Dame Judi Dench explains her love for her ‘spiritual home’ Scotland ahead of her Countryfile special
Judi Dench has called Scotland her “spiritual home” after filming in the Scottish countryside for her Countryfile special.
Dame Judi is the guest editor for Sunday night Countryfile on the BBC, where she is joined by Charlotte Smith and Hamza Yassin from the Scottish Highlands.
In a preview of the episode, the actress can be seen talking about her love for the country as she explains, “Actually, I’d say my spiritual home is Scotland simply because I’m just comfortable here.”
A synopsis for the episode reads: ‘Judi Dench joins Charlotte Smith in the grounds of Inveraray Castle to reflect on the impact the countryside has had on her and her family.
She is also joined by her grandson Sam to watch a tartan being made for her with each thread telling a personal story.
Love: Judi Dench has called Scotland her ‘spiritual home’ after filming in the Scottish countryside for her Countryfile special (pictured with Charlotte Smith at Inveraray Castle on Countryfile)
“Adam Henson meets her partner David Mills, who has given up dairy farming to set up the British Wildlife Center on his farm in Surrey, while wildlife filmmaker Hamza Yassin helps her fulfill a lifelong ambition of seeing golden eagles in the wild.”
Judi has a lifelong love of the country and has filmed some of her biggest movies in Scotland.
The 1997 smash hit Mrs Brown, for which the actress won a BAFTA for her performance as Queen Victoria, was filmed at Duns Castle in the Borders region and at the Ardverikie Estate in Badenoch.
Meanwhile, located in the Scottish Highlands, Glencoe served as the setting for some of the most famous scenes in her final appearance in the James Bond film franchise, in 2012’s Skyfall.
In January, Dame Judi delighted guests at an Aberdeenshire hotel when she joined forces with Texan singer Sharleen Spiteri for an impromptu New Year’s Eve performance.
The veteran actress, 88, and the Scottish singer, 55, duet a rendition of Waterloo by ABBA at The Fife Arms in Braemar.
The Hollywood star uses her episode of Countryfile to discuss her love of nature and her particular passion for trees.
Judi has talked about how many of the trees she planted for her deceased famous friends, saying, “I have a lot of famous people in my yard.”
The James Bond actress’ passion for trees started at a young age, when she remembered how she would feel if they were cut down.
She said, “As a child I would get irrationally upset when I saw long trucks with huge trees on them. I can’t explain that. I still don’t like seeing trees being felled.’
Nature lover: Dame Judi is guest editor for Countryfile on Sunday evenings on the BBC, where she is joined by Charlotte Smith and Hamza Yassin from the Scottish Highlands
She also speaks to Countryfile regular Charlotte Smith on a visit to Inveraray Castle, in Argyll, where they discuss her poor eyesight.
When asked how she stays so positive about losing her sight, Judi says, “I don’t have a choice or I’ll just fall over.” But I have great people helping me.’
Judi recently candidly revealed that she can no longer see on movie sets and read scripts.
Judi, who is known for starring in many major films, including the Bond franchise, suffers from advanced macular degeneration.
Countryfile airs Sunday evenings at 7pm on BBC One.