Alan Cumming is giving the V&A Dundee’s tartan Hillman competition for most Scottish ‘imp’ today as he visits the riverside museum.
The award-winning actor and humanitarian, known for his cheeky, sprite-like charisma, is in town to talk all things tartan with V&A South Kensington curator Simon Sladen as part of the current Tartan exhibition.
Recognised for his signature tartan suits both on and off-screen, the performer says ahead of the event that he “loves” wearing Scotland’s national fabric – a view shared by his fellow screen star and Tartan Ambassador, Outlander’s Graham McTavish.
“I feel very Scottish in it,” explains Cumming, 58, who lives in upstate New York but hails from a country estate near Carnoustie.
“It places me, in a way, when I wear it. But also I really feel the history of it – it’s a rebellious thing, it’s a punk thing, but it’s also a traditional thing.”
Traitors suits ‘were mostly mine’ says Cumming
The exhibition itself features a portrait of Cumming with a kilt around his neck by painter Christian Hook – the same blue-and-grey kilt he wears to give his talk.
“This tartan [that I’m wearing] is actually the Yes campaign for independence official tartan from the 2014 referendum,” he reveals, and details how keen-eyed viewers can spot a story in the portrait.
“When I was sitting for the painting, the painter asked me how I was feeling,” he says.
“My dog had just died and the referendum had happened, and I was very much supporting independence. So he put both of those things in the picture too. She was called Honey, so there’s a jar that says Honey and round the rim of it, it says ‘Yes Yes Yes’.
“I like the way he’s placed these little Easter eggs into the picture.”
The sight of Cumming in tartan is nothing new for fans, as his wardrobe famously features the plaid stuff, from his red carpet looks to his presenting gig on hit BBC1 show The Traitors.
“In The Traitors, I had tons of tartan suits – most of which were mine, actually!” he laughs.
Teasing the hotly-anticipated second season, he adds: “I don’t know where we’re going to go for the second series, we’re going to have to up the game! I’ll have to wear tartan ballgowns!”
Cumming ‘completely disagrees’ with Joanna Cherry
Although he’s not afraid to have fun and be silly – Time magazine recently called him one of the three most fun celebrities, along with Cher and Stanley Tucci – outspoken trans rights advocate Cumming isn’t afraid to weigh in on serious debates in his home country.
Discussing the recent controversy surrounding the cancellation of an event hosted by MP Joanna Cherry at The Stand in Edinburgh due to her gender critical beliefs, Cumming states: “I totally disagree with Joanna Cherry in terms of the idea that trans people having rights takes away rights from women.
“But,” he adds, “I completely agree with her in that she should not be censored from being able to speak her mind.”
Alan Cumming’s best and brightest tartan looks
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