti-Semitism in Channel 4 documentary

"So to do it again and to explore California as well seems almost too much of a carry on!”

Margolyes added: "I thought I'd experienced almost everything, but being driven around Scotland with Mr Cumming was such a delightful new pleasure I can't wait to repeat it.

"He is funny, kind and wise — and together we laughed and marvelled and remembered. It will be a joy to get going again; I hope I've got some surprises left to tickle his fancy."

The pair are set to share more laughs and outrageous moments living in close quarters as they relive past memories in special places from their lives.

An air date is yet to be announced for Miriam & Alan: Lost in Scotland and Beyond .

Watch: Phil and Holly crack up as Miriam Margolyes breaks wind

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TV tonight: Miriam Margolyes and Alan Cumming’s cheeky carry on around Scotland

A campervan journey around Scotland with TV’s new golden odd couple. Plus, the citizens assembly on climate. Here’s what to watch this evening

Miriam and Alan: Lost in Scotland

9.15pm, channel 4.

“Gird your loins, Miriam … ” We’re off on a three-part campervan adventure around Scotland with TV’s new golden odd couple, Miriam Margolyes and Alan Cumming. Retracing their childhoods, the pair reveal their guarded vulnerable sides – one scene where Cumming recalls his troubled relationship with his father leaves his companion in tears. But these two can’t go too long without tickling an audience: Margolyes soon shares an anecdote about her knickers “falling off” moments before her driving test. It’s a cheeky carry on, warmed up with tender storytelling and wholesome tasks such as making tartan (but they do manage to crack a joke about vibrators in the factory). Hollie Richardson

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The Great British Bake Off

8pm, channel 4.

It’s the semi-final, but who is going to flake out of patisserie week? To make it into the final three, bakers must excel at delivering a delicate layered slice signature, a regional French classic technical, and an entremets display showstopper. HR

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• Miriam Margolyes
• Alan Cumming

Most viewed

Miriam and Alan: Lost in Scotland and Beyond

Miriam Margolyes and Alan Cumming take a trip down memory lane in Glasgow and Carnoustie and find out if Alan is related to Cawdor aristocrats.

Miriam Margolyes and Alan Cumming visit Ullapool and Glencoe on their love letter tour of Scotland, and fulfil Alan's dream of writing and performing a song in Gaelic.

Miriam Margolyes and Alan Cumming finish their Scottish odyssey driving from Inverness to Edinburgh, and enjoy some vegan white pudding, 'Zen golf' and dressing up along the way.

Miriam and Alan are back rip-roaring across Scotland... and beyond! They ride the Harry Potter Express steam train and head to the glorious Cairngorms, before Alan conducts an LGBTQ+ wedding.

Miriam and Alan head to the Isle of Skye for a magical boat trip and some wand whittling, before visiting a Jewish, LGBTQ+, vegan, anarchist café in Glasgow.

Miriam and Alan visit a Santa Barbara 'drugs den'. In Palm Springs, they enjoy drag bingo and join a gay knitting group. Then, it's on to LA.

Cast & Crew

Miriam Margolyes

Alan Cumming

Martin Dance

Laura Jones

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The Travel Diaries

Miriam margolyes.

Today, I’m joined by a legend of stage and screen. Britain’s naughtiest national treasure. It’s the award-winning actress, Miriam Margolyes.

Miriam’s movie roles have included the BAFTA award-winning Mrs Mingott in Martin Scorsese’s ‘The Age of Innocence’ and of course Professor Sprout in the Harry Potter films. She’s appeared in a host of hugely popular TV shows from Blackadder and Miss Marple to more recently the Real Exotic Marigold Hotel and Call the Midwife. And she’s also a prolific travel documentarian filming in and around Australia, the US and Scotland to name a few. As a lifelong lover of Charles Dickens, she presented the successful BBC documentary series Dickens’ America and toured the world with her acclaimed one woman show ‘Dicken’s Women’ in which she played 23 characters based on or inspired by characters in Dickens’s novels. 

Speaking to me from her Australian home, Miriam was so engaging and generous with her time both before, after and during the interview - so grab a cuppa, settle in and enjoy listening to the very widely travelled and very entertaining Miriam Margolyes. 

Destination Recap:

• Robertson, NSW, Australia
• Tuscany, Italy
• Kingsgate, Kent Coast, England
• St Margaret’s Bay, Kent, England
• Glasgow, Scotland
• Isle of Harris, Scotland
• Cambridge, England 
• Norfolk, England
• Basel, Switzerland
• Zurich, Switzerland 
• Lindt Chocolate Shop, Zurich, Switzerland 
• The Rust Belt, USA
• Kerala, India
• Calcutta, India 
• Giglio, Italy
• Fordyce, Scotland 
• Rimini, Italy

Miriam is heading to a British theatre near you next month, as part of her upcoming book tour, in honour of the paperback release of her fantastic memoir, This Much is True. Head online for tickets.

With thanks to…

Small Luxury Hotels of the World - Ease yourself into a holiday headspace and visit  slh.com/travelcomfortzones  to find out more.

DK Eyewitness - Get new editions of DK’s award-winning Eyewitness and Top 10 travel books and plan out adventures to the likes of Italy, Mexico, Spain or Costa Rica. Each guide is complete with updated listings, interest-led travel advice and the latest practical information. Find them all online or at your local bookshop.

Thank you so much for listening today. If you’re enjoying the podcast, then it would be wonderful if you could leave a rating or a review on your podcast app - it really makes a big difference because it helps other people to discover the podcast. 

And to hear future episodes as soon as they’re released don’t forget to hit subscribe or “follow” on your podcast app of choice.

To find out who’s joining me coming up, come and follow me on Instagram, I’m @hollyrubenstein - I’d love to hear from you. 

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Miriam’s Big American Adventure

Fresh from The Real Marigold on Tour, Miriam Margolyes embarks on a road trip through middle America

Fresh from The Real Marigold on Tour, actress Miriam Margolyes embarks on a road trip through middle America. It’s not merely a celebration of all things USA, though.

Starting in Chicago, Miriam’s introduced to former Playboy Bunny Candace Jordan, who takes her to a glittering social event. But, eager to witness the side of the city that exists away from high society, Miriam then visits its most dangerous project to meet a former gang member.

Later, she visits Indianapolis for a mass citizenship ceremony, asking why people from other countries still want to become Americans in an era of political volatility.

This programme airs in Scotland at 10.45pm.

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Almost Australian, Miriam Margolyes: A Travel Documentary Series

Thetraveljunkie.org – A revealing documentary series; following new Australian citizen and celebrated film and television star Miriam Margolyes as she embarks on an epic two-month journey across the nation to discover what it means to be Australian today.

SERIES 1 Episode 1 – The Australian Dream

Starting in Bondi, Miriam reflects that it was much easier to climb the property ladder here 40 years ago. She meets real estate agent Monika Tu, who takes her to see one of the grand homes she’s selling and reveals the prosperous migrant market.

However, heading west, Miriam discovers fellow Australians who believe in an Australian Dream that’s built on freedom without a mortgage. But Miriam’s disturbed to discover that there is a growing number of women in Australia who can’t afford a home in retirement – and who now make up the fastest growing number of homeless in the country.

With most of eastern Australia in the grip of the worst drought since Federation, Miriam heads to the country town of Trundle to see the reality for herself. Here she meets fourth-generation farmers who have been forced to shoot some of their starving animals. Miriam gains a searing understanding of what it takes to hold onto the Australian Dream in the face of unrelenting adversity.

In Melbourne, Miriam meets Lidia Thorpe, a leading Indigenous activist. Lidia’s perspectives leave Miriam with pressing questions about the value of the Australian Dream. However, Miriam re-discovers the dream in the rural Victorian town of Nhill. Here she meets Tha-Blay Sher, who came to Australia from Burma with her family. Miriam learns that Tha-Blay is one of many Karen refugees who now work and live in Nhill after being stateless in their country of origin. Here, as Miriam discovers, is ‘the Australian Dream in action’.

SERIES 1 Episode 2 – Mateship

Miriam’s first stop is a roadhouse south of Alice Springs, where she meets Spud and his mates. She discovers she has a lot to learn about the concept that she considers very masculine. Spud introduces her to Heather, one of the few women truckers in Australia. Female truckers only make up two per cent of the trucking industry, but Heather assures Miriam she feels she is surrounded by ‘good mates’.

Miriam visits the Country Women’s Association to meet some of Alice Springs’ Aboriginal residents and experience their community initiatives. She also meets Aboriginal elders, who set up the Children’s Ground to pass Arrernte traditions, songs, dances and stories on to the younger generation. Miriam worries that despite Australia’s ideals of mateship, the country still hasn’t found a way to bridge the deep divide that exists between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal citizens.

Arriving in Darwin, Miriam encounters a group of transgender Tiwi islanders, who invite Miriam to a drag night that evening. Miriam discovers a community that is more diverse and inclusive than she could ever have imagined. Miriam muses that, for them, mateship is a very ‘evolved state of affection’.

On her last day in Darwin, Miriam is invited to attend a game of Aussie rules. Despite her hesitations, she is soon caught up in the spirit of the game. AFL, Miriam observes, unites Australians of all backgrounds, heritage and colour. It is infused with the spirit of mateship.

Miriam’s travels have given her a new appreciation of the value of mateship as something that reflects the ‘essential decency’ of Australians. But Miriam also wonders whether mateship these days could do with a broader definition, something that celebrates how it can connect us all despite our many differences’.

SERIES 1 Episode 3 – The Lucky Country

On the final part of her journey, Miriam visits the Gulf of Carpentaria to see where the wealth of the Lucky Country comes from. At the McArthur River Mine, Miriam is taken aback by the enormity and scale of this operation. Miriam can’t help but wonder what happens when the luck runs out.

In Borroloola, Miriam meets one of the region’s biggest landholders. Frank’s father bet his life savings on a horse race and used his winnings to buy Seven Emu. However, less than a month ago, the entire place was flattened by a cyclone. Miriam discovers that Frank is cynical about Australia being the Lucky Country.

Miriam arrives in suburban Brisbane, where she meets one of the wealthiest couples in Australia. She visits their wildlife research centre, where they are working to save the koala, which is now on the brink of extinction. Miriam meets a koala that is miraculously free of deadly disease, as is her young joey. This could be great news for the future of this iconic Australian species.

The next morning, Miriam joins a group of school strikers protesting climate change outside parliament house. She meets 15-year-old Gina, who asks Miriam to define the term Lucky Country – before offering her own unique perspective that Australia is ‘unlucky’ because ‘as a country, we find change difficult’.

Miriam’s final stop is Burleigh Heads on the Gold Coast. Miriam meets an Aussie family and joins their kids as they take part in Nippers, the regular club surf education program for young Australians. The inclusive nature of the beach and the embrace of the ocean for Australians of all ages is, for Miriam, a true signifier of the Lucky Country.

After eight weeks and 10,000 kilometres, Miriam is finally back home in Robertson. Australia, she muses, has been a lucky country indeed for her. Australia, she says, will always be a little bigger and beyond her imagination. But have her experiences left her feeling that she is now more Australian? Well, yes – almost!.

Watch this documentary online on iview.abc.net.au .

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Oh miriam - live uk tour 1st - 27th july 2024 28th february 2024.

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After the success of her sell-out 2023 tour, Miriam Margolyes returns with more juicy, jaw-dropping stories from her eventful life and career to celebrate the paperback release of her bestselling and much acclaimed book, Oh Miriam! Buckle up for an irrepressible, hilarious and moving evening as Miriam shares some of her favourite anecdotes and divulges never-told-before stories and life lessons. From declaring her love to Vanessa Redgrave to being fed cockroaches by Steve Buscemi, from turnip-based comedy with Blackadder to being farted on by Arnold Schwarzenegger, from Graham Norton's sofa to Alan Cumming's camper van, Miriam’s life has been (and continues to be) an uproarious adventure.

As one of the most recognisable actresses, and now Vogue cover star, Miriam has charmed audiences across TV and film for over sixty years, earning her a special place in our hearts. As Stephen Fry aptly put it, ‘ There is no one on earth quite so wonderful as Miriam Margolyes’. Reliably outrageous and always entertaining, join Miriam in conversation for a riotous evening as full of life and surprises as the actress herself.  

https://www.fane.co.uk/miriam-margolyes