All Seasons

Season 1

  • S01E01 The Caledonian Canal

    • June 8, 2017
    • BBC ALBA

    Niall Iain Macdonald and Calum Macaulay take to the water as they explore the Caledonian Canal. They cruise down Loch Ness as far as Fort Augustus, where they get on their bikes and cycle the Great Glen Way. Niall Iain joins the crew of the Vic32, Scotland's only operational puffer, at Fort Augustus. Shovelling coal is hot work, but he is still charmed by this wonderful old boat. At Gairlochy Calum, visits Achnacarry House, seat of the Cameron clan, where the Commandos honed their skills, before visiting the monument in their honour at Spean Bridge. Calum and Niall Iain both compete in the Beast Race, a 10k endurance race through water and mud on the shores of Loch Ness. They end their journey at Neptune's Staircase, Banavie, the longest set of locks in Great Britain, with a stunning view across Loch Linnhe.

  • S01E02 The Union Canal

    • June 15, 2017
    • BBC ALBA

    Niall Iain Macdonald and Calum Macaulay take to the water as they explore the Union Canal. At the start of the canal in Lochrin Basin, Niall Iain meets Allan Maclean, who tells him all about Edinburgh's rich brewing history. Calum is learning about the history of the canal from Taobh na Pairce pupils, who are on board the Lochrin Belle. Writer and poet Aonghas MacNeacail shares his memories of the canal from his days in Edinburgh, in particular its transformation from dereliction to beautiful walkways and cycle paths today. At the Falkirk Wheel boating pond Niall Iain finds Professor Donald Meek with his scale model of The Claymore, and they remember the old MacBrayne ferries. Back in Linlithgow Calum and Niall compete in the annual cardboard boat race.

  • S01E03 The Forth and Clyde Canal

    • June 22, 2017
    • BBC ALBA

    Niall Iain Macdonald and Calum Macaulay take to the water as they explore the Forth and Clyde Canal. They take the tiller of their own barge, the Lochan Ora, and navigate their way across central Scotland. Niall Iain meets Ruaridh Graham of Historic Scotland to learn about the Antonine Wall - built by the Romans 2,000 years ago, it sits alongside much of the canal. Calum is more interested in how they keep the canals free of debris, and joins a dredger for the day. At Maryhill they are assisted by volunteer lock keepers as they ascend Neptune's Steps, where Red Bull hosts an annual endurance race. Finally, the boys decide to have a go at wakeboarding on the canal, which they discover is not as easy as it looks.

  • S01E04 The Crinan Canal

    • June 29, 2017
    • BBC ALBA

    Niall Iain Macdonald and Calum Macaulay take to the water as they explore the Crinan Canal. Niall Iain begins his journey in Tarbert, where he meets boatbuilder Phil Robertson. Phil gives him a lift in his restored ring netter, the St Clair, up Loch Fyne to Ardrishaig, the start of the canal. Calum is impressed with local lock keeper David Provan's piping, but not with the weather, as it's pouring! There is so much rain the canal has to close for fear of flooding. It doesn't stop our heroes though as they walk on to Bellanoch, where Niall Iain spots an otter in the River Add. Calum heads on to Dunadd, cutting across the Moine Mhor, and the standing stones of Kilmartin, before reaching the ancient seat of the kings of Dalriada.