Glenalmond College's "An Audience With..." series is a selection of stories from some of our most successful OGs. In the form of Q&As, we are incredibly proud to showcase the journeys that started at Glenalmond and went on to become tales of inspiration, commitment and diversity.  We hope you enjoy what they have to say.

Should you be keen to share your story, or indeed reach out to these people, then please register with CollConnect if you haven't done so already, and/or contact us directly.

Beetle Campbell

Goodacres (2009 - 2014)

My name is Beetle Campbell. I am a filmmaker getting to travel the world for work. I’ve climbed one of the highest mountains in the world with disabled guys and have a film coming out with Universal Studios, filmed and ran a marathon across the Wadi-Rum desert in Jordan and was just part of a Netflix show as well as being the youngest photographer to ever be featured on BBC Earth.

I left Glenalmond in 2014 and was in Goodacre’s, which was a boys house and seemed to draw the sporty guys. I had very little confidence whilst at school, jack of all trades master of none type character and by no means a standout student.

Best thing about Glenalmond?

The grounds. Being a country kid having access to hundreds of acres of gorgeous Perthshire was pretty special - the front slopes were an iconic spot to socialise, play rugby or football on. Many fond memories of that place.

Best memory from Glenalmond?

This would have to be the in house antics. I was lucky to have an incredibly good year and we shared many of the same passions, mostly sport related. This meant in the house there was always laughs and boys joking around and games being played - even if we didn’t get along it would soon be swept under the carpet and we’d make the most of having a good time within the house.

Career

My career has been driven by a love for the outdoors in extraordinary locations. Travelling & filming in places I only dreamt of visiting. How? Through people skills. Sure, I can hold a camera and create nice videos for brands or people but the no.1 factor to being successful is getting people onside with your vision by being good to everyone and engaging in proper conversation.

What advice would I have for others who wanted to follow in your footsteps?

If you want to standout in a competitive space you need to be different. I always wished I was like everyone else at school and would fit in. However, being different you get noticed by the masses for better or for worse. If you want to follow my footsteps create videos/take photos of your most passionate things, do it with your own style and be DIFFERENT.

What advice would you have for a Third Form student when it comes to careers?

First, don’t worry you have time. Second, do as many different things as you possibly can. Finding out what you don’t like is almost as important as finding out what you do like. Only way of discovering what you like/don’t like is trying hundreds of things. Play sports, sign up to that weird activity your mates aren’t doing, say yes to lots particularly if it’s something new. Be a sponge to the world and try as much as possible. The most successful people try lots and fail lots. So try lots and fail. Eventually you will have tried so many things you know what you like and lean into those things with everything you’ve got.

Career highlights / low lights?

Career highlights would be youngest photographer to be featured on BBC Earth, signing a deal with Universal Studios and featuring on a Netflix show. Career lowlights would include family not believing in me, legal action against me when I had nothing and feeling worthless when I started my business because I was making no money.

What could have the biggest impact on what you do in the next 10 years?

In March 2022 I climbed a 7000m mountain with guys disabled with spinal cord injuries. It took us 3 weeks but we broke a new world record and there’s a film coming out with Universal Studios.  This will undoubtably be the thing that could have the largest impact on my career in the next 10 years.

If you could rewind the clock to be back at school, what one thing would you change and why?

Confidence. I wish I believed in myself more throughout my time at Glenalmond. I had very little confidence and often think that if only I backed myself more throughout school how much more could I have achieved whilst at Glenalmond. So don’t be arrogant or cocky ever, but back
yourself.

What were the biggest lessons from Glenalmond (both in and out the classroom) you carry with you in life?

Independence, people skills, ability to try lots of different things & working hard at anything = rewards further down the line.

If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be?

Cape Town. I have a deep love for Africa and being based in Cape Town for a while would give me access to amazing wildlife, cool adventure spots & the best lifestyle.

Contact Details

If you wish to contact Beetle, please email beetle@beetlecampbellfilms.com