How did a rural Scottish village in East Lothian become the temporary home of one of the world's biggest film stars?
Legendary French movie star Brigitte Bardot, who died on Sunday at age 91, made headlines while on a visit to Scotland nearly six decades ago.
In September 1966, The Herald reported how Bardot filmed Two Weeks in September at Gullane Beach, near North Berwick.
The paper wrote: “The plot of the film is the elopement to Scotland of a French model and her boyfriend. East Lothian was chosen because of its 'open-air' appeal".
After arriving in London, the starlet travelled to the village of Dirleton, 20 miles east of Edinburgh.
Settling in at the Open Arms Hotel, Bardot prepared to begin filming alongside actor Laurent Terzieff at Tantallon Castle.
The Herald reported: “All was sweetness and light. The French film star was delighted at the chintz-and-velvet charm of her room in the old-world hostelry.
“At 2pm, she reappeared dressed for sightseeing. A tight-fitting Shetland sweater in pale fawn, a tartan scarf and gold corduroy slacks fastened by a thick leather belt. She was pulling on a lead, a mournful Basset Hound called ‘Beetroot’.”
After a chauffeured tour of the countryside, Bardot took to the windswept beaches nearby.
“Sunshine was intermittent and a strong wind whipped up a miniature sandstorm and a choppy sea”, The Herald reported.
“Brigitte, shivering in spite of a warm, blue Shetland sweater, plus a cable-stitch cardigan, corduroy slacks, and a tartan scarf, acted the scene [walking along the beach with Terzieff] many times before the director ordered a break.
“While waiting for the shots to be lined up, Laurent Terzieff acted as a windbreak while Brigitte, crouching behind him, rearranged her wind-tousled hair."
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While it appears that Bardot enjoyed her time at the Open Arms, she apparently did not feel the same about Scotland’s national breakfast.
On the Monday before filming, Bardot was photographed at breakfast in the hotel garden, where porridge, rolls, and tea had laid out.
The Herald reported that the film star picked up the plate of porridge and sniffed it, as a puzzled expression spread across her face.
Bardot then pretended to throw the dish at the assembled photographers.
Two Weeks in September, a joint Anglo-French production, was released in 1967 and is considered a box office flop.
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