Gordon Buchanan
Gordon Buchanan MBE is a renowned Scottish wildlife filmmaker, presenter, and public speaker, celebrated for his captivating storytelling and unwavering commitment to conservation. With a career spanning over thirty years, Gordon has become a prominent figure in natural history filmmaking, bringing the wonders of the wild to audiences worldwide.
His BBC documentaries include the highly acclaimed Elephant Family And Me, Life in the Snow, Life in Polar Bear Town and Tribes, Predators and Me.
In 2013, Gordon received an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Stirling in recognition of his outstanding services to conservation and wildlife filmmaking. In the same year, he also won the Glenfiddich Spirit of Scotland award in the environment category.
In February 2025, he released his book, In the Hide: How the Natural World Saved My Life – an honest and raw account of a challenging childhood, and the escape and solace he found in the natural world around him.
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More About Gordon Buchanan
Gordon Buchanan was born in West Dunbartonshire, Scotland, and spent much of his childhood on the Isle of Mull – a rugged, wildlife-rich island in the Inner Hebrides. This remote setting was crucial in shaping his deep connection with nature. Surrounded by coastal landscapes and abundant wildlife, Gordon developed an early fascination with the natural world. Like many in his generation, he was deeply inspired by Sir David Attenborough’s documentaries, which lit a spark that would guide his career path. Despite his love for the wild, Gordon’s entry into the world of wildlife filmmaking wasn’t immediate. As a teenager, he took a job at a restaurant on Mull, which would turn out to be a turning point in his life. He met acclaimed wildlife filmmaker Nick Gordon there at just 17 years old. The chance meeting changed everything…
Nick Gordon saw promise in the young Gordon. He offered him the opportunity of a lifetime: to work as an assistant on a documentary project in the jungles of Sierra Leone. Gordon, eager and untrained, jumped at the offer. That experience plunged him into professional wildlife filmmaking in the most immersive way possible—trekking through dense rainforests, assisting with camera work, and learning the intricacies of capturing animals in their natural habitats.
This expedition marked the beginning of what would become a remarkable career. Buchanan quickly proved himself capable, highly intuitive, and resilient in challenging environments. His work with Nick Gordon led to further opportunities to film in Venezuela and Brazil, where he gained invaluable experience working behind the camera in remote, often dangerous conditions.
From Filmmaker to Presenter
This hands-on apprenticeship in the wild served as Gordon’s film school. It taught him the technical skills of wildlife cinematography and the patience, ethics, and empathy required to work closely with nature. These formative years cemented his dedication to wildlife storytelling—a passion driving his later success as a presenter and conservation advocate.
By his early twenties, Gordon Buchanan had built a solid foundation in wildlife cinematography, leading him to take on independent projects across the globe. His talent for capturing intimate, dramatic moments in nature soon caught the attention of major broadcasters, and he began contributing as a cameraman to landmark series such as Big Cat Diary, Planet Earth, and Wildlife on One.
This period marked a transition from behind the camera to becoming a trusted creative voice in the field. His distinctive ability to combine technical excellence with emotional storytelling eventually led to on-screen roles, where his authenticity and calm presence resonated with viewers. It was the start of a remarkable evolution—from a young apprentice in the jungles of West Africa to one of the UK’s most respected wildlife presenters.
A landmark series of intimate wildlife documentaries following animal families in the wild:
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The Bear Family & Me (2011) – Follows a family of wild black bears in Minnesota with bear expert Lynn Rogers.
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The Polar Bear Family & Me (2013) – Tracks a polar bear mother and her cubs in the Arctic.
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The Snow Wolf Family & Me (2014) – Documents Gordon’s journey with a wild wolf pack in remote Canada.
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The Elephant Family & Me (2016) – Explores the lives of African forest elephants in Gabon.
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The Gorilla Family & Me (2016) – A close look at the life of a silverback and his family in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
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The Reindeer Family & Me (2017) – Follows the Sámi people and their relationship with reindeer in Lapland.
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The Grizzly Bear Cubs & Me (2018) – Chronicles efforts to re-wild orphaned grizzly cubs in Russia.
Gordon Buchanan – Other Major Programmes
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Animal Family and Me (2016–2020) – A broader umbrella series compiling many of the “Family & Me” stories.
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Animals with Cameras (2018–2021) – An innovative series using specially designed camera technology worn by animals to reveal their secret lives.
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Life in the Snow (2016) – A festive special exploring how animals survive and thrive in the harshest winter conditions.
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Wild Burma: Nature’s Lost Kingdom (2013) – A rare exploration of the forests of Myanmar.
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Lost Land of the Tiger (2010) – A BBC Natural History Unit expedition in Bhutan to find evidence of tigers in the high Himalayas.
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Lost Land of the Volcano (2009) – Explores remote Papua New Guinea in search of new species.
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The Dark: Nature’s Nighttime World (2012) – Filming elusive nocturnal creatures in South and Central America using low-light technology.
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Big Cat Diary (Cameraman, 1990s–2000s) – A long-running and influential wildlife series filmed in the Masai Mara.
Gordon Buchanan Recent Work
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Cheetah Family & Me (2020) – Follows a mother cheetah and her cubs in the wilds of Kenya.
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Snow Cats & Me (2020) – Works with conservationists in Siberia to prepare captive lynx for life in the wild.
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Leopard Legacy (2021) – A feature-length documentary telling the story of a leopard family in Zambia.
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The Red Squirrel: A Highland Tale (2023) – A deeply personal film about the red squirrels of Scotland.
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Gordon Buchanan’s Tribes, Animals and Me (2016–2018) – Follows Gordon as he lives with remote tribes and explores their relationships with animals and the environment.
Book and Podcast
In 2025, Gordon released his memoir, In the Hide: How the Natural World Saved My Life.
His book offers an intimate exploration of his life, intertwining his personal struggles with his profound connection to nature. It delves into Gordon’s challenging upbringing in Dumbarton and the Isle of Mull, where the natural world became a sanctuary from domestic turmoil.
Critics have praised In the Hide for its heartfelt storytelling and insightful reflections. Alastair Campbell described it as “a terrific book,” highlighting Gordon’s deep humanity and storytelling prowess.
Beyond recounting personal hardships, Gordon shares vivid accounts of his global adventures, from close encounters with polar bears in Svalbard to filming wolves in the Canadian Arctic.
In the Hide not only chronicles Gordon’s life but also serves as a testament to the healing power of nature. His journey from a troubled childhood to becoming a celebrated wildlife filmmaker and presenter illustrates resilience and the transformative impact of the natural world.
Gordon has expanded his storytelling to the podcasting realm, offering listeners deeper insights into wildlife and conservation with his Beneath the Baobab podcast. The podcast hosts cutting-edge conversations about conservation work led by communities around the world.
Speaking Engagements
Gordon Buchanan is a sought-after public speaker, known for his captivating storytelling and insights into wildlife conservation.
– Live Tours: Gordon has embarked on several UK tours, including the 30 Years in the Wild anniversary tour in 2023, where he shared experiences from his three-decade career in wildlife filmmaking. In 2025, he launched his most extensive live tour, Lions and Tigers and Bears, recounting thrilling encounters with various wildlife species and sharing stories from his global expeditions.
– Corporate and Public Speaking: Gordon is a popular keynote speaker and has been featured at significant events, such as the 2023 Highland Business Dinner in Inverness, where he discussed his experiences and the importance of wildlife conservation.
Gordon Buchanan | Wellbeing Keynote
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