Helicopters, high winds and midges were some of the challenges for the production team

Single malt Scotch whisky Glenmorangie’s recently-launched Once Upon a Time in Scotland campaign filmed in several locations in the Scottish Highlands, starring Harrison Ford and directed by actor/filmmaker Joel Edgerton.

The global campaign subverts traditional whisky stereotypes with the series of episodic, humorous films, exploring Ford’s increasingly foiled attempts to head to Scotland to sit by the fire in a Scottish castle and drink ‘scotch.’

LS Productions worked in partnership with production company Hungry Man and production agency Bandits to deliver production service for the shoot, that was filmed entirely in Scotland.

Physical production

Production took place in the north-east Highlands of Scotland over just three days in late August last year: at Ardross Castle in Alness (where The Traitors UK and US is filmed); at the Glenmorangie distillery in Tain, Ross-shire and in the dramatic landscapes around Loch Glass.

Among the key production co-ordination elements delivered by LS were: helicopter co-ordination to the scene on the hill (BTS film here https://www.instagram.com/lachlanbailey/reel/DFipAiitrws/) ; drone shots of the Jaguar E-Type; remote locations and Ford being helicoptered.

Shot on a Alexa 35 camera with Steadicam, the shoot required the co-ordination and execution of a number of logistically complex shots, the most challenging being the stills and footage that required the transportation of Ford and crew to the side of a remote Scottish mountain.

LS worked closely with the helicopter team to ensure the timely setup of everything required to get the shots and the safe arrival of one of the world’s most famous faces, before the midges set in.

A 2nd unit was also involved to capture the drone shots of the classic black Jaguar E-Type, which Ford can be seen driving in Episode 2 from the distillery to his accommodation, alongside the co-ordination of all other driving shots, B-Roll and the BTS footage of the shoot.

The cohort for the shoot comprised around 90 local crew, plus 23 visiting team and 8 client and agency. It was all shot on Alexa 35 camera with Steadicam.

A-listers’ enthusiasm

Director Edgerton said: “I’ve spent my whole life watching commercials that follow an expected format and so I really like it when things are a little disruptive, fun, and irreverent.

“It was nice that we got a chance within the very traditional industry of whisky to get behind the scenes, to subvert the seriousness that often goes into an advertising campaign and have fun with that. I hope that people get to see the short film and the full-length episodes – and enjoy them and share them around.”

Ford added: “I loved working with the team at the Distillery — they were all great. The whole process of filming was full of unanticipated joys: little unexpected moments.

“It’s a tribute to Glenmorangie’s sensibilities that they let us be less than totally serious. I think what Joel has produced has a certain charm to it, because it’s unpretentious and just amusing.”

Edgerton’s 12 episodes and hero film are accompanied in the campaign by still images shot by fashion photographer Lachlan Bailey, and feature Ford donning a Scottish kilt designed by streetwear brand Palace.

Helicopters, high winds and midges

Photographer Bailey said on Instagram: ‘Justin [O’Shea, creative director] had this idea of Harrison standing on a mountain, which sounded epic—but due to scheduling and logistics, we had just 30 minutes to shoot what was arguably the most important image of the campaign.

“A helicopter was required to get me and my team up there, and Harrison would arrive 10 minutes later. I was warned: if it was too windy, we’d have to cancel; if there was no wind, we’d be covered in midges.”

Credits:
Client: Glenmorangie
Talent: Harrison Ford
Director: Joel Edgerton
Creative director: Justin O’Shea
Photographer: Lachlan Bailey
HF stylist: Christine Centenera
DoP: Adolpho Veloso
Production agency: Bandits
Agency executive producer: Helen Gardiner
Production co-ordinators: Heloise Brilland, Marie Marsan
Production company: Hungry Man
Managing director: Matt Buels
Producer: Gareth Francis
Production manager: Jacqui Pringle
1st AD: Sam Dawking
2nd AD: Chris Riley
Script supervisor: Angela Godfrey
2nd unit DoP: Jamie Quantrill
Production designer: Arthur De Borman
Wardrobe/director’s assistant: Olivia Kozlowski
Wardrobe assistants: Harriet Crawford, Miguel Urbina Tan
Groomer for Harrison Ford: Jillian Halouska
Production partner (Scotland): LS Productions
Director of sales & marketing: Karen Andre
Head of production: Abi Atkinson-Caruana
Senior producer: Deva Smith
Production manager: Sam Barber
Production co-ordinator: Bert Dijkstra
Production assistants: Allan Macleod, Oliver Winkler, Jonathan Coleshill
Post-production: Bandits Post-Production
Post-producer: Denis Brunier
Location manager: Ashton Radcliffe
Assistant location manager: Lauren Clarke
Location assistant: Sam Wagster

Once Upon a Time in Scotland rolled out globally from 28 January 2025 spanning online video, connected TV, out-of-home formats, experiential, PR and social media.

Six full-length episodes and behind-the-scenes content will initially be available to view on glenmorangie.com, with the rest released throughout 2025.