Paul Murton is on Barra, where he witnesses some of the great spectacles of the natural world.
Paul Murton explores the Isle of Mull and its satellite islands, to discover why they have become boltholes from the hustle and bustle of the modern world.
In this first 'Grand Tours of the Scottish Islands', Paul Murton sets out to visit some of the myriad of islands that lay off our coastline. Heading to Foula and Fair Isle - the most remote island communities in Britain - Paul makes a nerve-wracking visit to 'Da Snekk o' da Smallie' - a pothole in the cliffs of Foula which leads through to the Atlantic shore on the island, and learns about the beautiful knitting patterns which have made Fair Isle world famous.
In the second episode of the series Paul Murton is turning his back on the sea and discovering the secrets of Scotland's landlocked islands; heading to the bonnie, bonnie banks of Loch Lomond. To begin his journey Paul takes a stunning microlight flight across the loch to get a bird's-eye view of one of Scotland's most iconic beauty spots, before going island hopping to meet some of the extraordinary people who live here.
On this Grand Tour, Paul sets off from Mallaig to visit a group of islands famed for their unusual names: Rum, Muck and Eigg. Paul meets the real 'Lord Muck', visits the dramatic Kinloch Castle on Rum and joins the Eigg islanders in a very special celebration of the island's community buyout.
Continuing his island-hopping odyssey, Paul sets sail on an island pilgrimage in the footsteps of saints, visiting Lismore, Colonsay and Oronsay. Paul hears the extraordinary story of Saint Moluag who established a monastery on Lismore, joins writer Alexander McCall Smith on his yacht, and uncovers the remarkable secrets revealed by a Viking ship burial on Colonsay.
In the fifth episode, Paul Murton explores the islands scattered in the Firth of Forth. He discovers that these seemingly peaceful islands have a dramatic history of war; from Medieval English raids on the monastic island retreat of Inchcolm, to the first air raid attack on Britain above Inchgarvie. Paul learns about the strategic importance of Inchkeith's defences during two world wars, before heading to the Bass Rock to learn more about the history of prisoners incarcerated on the unforgiving rock, with 160,000 gannets for company.
On the final grand tour of the series, Paul Murton goes over the sea to Skye to visit the home of celebrated writer and naturalist Gavin Maxwell, before scaling the famous Cuillin mountain, Am Bastier. On the nearby Isle of Raasay, he learns about 'Calum's Road' - the amazing true story of the determined crofter, Calum Macleod, who singlehandedly built a road to connect his isolated community.
In this first episode of the new series, Paul Murton is travelling to the Outer Hebrides and the beautiful islands of Eriskay, Barra and Vatersay. Meeting local people on Eriskay he discovers how this island's remote location helped preserve a unique way of life for centuries and also allowed the locals to hide thousands of bottles of whisky from the excise men who came visiting when a ship laden with a valuable and thirst-quenching cargo ran aground here in 1941. This was one of the less sober chapters in the island's history and was the inspiration for the famous film 'Whisky Galore'. Moving onto Barra, Paul visits the only airport in the world where scheduled flights land on the beach, finds out about the island's tradition of crofting and goes foraging for cockles. Heading across the causeway to Vatersay, Paul joins local fishermen trawling for lobsters and ends his journey at spectacular Barra Head, which has been uninhabited for more than a hundred years.
For this grand tour, Paul Murton is exploring the Isle of Mull and its satellite islands to discover why they have become boltholes from the hustle and bustle of the modern world. Beginning his journey on the tidal island of Erraid, which inspired famous Scottish writer Robert Louis Stevenson, Paul is then island-hopping to beautiful Ulva, the final resting place of Lachlan MacQuarrie, one of the first governors of New South Wales. MacQuarrie is known as the father of Australia, but Ulva is where this celebrated Scot was born and it is where he chose to be buried. Leaving peaceful Ulva behind, Paul heads to explore Mull itself and is given a whistle-stop tour of the island by rally driver Louise Thomas, who regularly competes in the world-famous Mull Rally. After seeing Mull at breakneck speed, it's time for some tranquillity and Paul travels to the mysterious little island of Inch Kenneth. This is where some of the earliest kings of Scotland are buried, but in more recent times Inch Kenneth was owned by the aristocratic and eccentric English family, the Mitfords, and Paul discovers the island has a dark secret. This is where Unity Mitford, who was a Nazi sympathiser, was hidden by her family when, distraught at the news that Britain had gone to war with her beloved Germany, she shot herself. The badly injured Unity was taken to Inch Kenneth to recuperate and hide from the world. To raise his spirits Paul heads to his final destination, the beautiful and remote Treshnish Islands, where he experiences a spot of puffin therapy.
Paul Murton visits Gigha and Jura, two islands of the Inner Hebrides which are only a few miles apart but could not be more different. He begins at the Achamore Gardens on Gigha, which were created in the 1930s by the malted-drink millionaire James Horlick. He loved Gigha's mild climate so much that he bought the island and made it his home. Today Gigha is owned by the community, and many of its residents are incomers attracted by the opportunity to begin a new island life on this small and fertile place. Where Gigha is small, lush and verdant, Jura is rugged and awe-inspiring. Despite being one of Scotland's largest islands, just 200 people live there - alongside more than 5,000 deer.
Paul Murton explores a string of islands off the the west coast near Oban, visiting Kerrera, Seil and Eileach an Naoimh. The host travels on an original steam-powered puffer, finding out about the vital role such ships played in providing a link to the mainland, as well as visiting some of Scotland's oldest religious buildings.
Paul Murton tours Outer Orkney, beginning at North Ronaldsay, which may be the most northerly of the Orkneys but turns out to be surprisingly easy to get to. Paul then hops across to Papa Stronsay, which is now populated by an order of monks who have chosen to make this isolated island their home, and ends on the island of Stroma in the Pentland Firth, a previously inhabited island that was abandoned in the 1950s. One of the last people to live there joins Paul to recall when it was still a thriving community.
Paul Murton visits the islands of Coll and Tiree, which though just a few miles apart could not be more different. On Coll, he meets Nicolas Maclean Bristol, owner of Breachacha Castle, who can trace his ancestors on the island back to the 14th century. Tiree is one of the stormiest places in Europe, but is also one of the best places in Britain to surf and practise the relatively new sport of sand yachting, the racing of go-carts with a sail along the beach.
This first grand tour of the new series takes Paul to the largest island in Britain: the long island of Harris and Lewis. Paul tries his hand at weaving Harris Tweed, meets the family behind the world-famous Stornoway black pudding and uncovers the remarkable story of how a mysterious medieval chess set was discovered on the remote beach of Uig on Lewis.
Thirty miles from mainland Scotland, there is a chain of low-lying islands that face the full might of the Atlantic Ocean: the Uists and Benbecula. On these islands there seems to be more water than land, as a spectacular patchwork of freshwater lochs and pools pockmark the landscape. But it is the unique ecology of these unspoilt islands that makes them so special. Paul's journey sees him trying his hand at fishing for wild sea trout, uncovering the fascinating story of how South Uist became a missile testing base, and discovering the secrets of the beautiful but deserted tidal island of Vallay.
On the west coast of Scotland are a group of islands that are so remote they almost seem to have been forgotten by the rest of the world and are populated by just a few hardy souls. Crossing the Sea of the Hebrides, Paul sets off to explore the Shiants, heads east to the romantic Isle of Ewe, and onto the Summer Isles, before travelling to the mighty cliffs of Handa. This tour sees Paul go diving at Scotland's first 'scallop ranch', kayak to the Summer Isles and visit the eerie but beautiful island of Gruinard, which was once considered to be so solitary and remote it was chosen to be the testing ground for Britain's biological warfare experiments during World War II.
Among the islands of the Hebrides there's one that can rightly claim to have a separate identity - Islay - which was once the capital of the ancient Lordship of the Isles. This programme sees Paul travel from Finlaggan, where the famous ruler Somerled once held court, along Islay's windswept coast, through its historic ports and villages to end on its highest mountain. Along the way he will join a dedicated bunch of Ileach who are keeping the seafaring traditions of the island alive, discover the secrets of Islay's illicit whisky distilling past and travel to the stunning Mull of Oa on the island's south coast, before climbing Ben Vicar for a breathtaking view across the Hebrides.
For this grand tour, Paul's journey begins at Loch Hourn on the mainland, takes him over the sea to Skye and then heads to the tiny island of Soay before finishing on Canna. Along the way, Paul visits the house which was the inspiration for Skyfall, home of Britain's most famous spy James Bond, embarks on a nerve-wracking caving expedition under the summit of Blaven and discovers the remarkable story of shark fishing off Soay.
For this final grand tour Paul is heading as far north as you can go in Britain, to the islands of Fetlar, Unst and Yell. These islands, which lie on Scotland's northern frontier, are as much Scandinavian as Scottish and were in fact once part of Norway. Along the way he will sing with the Shanty Yell Men who came together to celebrate their Norse heritage, learn how to 'roo' Shetland sheep the traditional way, and get an incredible opportunity to see up close the wild otters who make their home here in Shetland's pristine waters. And finally, Paul will fulfil a long-held ambition to visit Out Stack, the rocky outcrop that is famous for being the 'full stop' at the edge of Britain.
In this first programme in the new series, Paul Murton continues his island odyssey, exploring the remote and fascinating places which scatter our coastline, and meeting the people who call these islands home. On this Grand Tour, Paul is exploring a cluster of islands in the Outer Hebrides. Lying just off the North Uist coast is princely Berneray, where his journey begins. From there he heads south to capture the colours of Grimsay, and then weaves through the marram grass of Kirkibost, to end on the deserted whisky island of Pabbay.
This Grand Tour takes Paul around the coast of the Long Island of Harris and Lewis, beginning on Scarp, travelling north to Great Bernera, then south east to Scalpay. These islands may seem to exist in the shadow of their much larger neighbours but Paul discovers they have a distinct identity all of their own, as he hears remarkable stories of crofter rebellions, rocket mail and a rich local culture.
Paul explores the eastern outposts of Shetland - Papa Stour, Whalsay and the Out Skerries, encountering along the way newborn lambs, ancient ruins and traditional Shetland sword dancing. Paul's journey reveals a bittersweet story of islands where life seems to continue against the odds, in the face of declining populations and the challenges that come with being so remote. But in all of the three islands Paul explores, he discovers they have their own voice, made proud and distinctive by the determination of the islanders to keep their communities alive.
In this episode Paul heads to the northernmost spur of Skye - the stunningly beautiful Trotternish Peninsula. The Isle of Skye is an intoxicating mix of all that is great about Scotland's islands, and the dramatic landscape of the North embraces everything from lava twisted rocks to stunning waterfalls. Paul begins his adventure at one of the star attractions of this part of the island, The Old Man of Storr, and his journey takes him on journey of discovery following in the footsteps of the dinosaurs who once walked this land, through the enchanted fairy glen and out to the seldom-visited Fladda Chuain islands.
On this journey Paul crosses the great natural harbour of Scapa Flow to the island of Flotta, before heading round the main island of Orkney to Stronsay, and from there travelling north to the stunning beaches of Sanday. Along the way Paul discovers stories of World War One, a mysterious beast, and Orkney Selkies.
In the final episode of the series, Paul embarks on his most difficult island Grand Tour to date. Every destination has been long abandoned by people, there are no ferries, no piers or proper landings at these islands making it quite a challenge to get there. Paul's journey sees him travel to the once-inhabited island of Heisgeir, sail around the gannet city of Sula Sgeir and endure rough seas to finally make landfall on the extraordinarily remote island of North Rona.
We accompany presenter Paul Murton, as he travels round one of Scotland's best-loved holiday destinations, the Isle of Arran. Known as 'Scotland in miniature', Paul sets off to explore this diverse island that has something for everyone - ruined castles, rugged mountains, stunning wildlife. Arran has always been a popular tourist location - one particularly regal visitor was Prince Rainier of Monaco, as Paul discovers, when he calls on Lady Jean Fforde, at Brodick Castle.
Paul Murton experiences island life. Here, he visits Foula and Fair Isle, and makes a nerve-wracking visit to the Sneck o' da Smallie - a pothole in the cliffs of Foula.
Paul Murton experiences island life. Paul sets off from Mallaig to visit a group of islands famed for their unusual names - Rum, Muck and Eigg - and he meets the real Lord Muck.
Paul Murton explores the islands scattered in the Firth of Forth. He discovers that these seemingly peaceful islands have a dramatic history of war, from Medieval English raids on the monastic island retreat of Inchcolm to the first air raid attack on Britain above Inchgarvie.
Paul visits two islands of the Inner Hebrides - Gigha and Jura - which are only a few miles apart but couldn't be more different. He then travels by puffer to explore a little known string of islands just off the west coast near Oban.
Paul visits two islands of the Inner Hebrides, Gigha and Jura, which are only a few miles apart but couldn't be more different. He begins his journey at the stunning Achamore Gardens on Gigha, which were created in the 1930s by malted drink millionaire Colonel Sir James Horlick. Sir James loved Gigha's mild climate so much that he bought the island and made it his home. Today Gigha is owned by the community, and many of its residents are incomers attracted by the opportunity to begin a new island life on this small and fertile place. Where Gigha is small, lush and verdant, Paul's next destination, Jura, is rugged and awe-inspiring. Despite being one of Scotland's largest islands, just 200 people live on Jura alongside more than 5,000 deer. Paul continues his exploration of the island by taking a boat trip to experience the infamous Corryvreckan whirlpool at the north of Jura, which nearly claimed the life of author George Orwell, before visiting the remote and beautiful Glen Garrisdale Bay and getting a lesson in how to cut peat.
Paul Murton crosses the sea to Skye on the world's only manually-operated turntable ferry.
The series where Paul visits some of the most beautiful and remote spots in Britain, meeting the people who live there and discovering more about Scotland's best-kept secrets. In this episode, he visits the low-lying islands that face the full might of the Atlantic Ocean.
Paul visits some of the most beautiful and remote spots in Britain. Crossing the Sea of the Hebrides, Paul heads to the Isle of Ewe, and onto the Summer Isles.
Paul Murton visits some of the most beautiful and remote spots in Britain. In this episode, he embarks on a nerve-wracking caving expedition under the summit of Blaven.
Paul Murton visits some of the most beautiful and remote spots in Britain. In this programme he experiences puffin therapy on the Treshnish Islands.
Paul Murton visits Coll, where he meets local crofter Angus Kennedy, who lived and worked away but has returned to work the land of his childhood. Paul also visits Nicolas Maclean Bristol, owner of Breachacha Castle and descendant of the ancient MacLeans of Coll, whose history on the island goes back to the 14th century. The island's population has slumped to just 200 people in recent years, but Nicolas runs a charity on the island which encourages young volunteers to come and work here from all over the world, giving the island distinctly cosmopolitan feel.
Paul Murton turns his back on the sea and discovers the secrets of Scotland's landlocked islands. Heading to the bonnie, bonnie banks of Loch Lomond, he begins his journey by taking a stunning microlight flight across the loch to get a bird's-eye view of one of Scotland's most iconic beauty spots. He then goes island hopping to meet some of the extraordinary people who live there.
This episode takes Paul Murton to the largest island in Britain: the long island of Harris and Lewis, where he tries his hand at weaving Harris tweed, meets the family behind the world-famous Stornoway black pudding and uncovers the remarkable story of how a mysterious medieval chess set was discovered on the remote beach of Uig on Lewis. Thirty miles from mainland Scotland, there is a chain of low-lying islands that face the full might of the Atlantic Ocean: the Uists and Benbecula. On these islands there seems to be more water than land as a spectacular patchwork of freshwater lochs and pools pockmark the landscape. But it is the unique ecology of these unspoilt islands that makes them so special. Paul’s journey sees him try his hand at fishing for wild sea trout, uncover the fascinating story of how South Uist became a missile testing base, and discover the secrets of the beautiful but deserted tidal island of Vallay.
Paul Murton visits some of the most beautiful and remote spots in Britain, and meeting the people who live there.
Paul Murton explores the world of island life.
Paul travels to the very north of the British Isles, to The Shetland Isles - islands which are as Scandinavian as they are British. During his northerly adventures, Paul lands on the island of Yell, where he meets with local Brydon Thomason, from Shetland Nature, and gets the amazing opportunity to see wild otters up close.
Paul Murton visits the Isle of Ewe. He meets up with Jane Grant, a local scallop farmer who skippers her own boat from the mainland as there is no public ferry to the island. Jane introduces Paul to the work involved in farming scallops. Although Scotland has some of the best waters in the world for producing scallops, numbers of scallops have declined dramatically over the last 20 years. Jane explains how local farmers are having to look to hatchery technology in order to keep production going. Paul's attempt at diving for scallops doesn't quite go as planned
Paul Murton takes a quick tour around the Scottish Islands.
Paul Murton makes a grand tour of Outer Orkney.
Paul Murton follows in the footsteps of the first tourists to Scotland.
Paul explores a cluster of islands in the Outer Hebrides.
Paul explores the eastern outposts of Shetland.
Paul crosses the great natural harbour of Scapa Flow to the island of Flotta.
