Paul Murton as Self
Episodes 18
Taming the Wild
Paul explores the River Garry, which flows from the Grampian Mountains, restages the Battle of Killiecrankie and falls off a bridge before climbing the ‘speckled hill’.
Read MoreThe Past Reimagined
Paul Murton 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.
Read MoreA Bountiful River
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.
Read MoreA River of Invention
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.
Read MoreGoing the Distance
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.
Read MoreSalt of the Earth
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.
Read MoreUps and Downs
Paul explores the Upper Dee, from the Cairngorm mountains to Balmoral castle and Royal Deeside and learns about a lost German zeppelin and Queen Victoria’s 'darling' man.
Read MoreAll the Way to the Sea
Paul explores the lower reaches of Royal Deeside, runs aground in a canoe, breathes in the scent of lavender, and enjoys a rowie - Caledonia’s version of a croissant - in Aberdeen.
Read MoreAs Time Flows By
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.
Read MoreTales of Mystery and Imagination
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.
Read MoreAn Independent River
Along the River Teviot, Paul Murton 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.
Read MoreIt's a 'Saer Fecht'
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.
Read MoreQuietly Flows the Don
Paul explores the River Don from its source in the Grampians near Cock Bridge, downstream to Aberdeen. He meets kilted Highlanders, sculptors, eccentrics and bees along the way.
Read MoreFrom Gold Mountain to the Silvery Tay
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.
Read MoreTales from the Riverbank
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.
Read MoreA Handmade Tale
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.
Read MoreFrom the Trossachs to the Kelpies
The River Forth is a quintessentially Scottish river, flowing from highlands to lowlands. Paul follows its meandering and history-filled course to the sea.
Read MoreA Highland River
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.
Read More