Since the dawn of the ‘talkies’, the Scottish accent has been through the mangle; battered to a pulp by an untold number of aspiring actors – and even established actors who should’ve known better.
Film stars will tell you that the Caledonian brogue is one of the most difficult to master, which goes some to explaining the high number of clangers on show for the whole world – and especially us Scots – to cringe at.
That said, there are a few honourable exceptions to the rule and many talented actors have succeeded in pinning down the essence of Scotland in their vocal performances.
We take a look at 6 of the best and 6 of the worst Scottish accents captured on film.
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1. Good: Jonny Lee Miller in Trainspotting
When the original Trainspotting was released back in 1996 many Scottish film-goers were surprised to learn one of the lead characters was played by a young English actor. Reprised for T2: Trainspotting, Jonny Lee Miller's almost flawless Edinburgh brogue as 'Sick Boy' Simon Williamson is easily one of the best efforts going. 10/10. Photo: John Devlin
2. Bad: Robert Duvall in A Shot At Glory
Robert Duvall's turn as Gordon McLeod, the manager of fictional Scottish football club Kilnockie FC, in 2000's A Shot At Glory was not exactly a cup-winning performance. Widely ridiculed, the movie legend's Scots accent was not a career highlight and belongs to the lower leagues. Photo: ALLAN MILLIGAN
3. Good: Emma Thompson in Brave
Emma Thompson produced a thoroughly convincing Scottish accent as Queen Elinor in Disney Pixar's Brave, in part perhaps due to the fact her mother, actress Phyllida Law, is from Glasgow. Thompson's fine Scottish accent in The Legend of Barney Thomson is also worth a mention. Photo: Contributed
4. Bad: Jude Law in Black Sea
So savage was the criticism of Jude Law's attempt at an Aberdeen accent as Captain Robinson in thriller Black Sea, the actor felt the need to apologise after the movie's release. Photo: Black Sea