Doctor Who's double Inverness connection

A FORMER Inverness photographer has put himself firmly in the who’s who for Doctor Who buffs around the world.

Douglas Mackinnon is the only director to have worked with the three most recent Time Lords from the enduring British sci-fi blockbuster TV series.

He has told the Highland News this week how he used a double Inverness connection to send the Doctor’s former on-screen assistant into uncontrollable fits of giggles on set.

Douglas, who began as a press photographer at the age of 19 in the Highland capital and had pictures published in the Highland News, said being involved in Doctor Who had been a pleasure.

He added: “I’ve been lucky enough to work with some of the best people in the industry. I’m particularly proud of my contribution to Doctor Who. I was always a sci-fi fan, Star Trek and the like when I was growing up but Doctor Who was always a favourite.”

The Highland capital connection was strong when Douglas worked alongside one of the show’s co-stars, Inverness lass Karen Gillan, who appeared between 2010 and 2012 as Amy Pond.

He added: “I worked with Karen and we had a great laugh. In fact all I had to do to make her laugh was mention a street name in Inverness.

“There’s something about shouting ‘Tomnahurich Street!’, while standing in the Tardis that is very satisfying.”

Douglas, who was born in Uig in Skye and was brought up in Portree, said: “I’ve now directed seven episodes of Doctor Who and am the only director to have worked with David Tennant, Matt Smith and Peter Capaldi.

“It’s a treat. The people are the best and lovely with it. And you get to tell stories on a Saturday night to a large chuck of the world – 70 million people round the world watched the first transmission of the new episodes.”

He said he still had fond memories of his time in Inverness.

He added: “I was in Inverness for a couple of years and enjoyed it very much. I got a job through the Youth Opportunity Project. I had quite a few photographs published in the Highland News in my early career.”

Douglas said he had initially been interested in Gaelic TV.

He said: “TV found me after I went to the National Film School in Buckinghamshire. John McGrath of 7:84 fame paid for me to move back to Scotland to try and set up a Gaelic TV production company – we were a little early! I then started working for BBC Scotland in the Gaelic department and Music and Arts. But I’d always loved TV, and still do.”

Douglas, who has also directed British police drama Line of Duty, particularly enjoyed working with fellow Scot Peter Capaldi as the latest Doctor on the long-running cult TV show.

He added: “Peter is great fun and we have a very Scottish relationship – no quarter given!”

He said currently he’s got quite a lot on the horizon workwise. “I can’t talk about what I’m doing next but I can’t wait to get started. I also hope to do a major project in the Highlands within the next few years.”

He also offered some words of wisdom for budding directors.

He said: “Start directing as soon as you can. Make things, don’t talk about making things!”

l The third episode of this year’s series of Doctor Who which Douglas has directed, Flatline, is broadcast on BBC1 at 8.25pm on Saturday.

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