Born in Glasgow, Scotland, he is a versatile actor known for his robust stage presence and commanding performances in film and television. His career spans decades with roles in popular series such as "Outlander," where he played Dougal MacKenzie, and "The Hobbit" trilogy as Dwalin. He has also lent his voice to video games like "Call of Duty" and "Uncharted." Apart from acting, he co-authored "Clanlands" with Sam Heughan, exploring Scottish heritage and landscapes.