Expat Gen X American living in the far north of the Scottish Highlands. This channel showcases a mix of:
a.) Beautiful sightseeing in the Scottish Highlands and beyond;
b.) Day-to-day life in a cottage deep in the far north of the Scottish Highlands;
c.) Life lessons and commentary from a slightly crazy Gen X American who now lives in Europe.
I've been a software producer, resort salesman, e-zine publisher, martial arts instructor, author, farmer, security guard, bellhop, tour guide, filmmaker, digital marketer, and many other jobs I can't remember. I've held every title from janitor to vice president. I've toured the planet with a billion-dollar stage show, overcome opioid addiction, escaped a cult, survived child abuse, and managed to leave the USA and start a new life in the United Kingdom.
Key appealing elements of this channel: escapism (not many channels based in the far north of Scotland!), lifestyle aspiration, authentic emotional commentary, and relaxing subject material.
The American Highlander
TOMORROW NIGHT, 22 MAY, 6PM BST: Do you want to experience one of the most remote parts of the Scottish Highlands? A region so far removed from civilization that most people, including a lot of folks who live up here in the Far North, have never seen it with their own eyes?
Tune in Friday night, 22nd May, to see a region of the Northern Highlands you honestly probably haven't even heard of. Because, trust me -- you'll want to go there yourself.
Tomorrow night: return to the Far North.
6 days ago | [YT] | 382
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The American Highlander
TOMORROW NIGHT, FRIDAY 15 MAY 6PM BST: Return to the Far North as we explore Richard Hammond's "Piloting Extremely Nicely In Scotland 287" from The Grand Tour! If you recall that episode, Hammond points out a mysterious road on a map that cuts diagonally across the interior of the Far North and raves about how beautiful it is...but if you know your geography up here, you know that the final cut of the episode never actually *shows* the road.
So, if The Grand Tour ain't gonna do it, I guess I have to do it.
Fun fact: I've scoured YouTube for other videos showing this road, and there's almost no footage of it online, despite it being one of the most scenic roads in all of Scotland.
Is Richard Hammond's Piloting Extremely Nicely In Scotland as long and magnificently shaped as The Grand Tour wanted you to believe? Tune in tomorrow night and see this secret of the northern Highlands revealed in all its full-frontal glory.
1 week ago | [YT] | 272
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The American Highlander
TOMORROW NIGHT, 6PM BST: Return to the Far North as we venture over to the mountains of Wester Ross! Episode 38, "Arise", has probably the best teaser sequence I've ever filmed for AmHigh, and now that I have Indefinite Leave to Remain here in the UK, a new goal for the channel is revealed.
I don't want to hype things too far, but the whole episode just rips straight through with an urgency that I haven't had on the channel in a while. I think it's honestly the best episode I've done since Wolf Moon. You know how, when you're trying to hook a friend on your favorite TV show, and you say, "Here, watch THIS episode"? Yeah. That's what Arise is. It's kind of a calling card for The American Highlander as a whole.
In AmHigh's opening narration, I say, "This year, I'm letting go of the past and building a new life in this amazing place." Arise is where this truly begins.
6PM BST, Friday, 24 April: return to the Far North.
1 month ago (edited) | [YT] | 384
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The American Highlander
TOMORROW NIGHT, Friday 6pm BST 3rd April 2026: discover if I've obtained Indefinite Leave to Remain in the UK.
Obtaining ILR is incredibly difficult. For most people, it takes five years and a ton of money for visas and NHS surcharges. Any little mistake can reset the clock -- or worse. Jumping through all the hoops to legally immigrate to the UK and earn "settled" status is a Byzantine process, and it's incredibly difficult to build a new life when that Sword of Damocles is constantly hanging over your head.
I gambled everything on this journey. *Many* people from the US, Canada, etc. would love to live in the UK, but it's incredibly difficult to turn that into reality. The opportunity arose for me, and I seized it with both hands and never looked back. Now, with the rules around legal immigration set to change and become even MORE difficult (possibly up to ten years instead of five), have I managed to squeak in under the current system? Or was my application denied?
The stakes are real. I work for a British employer. I married a British citizen. I bought a house in the Scottish Highlands. I'm doing everything I can to hold onto the dream of a better life in this magical land, and the stress is overwhelming. Success is NOT guaranteed.
If you've followed my channel for any length of time -- especially if you came in at or near the beginning -- THIS episode is the emotional payoff of the entire channel's primary narrative arc thus far. Either I get to stay or I don't. This is as pivotal as it has gotten thus far.
Find out for yourself which way this goes. Find out if this American truly does get to become a Highlander.
Tomorrow night: return to the Far North.
1 month ago | [YT] | 322
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The American Highlander
I got to meet a member of The American Highlander Patreon family! Chad Campbell was visiting the Far North, and we hung out for a bit. He's a Tier 3 Patron, so we do one-on-one video calls once a month, and when he told me he was going to be visiting the Far North, I absolutely wanted to meet him in person. His story is incredible -- I filmed a short segment on him for an upcoming episode, so I won't spoil it here -- but it was a great opportunity to hang out with a member of the extended family.
I do have a second Patron hangout coming up soon (more on that soon), but for me it's a fantastic opportunity to interact face to face. In this brave new digital world we all live in, there's something fantastic about old-fashioned analog hanging out.
Tomorrow night's episode, "Prevernal", is a really fun one, and a bit more lighthearted than I've done in a while. Hope you guys enjoy! And if you want behind-the-scenes content and extra perks, make sure to join AmHigh on Patreon: www.patreon.com/TheAmericanHighlander
2 months ago | [YT] | 440
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The American Highlander
Winter is giving way to spring here in the Highlands, and with warmer temperatures and more daylight hours we're starting to venture further afield once again for filming!
Conventional wisdom says you should front-load your videos with your best material, because audiences tend to taper off the longer a video goes on. I disagree with this trend; I believe audiences have longer attention spans than they're given credit for, as long as you have something interesting to say and it's presented in a compelling fashion. This Friday's upcoming episode, in particular, has one of the best ending sequences I've ever put together for The American Highlander. I'll be curious to get your feedback on it when it comes out.
Friday, 6pm GMT: return to the Far North.
2 months ago | [YT] | 587
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The American Highlander
One year ago today, I moved into my house in the Scottish Highlands and began a new life in the Far North. It's beyond anything I could have hoped for. And, quite honestly, it's changed me. Profoundly.
Six months ago I started documenting the journey here on The American Highlander, which has now passed over 2,000,000 views. More importantly, though: the outpouring of wonderful feedback from people who have said AmHigh has really helped them deal with their own inner struggles is truly amazing. If I can help others by opening up about my own inner demons, whilst simultaneously providing a vicarious look at life in the Highlands and helping to promote local Scottish businesses, then I've hopefully done some good.
Wherever you are: keep going. Things DO get better.
Love and hugs from the Highlands,
Jason
2 months ago | [YT] | 1,139
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The American Highlander
We had some special guests at the house today! Kim and Del Hogg, from @hoggsinthepaddock and @GoingTheWholeHogg came by and hung out with Christine and I. I've been a big fan of their work for years -- their cinematography and editing are amazing -- and now that they live here in the Far North, I'm super excited for what they're doing with their new tiny-house build up in Caithness. I'm planning on filming a segment on them soon, so this is a great time to check out @hoggsinthepaddock and get caught up on their journey!
4 months ago | [YT] | 582
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The American Highlander
The northern lights were so insane last night here in the Far North that I could walk the grounds around my house with no external lights on. It was astonishing.
People wonder if it's worth visiting the Highlands in winter. You be the judge. 🙂
If you haven't seen the second-season debut, "Wolf Moon", it's all about winter here in Scotland, and how I dealt with being snowed in. The next episode, "The Calling", goes out this Friday at 6pm GMT!
4 months ago | [YT] | 733
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The American Highlander
Friday night, 16th January at 6pm GMT: "Wolf Moon", the Season Two debut of The American Highlander!
This episode covers the first 100 hours of 2026, in which a massive winter storm descends over the Far North. Structurally this is a very different episode since nearly the whole thing takes place in one location (my house) during the isolation of being snowed in; there's a real sense of a *story* unfolding, and it's focused on the most-asked question I've gotten since starting this channel: winter in the Highlands.
There are also several surprises in this episode, not the least of which being this is the first episode to feature original music created by film/TV composers from my day job specifically for this channel!
I rarely go this far, but I want to personally encourage you to check out tomorrow night's episode. You know how, when you're telling someone to check out a new show, you send them one or two links and say, "Here, check THESE out to get a sense of what you're missing?" THAT'S Wolf Moon. Show this episode to your friends who have never seen AmHigh but might be curious about the Highlands.
Tomorrow night: return to the Far North.
-Jason
4 months ago | [YT] | 503
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