Hollywood star Bill Murray on his love of Scotland ahead of unique Edinburgh concert

FOR millions of people, recalling where they were on Charles and Diana’s wedding in 1981 is indelibly marked in their mind.

Bill Murray is no different, but the location will come as a surprise to many.

“I was in Wick. I have a good friend there and I invited myself to their place that summer, but it turned out to be a working vacation,” explained Bill, who by that point had made his breakthrough with memorable roles in Caddyshack and Stripes.

“We were refurbishing the family home and it was such fun. There were fantastic, huge meals with lots of people around, and then we would do the plumbing or remove the massive front door from its hinges to repaint it.

“We went to a local bonfire and took a break to watch the wedding on TV. It was hypnotic to watch.

“The wedding last month was really beautiful and pretty, too.”

That was the start of his many visits to Scotland and Bill, who went on to become one of Hollywood’s best-loved actors with memorable performances in Ghostbusters, Scrooged, Groundhog Day and Lost In Translation, is back in the country to perform a unique concert with his friend, classical cellist Jan Vogler, tomorrow.

Joined by Jan’s wife, violinist Mira Wang, and pianist Vanessa Perez, the performance includes readings of works by literary greats like Twain and Hemingway and even a performance of The Bonnie Banks O’ Loch Lomond.

“The audience in Edinburgh very well might know the words,” smiled 67-year-old Bill.

“I contacted Kris Linklater, my voice teacher friend in Orkney, and told her I was thinking about doing the song and she told me what I needed to do. She’s a great teacher and it’s such a beautiful song.

“If you could stop dogs from barking, it would be through this song.”

Although a frequent visitor to Scotland, Bill says his roots aren’t to be found here.

“I’ve been told I’m an Irish Murray, you guys don’t want any part of me,” he laughed.

Jan, as the Royal Scottish National Orchestra’s artist in residence for 2017/18, is no stranger to Scotland either.

The pair met on a trip from Berlin, where Jan was playing and Bill was shooting a film, to their homes in New York.

“We met at security and he asked me about the big box I was carrying – it was my cello,” explained Jan.

“We ended up sitting across from each other and the cello was sitting next to me in a window seat in first class. Bill was surprised to see it and we talked some more and became good friends.

“But it was only after two years that we began talking about doing this show.”

Having played in Iceland on Thursday and Friday, they’re spending the time before their Edinburgh gig tomorrow sightseeing.

“We’re going to appear from the north and do what the Vikings did – come down pillaging,” Bill laughed.

“I think Edinburgh is a beautiful town and the National War Memorial is one of the most gorgeous buildings I’ve been in, rivalling anything in Florence.

“We’ve been getting to play all of these stunning halls around the world. We were shown a picture of the Festival Theatre in Edinburgh and said, ‘Get a load of this’.

“There was no plan to do this tour, the movie work is still there, but this almost feels like a vacation.

“We are seeing so many places and meeting so many people, we feel like we are really living life and feeling something.”

For Bill, that’s what it’s all about.

He famously doesn’t have an agent or a publicist, instead utilising a 1-800 number that he occasionally checks to see if anyone has offered him a movie.

He also mingles with the public in a way unlike any other major movie star, often randomly showing up in the oddest places – such as a student house party in St Andrews in 2006, where he ended up washing dishes.

But doesn’t he get bothered by people approaching him in these situations?

“Bother is such a wrong word to use – it’s not a bother to talk to people.

“Life is too hard to live alone, so we need to have people in our lives.

“If you don’t try to balance your life, not just your work and relaxation but the goofy celebrity life with the folky street life, then you are going to have trouble.”

Bill Murray, Jan Vogler & Friends: New Worlds; Festival Theatre, Edinburgh, June 18; Tickets at livenation.co.uk