Judi Dench Achieves Lifetime Goal Amid Fading Sight, Overwhelmed With Emotion

Judi Dench, the beloved actress, is in Scotland for a TV special. While referring to this land as her “spiritual home”, she was able to fulfill one of her dreams. Everything while battling with the loss of her eyesight.

Judi Dench filmed her Countryfile special on BBC in the Scottish countryside. In this episode, Dame Judi is the guest editor alongside Charlotte Smith and Hamza Yassin, exploring the Highlands of Scotland.

The preview of the episode features Judi expressing her deep affection for Scotland, stating, “I would say, actually, that my spiritual home is Scotland, simply because I just feel comfortable here.”

Judi’s connection with Scotland runs deep, with several of her major films being shot there. The 1997 hit Mrs. Brown, for which she received a BAFTA for her portrayal of Queen Victoria, was filmed at Duns Castle in the Borders region and the Ardverikie Estate in Badenoch. Glencoe in the Scottish Highlands also provided the backdrop for some iconic scenes in her final appearance in the James Bond franchise, the 2012 film Skyfall.

In this special episode of Countryfile, the 88-year-old star delves into her love for nature, particularly her passion for trees. She reveals that many of the trees she has planted are in memory of her late celebrity friends, remarking, “I have a lot of famous people in my garden.”

Judi’s love for trees has deep roots in her childhood when she felt deeply upset by the sight of large lorries transporting felled trees. She says, “As a child, I used to get irrationally upset to see long lorries with huge trees on. I can’t explain that. I still don’t like seeing trees being felled.”

During her visit to Inveraray Castle in Argyll, Judi discusses her failing eyesight with regular Countryfile host Charlotte Smith. When asked how she maintains her positivity despite her vision loss, Judi replies, “I have no option, or I’ll just fall over. But I’ve got wonderful people who help me.”

Judi recently candidly disclosed that she is unable to see on film sets and can no longer read scripts due to her advanced macular degeneration.

Also, in the episode, the 88-year-old actress was able to spot two golden eagles soaring alongside a kestrel in the sky, using a monitor to aid her vision.

Yassin asked for her thoughts, and with tearful laughter, Dame Judi replied, “I could see one, and you are a witness to seeing that I saw it... I’m very overcome... It’s an enormous privilege, don’t you think? How often does anybody see that? Not very often.”

Dame Judi concluded, “How brilliant. And can I keep that (the video) and show it? I never quite thought it would happen. I thought, ’Well, we’ll go out, and we’ll be looking. They won’t appear.’ We saw them... thank you so much.”

There’s no doubt that Judi Dench is one of the most celebrated actresses in the world. And one of the most incredible aspects of her life is that all of her 7 Academy Award nominations came late for her, after the age of 60.