Leading Man
by Savas Abadsidis on 2012-07-05

One of the most mesmerizing, mercurial and maybe the greatest actor of our generation, Alan Cumming is playing all the roles in the National Theatre of Scotland's production of Macbeth, currently running in Glasgow. He took a moment to chat with Escape Republic.

What's your favorite getaway destination?

The west coast of Scotland.

Why?

It is just so beautiful and so remote and so wild. And of course, being a Scot I can also feel my ancestral stirrings! The people are so friendly, and I love how I feel so completely at peace being away from phones and computers when I am there.

What's your favorite way to entertain when you're away?

I tend to try not to see anyone when I am away. My favorite kind of vacation is one in which I am holed up somewhere away from everything. When I am at my house in the Catskills I love to cook for friends though. There's something really satisfying about welcoming people into my home and feeding them and making sure they have a good and relaxing time. I think I might have been an inn-keeper in a former life.

What are your favorite activities?

When I'm in Scotland I would say walking is my favorite thing. I am not into activity holidays, really. I like a good old walk in the rain and then a hearty meal, some whiskey and a sleep in front of the fire. I did have to travel in a kayak to leave the island of Oronsay once though and that was fun. I was setting off on my journey back to NYC and I couldn't believe I was beginning it in a kayak!

What is it about the local culture that you love?

I love the simplicity. People are open to you, they don't judge. I love the commitment it takes to live in a remote place and also the peace that it gives you to disengage with the modern world. And I love the sense of humour. We love a good laugh about death in my homeland.

When Alan is on the move:

I never travel without my jilbab that I got in Morocco. it's great for the pool, the hotel, the souk. And I always take my copy of The Great Gatsby. It's the perfect blend of highbrow and lowbrow.

Photo by Steve Vaccariello