Outlander star Sam Heughan reckons Dumfries and Galloway’s stunning scenery helped inspire him on his acting journey.
And the 44-year-old also believes nature “really helped” get him through tough times in his career.
The actor, who was born in Balmaclellan and spent his early years in Dumfries and Galloway, shared a video on his Instagram account to promote the WWF’s Prescription for Nature campaign.
The video was shot in Dumfries and Galloway and released on World Earth Day.
Sam said: “This is where I was born and raised. I think as a kid, playing in the outdoors, imagining that I’m King Arthur or Robert the Bruce, definitely inspired me to become an actor.
“Using my imagination, being in the outdoors, exploring and losing myself in these amazing woods and mountains of Scotland.
“I love to come to this location because it helps me relax or reflect on the journey that I’ve been on in my life and to slow down a bit and I think we all need that, we all need time to reflect.”
Sam, who attended Glenkens Playgroup and Kells Primary before moving to Edinburgh with his mum in 1991, has played Jamie Fraser in hit US show Outlander for more than a decade.
He has also appeared in River City, The Spy Who Dumped Me and The Couple Next Door.
In the video he said: “I’m very fortunate to work as an actor with some amazing people but there were times where it was really tough. I think nature really helped get me through those harder days. It energises you.
“I think getting outdoors is just really important for all of us to switch off from the busy hectic lifestyle that we all have in the modern world.
“Take time for yourself but also enjoy the incredible nature all around us. Go and get your daily dose of nature.”
Sam – who is set to run this weekend’s London Marathon – also feels nature has played a “key role” his My peak Challenge Fitness and charity programme.
The WWF’s Prescription for Nature campaign encourages people to spend 20 minutes a day connecting with nature to boost their mental wellbeing.