Gillian Anderson’s links to ‘fantastic Scotland’ as she gushes over country

Gillian Anderson has reportedly had a lifelong love affair with Scotland – boasting Scottish roots as her grandfather was a Scot.

The X-Files star was born in Chigaco, Illinois and grew up in London, but has visited Scotland various times and always made a point of gushing over the country.

The star first visited Scotland as a child, but in the 90s returned, taking a trip to Glasgow to officially open a charity shop with a cause very close to her heart.

She visited Mount Florida in the city’s southside in 1999, where she ‘cut the ribbon’ to help celebrate the launch of the Neurofibromatosis

The Hollywood star was in Glasgow at the time, as she filmed period drama The House Of Mirth in locations around the area, including Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum.

It was her way of giving a helping hand to sufferers of the genetic disease that causes tumours to form throughout the body, also known as NF.

Heartbreakingly, the Hannibal icon’s brother Aaron suffered from NF and he died of a brain tumour in 2011.

During the visit, The Scoop star was quoted in the Sunday Mail as saying: “Glasgow is a fantastic place. Unfortunately I’ve seen so little of the city because of the hours I’ve been working”.

She later returned to Scotland for the world premiere of her movie, House of Mirth, at Edinburgh’s Film Festival, which was shot in Glasgow.

At the time, the now 55-year-old claimed working in the city was better than starring in the cult television show – which subsequently made her a household name.

In an interview, she spoke about making the film in Scotland, she said: “This role was so far away from my work in The X Files.

“I loved being in Scotland, although I didn’t see much of it as I was working so hard on the film.”

She also praised the hospitality of the people, adding: “But I had a lovely place in the West End of Glasgow and everyone I met was so nice. And, no, I didn’t try and find Nessie.”

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