Sir Billy Connolly has told how comedy legend Robin Williams used to terrify guests at his mansion by pretending to be a Scottish wildcat
Sir Billy Connolly has revealed Robin Williams used to terrify guests at his Aberdeenshire mansion by pretending to be a Scottish wildcat.
The Big Yin kept a stuffed wildcat next to the fireplace when he owned Candacraig House in Strathdon.
Late comedy legend Williams was a regular visitor to the house where Connolly and his wife Pamela held lavish parties.
The retired stand-up told how Williams would hide behind the wildcat and make feline aggressive noises to alarm unsuspecting visitors.
Glasgow-born Connolly, 81, who is suffering from Parkinson’s disease, spoke fondly of his friend as he unveiled his latest art collection which includes a drawing of a wildcat.
Robin Williams and Billy Connolly at the Lornach Highland Gathering in 2020
He said: ‘I had a stuffed Scottish wildcat at the fireplace in my house to frighten the person who sat down by the fire.
‘Robin Williams would lift the cat and he would become the cat. He was talking in a Scottish accent and being a wildcat, really getting into character.
‘Somebody would come in, like the guy who had a stretch of the river that he rents out to fishermen.
Candacraig House in Aberdeenshire
Wildcats are found in the north of Scotland
Robin Williams was a huge fan of Scotland and the highland games
‘He said ‘What’s that?’ and Robin became the wildcat and made that noise that cats make.
‘The guy nearly s**t himself. It was an unbelievable moment in life, watching a genius become a wild animal. It was wonderful.’
He added: ‘Robin Williams was one of the world’s wonders.
‘He was the real deal.’
Wildcats are found in the north of Scotland but used to occur throughout Britain. Habitat loss, hunting and persecution led to their decline and they are now on the brink of extinction.
Other drawings in Connolly’s latest collection, sold by art gallery firm Castle Fine Art, include ones inspired by Scottish country dancing and his love of fishing.
He and his wife Pamela Stephenson sold their B-listed baronial home in Aberdeenshire in 2014 for almost £3 million.
They had bought the property from Body Shop founder Anita Roddick in 1998 and during their time there they became familiar faces at the famous Lonach Gathering which takes place each August.
As well as providing a dram for the Men of Lonach during their traditional march through the glen into the park ground, Connolly entertained a host of celebrity friends during the festivities including Williams, Ewan McGregor and Dame Judi Dench.
Oscar winner Williams, who starred in Dead Poets Society and Good Will Hunting, passed away aged 63 in 2014.
