I've never been to Scotland, but if this is how the Scottish typically spend their winter evenings, count me in. On Wednesday, Dec. 9, Outlander's Sam Heughan and Graham McTavish released a yule log video featuring the two actors basking in front of a fire. They read and drink as the fire rages on, and, TBH, it looks like heaven. And, no, I'm not just saying that because they are both rocking kilts... OK, maybe it's a little bit because of the kilts.
The video was released to promote Heughan and McTavish's upcoming travel show, the appropriately titled Men in Kilts. The series tracks their cross-country road trip exploring Scotland and is expected to premiere on Starz in early 2021. For now, fans will just have to be content to sit by the fire with these kilt-clad men. (Were men's knees and calves always this hot? Is this a thing?)
The full-length video lasts about an hour, with most of it just focused on the yule log in the fireplace, crackling along. However, interspersed here and there are clips of Heughan and McTavish interacting. In one shot, McTavish is studies a large map while Heughan reads Clanlands, a book they wrote based on their travels. In another, they drink whisky. It's all very relaxing with just the right amount of holiday cheer. And, if you'd rather watch it live with friends and family, the "Sam & Graham Yule Log" will actually kick off Starz's Christmas Day programing, easing audiences into a false sense of security before diving into a marathon of Outlander Season 5.
Unfortunately, despite what this video — and the literal title of their new show — might want you to think, Heughan and McTavish do not spend all of Men in Kilts in actual kilts. Based on the teaser released in June, they will, unfortunately, occasionally be wearing pants. I will assume that this is for practicality reasons, and therefore let this oversight slide. Still, even without the kilts, the show is a must-watch for Outlander fans.
"I've always been interested in Scotland's history, the clans, and the culture," Heughan told OprahMag.com in 2019 about his motivation or the show. "We have such huge tourism from Outlander. We just wanted to sort of go on that adventure as well." In a separate interview, the actor revealed that working on Outlander had renewed his passion for his home country. "Obviously shooting Outlander, you see all these amazing locations and hear all these stories, and meet these reenactors or historians," he told Parade. "I realized it is such an amazing country... I wanted to share my passion and love of Scotland with everyone."
According to the Outlander heartthrob, he and McTavish didn't always see eye to eye while traveling the countryside. For example, his co-star wasn't thrilled at the idea of riding around in a camper van, especially with Heughan behind the wheel. "I hadn't driven anything that big and I hadn't driven stick in a long time," he admitted in an interview with Parade. "Actually, I think I am a pretty good driver." The teaser also shows the duo traveling via motorcycle and sidecar, as well as a tandem bike, so, hopefully for McTavish, Heughan was better at riding a bike than driving a camper.
Image: Starz