When Scott Ellis Watson dropped drama in school he could never have guessed he would one day be walking the red carpet as a nominee at the Scottish Baftas.
The now 16-year-old thought acting was out of reach, and gave up the subject to focus on becoming a pilot, but after an acclaimed turn as the young John Davidson in the hit movie I Swear, he was rewarded with another prominent role in the movie adaptation of BBC drama Ghosts.
Scott, from Bishopbriggs in East Dunbartonshire, tells BBC Scotland: “I just never thought that film acting was a career that I could have done, so I never really chased it. I didn’t have that faith in myself.”
I Swear tells the true story of John Davidson, a Galashiels boy who developed severe Tourette’s Syndrome as a teenager and went on to become a vocal campaigner for his illness, winning an MBE in 2019 for his efforts.
It was one of Scotland and the wider UK’s most notable critical and commercial hits of 2025, and the accolades are still coming.
After winning three awards at the national Baftas, it is also up for eight Scottish Baftas.
In fact, all three nominees in the Best Actor category are from the film – including Scott.
Describing himself as “flabbergasted” to be up for the honour, Scott has his kilt ready for the glamorous event in Glasgow on Sunday.