Paul explores the River Garry, which flows from the Grampian mountains, re-fights the Battle of Killiecrankie and falls off a bridge before climbing the ‘speckled hill’.
Paul explores the upper reaches of the river Spey, Scotland’s third longest river, and travels through Badenoch to a hidden love nest, before working up steam on a heritage railway.
Paul Murton explores the lower reaches of the Spey, famous for its forests, whisky distilleries and salmon as it flows north towards the coast. On the way Paul hears tales of loggers who floated timber down the river from the 17th century onwards. He also takes to the water in a canoe and discovers the rare and endangered freshwater mussels that were once harvested for their precious pearls, which adorn royal crowns.
Paul Murton discovers the source of the River Nith, high in a remote forestry plantation. Heading downstream, he hears the story of the Knockshinnoch mining disaster - how 116 men were saved from entombment after a massive earth collapse. He also learns about the first man to make a bicycle with pedals, heads to the riverside home of Robbie Burns and finds out how a Dumfries man helped Neil Armstrong walk on the moon.
Paul Murton follows the eastward course of the river South Esk from its source in the hills above Glen Clova to the Montrose Basin, and on to the sea. Along the way he searches for Scotland's rarest plant, goes electro-fishing to discover more about the ecology and general health of the whole river system, and rides a motorbike to the ancestral home of Harley-Davidson.
Cameras follow the River Ayr as it flows from Loch Glenbuck towards the sea and the Clyde coast. In the Ayr Gorge, Paul Murton encounters the tale of radical preacher Alexander Peden, whose life on the run forced him to hide in caves while still preaching hell-fire sermons to the people.
Ups and Downs
On this Grand Tour, Paul explores the lower reaches of Royal Deeside. Heading downstream, he runs aground in a canoe and then gets stuck trying to thread his body through an ancient fertility stone. In the village of Banchory, he breathes in the scent of lavender, and then takes a train along the Royal Deeside Line before heading into Aberdeen where he learns a secret recipe for the city's famous rowie - a Caledonian version of the croissant. Journey's end is on the city's famous golden sands.
Paul explores the River Annan in Dumfries and Galloway, following it from where it rises above the Devil’s Beef Tub all the way to the Solway Firth.
The River North Esk south of Edinburgh is a hidden gem. Paul follows it from the Pentlands through a landscape steeped in myth and legend - including the mysterious Rosslyn Chapel.
Along the River Teviot, Paul discovers bloody reiving history, joins the Hawick Common Riding, visits a haunted jail, then reaches the Tweed where a king went off with a bang.
This surprising grand tour follows the River Ythan in rural Aberdeenshire, flowing through a landscape of fields and haunted castles to a coast rich in wildlife.
The River Don rises in wild land, high on the moors of the Grampian mountains. Paul follows its easterly flow from the famous Cock Bridge, where he encounters the Lonach Highlanders and a clan chief with two feathers in his cap carrying relics of the Battle of Culloden. Close to Strathdon, Paul meets an artist and sculptor who creates lifelike creatures from scrap metal, and then learns how the Aberdeen Angus became a world-beating cattle breed.
Paul explores the upper reaches of the River Tay, flying over its source in a microlight, then searching for gold inside a mountain before discovering the heart of Scotland.
Paul explores the lower River Tay, following it from the Grandtully Rapids to Dunkeld and its musical oak tree, past the home of Mrs Tiggy-winkle, and on to the sea.
The River Irvine in Ayrshire is the hidden gem explored on this Grand Tour. From its source close to Loudoun Hill, Paul follows the river to the town of Irvine and the sea.
The River Forth is a quintessentially Scottish river, flowing from highlands to lowlands. Paul follows its meandering and history-filled course to the sea.
Paul explores the River Oykel in Sutherland from its source in Assynt to the Dornoch Firth and learns about the loneliest war grave in Britain and the Duke’s gigantic toothpick.
