John Davidson to watch Bafta Scotland ceremony from 'relaxed space' as I Swear nominated for seven awards

I Swear, which is based on the life of Mr Davidson, from Galashiels, is the only film to have any nominations in the film actor category, with Peter Mullan, Robert Aramayo and Scott Ellis Watson, all shortlisted, while it is also nominated in four other categories.

The film previously won three awards at the UK Baftas, where Aramayo made history as the first actor to win both leading actor and rising star in the same year.

However, the film’s Baftas win last February sparked a row after Mr Davidson shouted the N-word as Sinners stars Michael B Jordan and Delroy Lindo presented the first prize of the evening. The slur was not edited out by the BBC, which broadcast the event.

Bafta said it had agreed Mr Davidson will watch the Scottish ceremony in a separate room in the same building with loved ones.

In a letter sent out to Bafta members, chief executive Jane Millichip and chair Sara Putt said the organisation had “made adjustments” to enable him to attend the awards.

It said: “We have made adjustments to enable John to attend in the way he has suggested to us, which is to watch the ceremony via video link from a separate relaxed space within the venue together with his family and friends.”

The letter went on to explain Mr Davidson’s condition.

It added: “These vocalisations, like all tics, are neurological in origin, occur outside of the individual’s control, and do not reflect a person’s views, beliefs, character or intentions.”

Meanwhile, Bafta Scotland revealed Netflix series Dept Q and BBC comedy Dinosaur each received three nominations, while Disaster at Sea: The Piper Alpha Story, Everybody to Kenmure Street and Midwinter Break all received two nominations each.

Previous Bafta Scotland Award winner Lucy Halliday is a double nominee in both the actress film and actress television categories for her work in California Schemin’ and The Testaments respectively.

All four nominees in the actor television category - Dougray Scott for Summerwater, Jack Lowden for Slow Horses, Peter Capaldi for Criminal Record and Robert Carlyle for The Hack - are previous Bafta Scotland award winners.

Nominations for the 14 competitive categories were determined through a combination of membership voting and dedicated juries comprised of industry professionals with relevant craft expertise.

Dani Carlaw, chair of Bafta Scotland, said: “A big congratulations to all this year’s Bafta Scotland nominees. These nominations are a reminder of just how much creative talent we have across Scotland, both on screen and behind the scenes. Every project takes people with vision and determination to make it happen. I’m really looking forward to celebrating their work and the teams who made it possible.”

Last week, the audience award nominees for Baftas Scotland was announced. Julie Wilson Nimmo, who plays Miss Hooley in Balamory, Stephen Libby who won series four of hit TV show The Traitors and Peter Mullan, who plays John Davidson in I Swear will be up against fellow Scots Katie Leung, who plays Lady Araminta Gun in Brigerton, Ncuti Gatwa, who plays the lead role in Dr Who and Leah Byrne, who is Rose in Dept Q.

The Bafta Scotland Awards 2026 will take place on 15 November at the DoubleTree by Hilton Glasgow Central.