1 00:00:00,600 --> 00:00:02,240 . 2 00:00:05,240 --> 00:00:07,240 . 3 00:00:08,200 --> 00:00:12,840 It's over 60 years since our first national park was created 4 00:00:12,840 --> 00:00:16,240 and they remain as stunning and as popular as ever. 5 00:00:16,240 --> 00:00:19,320 So I've come to find out what people love about them. 6 00:00:19,320 --> 00:00:21,840 To look at the wildlife, to taste some of the food 7 00:00:21,840 --> 00:00:24,080 and to meet some of the extraordinary people 8 00:00:24,080 --> 00:00:26,200 that work in these wonderful places. 9 00:00:26,200 --> 00:00:29,120 This week, I'm in the splendour of Scotland. 10 00:00:29,120 --> 00:00:31,560 Loch Lomond and the Trossachs. 11 00:00:38,600 --> 00:00:41,080 'Nestled in the south west of Scotland, 12 00:00:41,080 --> 00:00:45,400 the park sits on the boundary between the Highlands and the Lowlands. 13 00:00:45,400 --> 00:00:48,440 It's an area steeped in the very best 14 00:00:48,440 --> 00:00:52,920 of Scottish lochs, scenery, wildlife and history. 15 00:00:57,120 --> 00:00:59,440 I'm going to be helping some of the rangers 16 00:00:59,440 --> 00:01:01,640 with their vital conservation work...' 17 00:01:02,680 --> 00:01:04,760 Look at his little legs! 18 00:01:04,760 --> 00:01:09,800 '..I'll be throwing myself into a caber-tossing world championship...' 19 00:01:09,800 --> 00:01:11,640 You got it? No, take it! 20 00:01:11,640 --> 00:01:14,640 I don't like it, I really don't like it, Stephen! I don't like it. 21 00:01:14,640 --> 00:01:17,320 '..and I might even go for a dip.' 22 00:01:18,800 --> 00:01:22,640 Crikey, that's co-o-o-old! 23 00:01:37,200 --> 00:01:41,280 Loch Lomond and the Trossachs have been a popular tourist destination 24 00:01:41,280 --> 00:01:43,400 since the days of Queen Victoria. 25 00:01:43,400 --> 00:01:45,560 People would hop on a steam train 26 00:01:45,560 --> 00:01:48,000 from Manchester, Glasgow, even London, 27 00:01:48,000 --> 00:01:50,800 and make their way to the edge of the loch. 28 00:01:50,800 --> 00:01:53,760 From there, it was just a hop, skip and a jump 29 00:01:53,760 --> 00:01:56,120 to a popular tourist attraction - 30 00:01:56,120 --> 00:01:58,520 a paddleboat trip around the loch. 31 00:01:59,760 --> 00:02:02,480 Today, the paddleboats no longer operate, 32 00:02:02,480 --> 00:02:04,840 so if you want to see the loch in style, 33 00:02:04,840 --> 00:02:08,480 you have to take an even more glamorous mode of transport. 34 00:02:10,040 --> 00:02:12,080 'The Loch Lomond Seaplane 35 00:02:12,080 --> 00:02:15,000 is the only commercial seaplane operating in the UK. 36 00:02:16,160 --> 00:02:19,520 Its captain is ex-British Airways pilot David West.' 37 00:02:20,840 --> 00:02:22,880 David? How are you? Nice to meet you. 38 00:02:22,880 --> 00:02:24,920 I'm really good. Lovely to meet you. 39 00:02:24,920 --> 00:02:27,320 I'm brilliant, thank you. Your lovely plane! 40 00:02:27,320 --> 00:02:29,680 It's fantastic, isn't it? It's beautiful! 41 00:02:29,680 --> 00:02:31,880 Have you been in one before? No, darling. 42 00:02:31,880 --> 00:02:34,280 You're in for a treat. I'm excited about it. 43 00:02:34,280 --> 00:02:36,360 Is this a good way for me to see Loch Lomond 44 00:02:36,360 --> 00:02:38,880 and for me to establish my bearings, do you think? 45 00:02:38,880 --> 00:02:42,080 It really puts into perspective the lochs, the mountains, 46 00:02:42,080 --> 00:02:45,760 it pulls it into a picture that you can hold in your head much better. 47 00:02:45,760 --> 00:02:48,080 Shall we do it, then? Sounds like a plan. Yay! 48 00:02:48,080 --> 00:02:51,280 Straight across onto the grey deck, there, Caroline. Yeah. 49 00:02:51,280 --> 00:02:53,160 Onto the other seat. 50 00:02:53,160 --> 00:02:55,760 Don't worry about kicking anything. OK. 51 00:03:01,800 --> 00:03:04,800 We're just about ready to push away from the dock. 52 00:03:08,800 --> 00:03:11,800 So it's a boat at the moment. More correctly, a vessel. 53 00:03:13,920 --> 00:03:16,200 There's no air-traffic control delays. 54 00:03:16,200 --> 00:03:18,200 There's no air-traffic control. 55 00:03:21,440 --> 00:03:23,480 So you don't have a problem lining up. 56 00:03:23,480 --> 00:03:25,480 There's the nose coming up. 57 00:03:29,080 --> 00:03:31,080 And up we go. 58 00:03:35,120 --> 00:03:37,720 Oh, it's lovely. We're airborne. How exciting! 59 00:03:45,160 --> 00:03:47,920 And there we are, climbing up above Loch Lomond. 60 00:03:47,920 --> 00:03:49,920 Oh, wow. 61 00:03:51,440 --> 00:03:54,320 It's so amazing, isn't it? 62 00:04:03,240 --> 00:04:05,520 'Half of Scotland's population 63 00:04:05,520 --> 00:04:08,640 live within an hour's drive of this national park. 64 00:04:10,000 --> 00:04:13,840 Loch Lomond itself is just one of 22 large lochs - 65 00:04:13,840 --> 00:04:15,680 That's Gaelic for 'lake'. 66 00:04:15,680 --> 00:04:18,480 - but it's by far the largest and the deepest.' 67 00:04:18,480 --> 00:04:20,200 How deep is it? 68 00:04:20,200 --> 00:04:23,400 Well, this bit here ahead of us, where it comes into the narrows, 69 00:04:23,400 --> 00:04:25,240 600ft deep. 70 00:04:25,240 --> 00:04:27,080 Gosh. Yes. 71 00:04:28,080 --> 00:04:33,400 'The loch is a massive 24 miles long and has over 40 islands.' 72 00:04:33,400 --> 00:04:37,120 There's only two or three inhabited all year round. 73 00:04:37,120 --> 00:04:38,960 Inchmurrin is one of them. 74 00:04:38,960 --> 00:04:42,360 That's probably why it's got a pub, it's the only one with a pub on it. 75 00:04:42,360 --> 00:04:44,440 And it's got a naturist club on it as well. 76 00:04:44,440 --> 00:04:47,160 So, nude people and drink? 77 00:04:47,160 --> 00:04:50,040 Yeah, which is very brave for Scotland. You know? Yeah. 78 00:04:50,040 --> 00:04:52,760 With the midges and stuff like that. Yeah! 79 00:04:56,040 --> 00:04:59,840 Now, the little island coming up on our left, the one with the hill, 80 00:04:59,840 --> 00:05:01,960 is absolutely stunning. 81 00:05:01,960 --> 00:05:04,560 It's my favourite. It's Inchtavannach. 82 00:05:04,560 --> 00:05:07,320 As you can see, it's like a world within a world. Yeah. 83 00:05:07,320 --> 00:05:11,520 There's the hill, the beautiful forest on it. It's just gorgeous. 84 00:05:11,520 --> 00:05:13,720 Is that a private residence he has there? 85 00:05:13,720 --> 00:05:16,920 In Scotland - this is the wonderful thing about all these islands - 86 00:05:16,920 --> 00:05:18,760 you have the right to roam. 87 00:05:18,760 --> 00:05:22,080 So people are very welcome. There's no trespassing as such. 88 00:05:24,480 --> 00:05:27,600 'Further to the north are the Highlands, 89 00:05:27,600 --> 00:05:32,320 where you'll find 21 mountains that are over 3,000ft high. 90 00:05:35,200 --> 00:05:37,600 The Trossachs in the park's name 91 00:05:37,600 --> 00:05:41,040 refers to the area of glens and hills off to the east.' 92 00:05:42,040 --> 00:05:44,320 It's quite epic, actually, the scenery. 93 00:05:44,320 --> 00:05:47,000 There you go. Oh, God, that's unbelievable. 94 00:05:49,960 --> 00:05:52,640 One moment, it looks quite domestic and quite small. 95 00:05:52,640 --> 00:05:55,840 The next minute, it's really quite grand and takes your breath away. 96 00:05:55,840 --> 00:05:57,720 I think it's the mixture. 97 00:05:57,720 --> 00:06:00,480 You're going from the glen to the loch to the mountain 98 00:06:00,480 --> 00:06:04,440 and of course, in the southern part of the park, you've got Ben Lomond. 99 00:06:10,680 --> 00:06:13,320 'All too soon, my tour is coming to an end, 100 00:06:13,320 --> 00:06:15,800 as David prepares to bring us in to land 101 00:06:15,800 --> 00:06:18,240 on the wettest runway I've ever seen.' 102 00:06:19,240 --> 00:06:22,280 I'm slightly nervous about the landing generally. Oh, don't - 103 00:06:22,280 --> 00:06:25,320 Is it nice? Well, I always try and make the number of landings 104 00:06:25,320 --> 00:06:27,200 equal the number of takeoffs 105 00:06:27,200 --> 00:06:29,040 and I find that works quite well. 106 00:06:45,520 --> 00:06:48,400 Thank you so much. Seriously, it's delightful. Thanks. 107 00:06:48,400 --> 00:06:50,320 It's been a treat. 108 00:06:50,320 --> 00:06:53,520 Now the hard bit - parking. Yeah! 109 00:06:53,520 --> 00:06:56,080 I'd offer to help but it's really not my forte. 110 00:06:57,280 --> 00:06:59,280 Even on dry land. 111 00:07:08,480 --> 00:07:14,400 'Loch Lomond National Park stretches over 700 square miles. 112 00:07:14,400 --> 00:07:16,640 On its outskirts is Inveraray Castle, 113 00:07:16,640 --> 00:07:19,600 ancestral seat of the Campbell clan 114 00:07:20,880 --> 00:07:23,840 Every July, Inveraray hosts its Highland games. 115 00:07:26,160 --> 00:07:28,200 It's the highlight of their year, 116 00:07:28,200 --> 00:07:30,880 a day for the entire community to come together 117 00:07:30,880 --> 00:07:33,680 and take part in a range of traditional events. 118 00:07:35,280 --> 00:07:37,880 ANNOUNCER: 'They're away. Who's it gonna be?' 119 00:07:40,760 --> 00:07:44,040 'Give them a rousing Inveraray welcome as they cross the line.' 120 00:07:45,440 --> 00:07:48,080 'Highland games are held all over Scotland. 121 00:07:48,080 --> 00:07:51,680 It's a great excuse to put on your glad rags and strut your stuff.' 122 00:07:53,480 --> 00:07:56,760 'People have travelled from far and wide to be here.' 123 00:07:56,760 --> 00:07:59,800 I'm from Florida, from Tampa area. 124 00:07:59,800 --> 00:08:03,000 And I'm from New Jersey, near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 125 00:08:03,000 --> 00:08:05,040 So how come you're both here? 126 00:08:05,040 --> 00:08:08,680 We're Campbells! You're Campbells? We're Campbells, yes. 127 00:08:08,680 --> 00:08:13,440 I'm riveted by the clothes. I think they are so beautiful. 128 00:08:13,440 --> 00:08:16,200 That jacket's phenomenal. What sort of tweed is that? 129 00:08:16,200 --> 00:08:18,480 Can I have a look? It's a Harris Tweed jacket. 130 00:08:18,480 --> 00:08:20,760 And look at the colour of it. 131 00:08:20,760 --> 00:08:23,680 I also think women love a man in a kilt. 132 00:08:23,680 --> 00:08:25,720 Do you feel very elegant? 133 00:08:25,720 --> 00:08:29,840 Yeah. Many of us wear kilts on all occasions while we're here. 134 00:08:29,840 --> 00:08:33,160 Could you just tell me - I don't honestly know - what is this? 135 00:08:33,160 --> 00:08:37,640 The bog myrtle. The bog myrtle is the clan plant. 136 00:08:37,640 --> 00:08:41,480 Thank you so much. You're welcome. And you look fabulous. Thank you. 137 00:08:45,600 --> 00:08:48,080 'Wherever in the world you find Scottish people, 138 00:08:48,080 --> 00:08:50,560 you're sure to find a Highland games. 139 00:08:50,560 --> 00:08:54,320 Indeed, these days, the largest games is no longer in Scotland. 140 00:08:54,320 --> 00:08:56,320 It's in California. 141 00:09:00,440 --> 00:09:04,400 It's a chance to celebrate all that's good about being Scottish. 142 00:09:04,400 --> 00:09:06,480 In the hospitality tent, 143 00:09:06,480 --> 00:09:09,640 Bruce Davidson wants me to try some local delicacies. 144 00:09:09,640 --> 00:09:11,680 Well, if he does insist.' 145 00:09:11,680 --> 00:09:15,040 I would recommend you try this one. This is salmon? 146 00:09:15,040 --> 00:09:19,480 Yeah. It was invented 20 years ago by mistake. 147 00:09:19,480 --> 00:09:22,600 They were doing normal smoked salmon and, unfortunately, 148 00:09:22,600 --> 00:09:25,920 the guy in charge of the kiln had a little bit too much to drink, 149 00:09:25,920 --> 00:09:29,360 fell asleep, left that, and it cooked and cooked and cooked. 150 00:09:29,360 --> 00:09:32,080 And then he tasted it - That is delicious. 151 00:09:32,080 --> 00:09:35,360 - and he thought, "This is too good to throw away." 152 00:09:35,360 --> 00:09:39,560 That is absolutely delicious. What's it called? Bradan rost. 153 00:09:39,560 --> 00:09:42,200 Bradan? Bradan, which is Gaelic for 'salmon'. 154 00:09:42,200 --> 00:09:45,400 Just roast salmon? Roasted salmon. Oh, OK. So there you go. 155 00:09:45,400 --> 00:09:49,400 Oh, my God, that's fabulous. Would you serve that cold always? 156 00:09:49,400 --> 00:09:51,960 We do both. In the winter, we serve it as a hot dish 157 00:09:51,960 --> 00:09:53,920 with a whisky sauce. Oh, my God. 158 00:09:53,920 --> 00:09:56,400 And then in the summer, we serve it with salad. 159 00:09:56,400 --> 00:09:58,440 We have a Caesar salad with it. 160 00:09:58,440 --> 00:10:00,440 The other thing - smoked mussels. 161 00:10:00,440 --> 00:10:04,120 These ones have actually been in the kiln, smoked out of the shell. 162 00:10:04,120 --> 00:10:05,920 Can I try one? Please. 163 00:10:07,040 --> 00:10:09,760 Oh, my God, that is delicious. 164 00:10:09,760 --> 00:10:11,760 Kind of moreish. They are. 165 00:10:14,560 --> 00:10:16,400 'At the heart of the games 166 00:10:16,400 --> 00:10:20,440 are the traditional competitions, races and dancing.' 167 00:10:27,800 --> 00:10:31,520 Highland dancing used to be a men-only event 168 00:10:31,520 --> 00:10:34,080 and it was used to show how powerful the men were 169 00:10:34,080 --> 00:10:36,520 and what incredible endurance they had. 170 00:10:36,520 --> 00:10:39,640 Nowadays, it's predominantly women that do it 171 00:10:39,640 --> 00:10:41,840 but I think you can still see 172 00:10:41,840 --> 00:10:44,760 that, actually, it's to show how strong you are. 173 00:10:44,760 --> 00:10:47,040 I mean, look at the way these girls move. 174 00:10:47,040 --> 00:10:50,320 They look absolutely beautiful and delicate 175 00:10:50,320 --> 00:10:54,120 but you can also tell there's a real strength in the way they're moving. 176 00:10:57,440 --> 00:10:59,480 'And they start them early up here. 177 00:10:59,480 --> 00:11:03,320 Girls as young as six years old enter the dancing contests.' 178 00:11:17,760 --> 00:11:20,400 You look so beautiful. 179 00:11:20,400 --> 00:11:22,280 Who makes those? 180 00:11:22,280 --> 00:11:24,920 Betty. Betty makes them? 181 00:11:24,920 --> 00:11:27,720 Did Betty make yours as well? She made mine. 182 00:11:27,720 --> 00:11:30,320 Did she? She's really clever, isn't she? 183 00:11:30,320 --> 00:11:33,400 And your dancing was exceptionally good. 184 00:11:33,400 --> 00:11:36,000 Have you done it for a long time? Yes. 185 00:11:36,000 --> 00:11:38,240 What do you like about it best? 186 00:11:38,240 --> 00:11:40,560 Erm...when I get my medal. 187 00:11:40,560 --> 00:11:43,720 You get medals? Have you won a medal before? Yeah. 188 00:11:43,720 --> 00:11:45,520 Have you? What medal did you win? 189 00:11:45,520 --> 00:11:47,800 Gold, silver and bronze. 190 00:11:47,800 --> 00:11:50,160 That's a lot of medals, isn't it? 191 00:11:50,160 --> 00:11:52,400 Have you ever won a medal? Mm-hm. 192 00:11:52,400 --> 00:11:55,160 Have you? What medal did you win? Same as her. 193 00:11:55,160 --> 00:11:57,320 At the end of your dance, you do a little bow. 194 00:11:57,320 --> 00:11:59,360 Would you both do a little bow for me? Yes. 195 00:12:00,800 --> 00:12:02,640 Thank you. 196 00:12:02,640 --> 00:12:04,480 Thank you, Eva. 197 00:12:04,480 --> 00:12:06,960 Thank you very much. Thank you so much. 198 00:12:06,960 --> 00:12:09,560 Bye-bye - Oh, my darling! 199 00:12:09,560 --> 00:12:11,880 My sweetheart. 200 00:12:18,840 --> 00:12:20,840 . 201 00:12:26,519 --> 00:12:30,959 'I'm visiting Loch Lomond, Scotland's largest national park. 202 00:12:30,959 --> 00:12:34,359 And I've come to Inveraray for their annual Highland games. 203 00:12:37,519 --> 00:12:40,519 The highlight of any games are the heavy events, 204 00:12:40,519 --> 00:12:43,759 where, traditionally, the clans would select the warriors 205 00:12:43,759 --> 00:12:45,719 with the greatest strength.' 206 00:12:46,719 --> 00:12:49,479 It's said that Baron Pierre de Coubertin 207 00:12:49,479 --> 00:12:53,559 saw the Highland games in the Paris Exhibition of 1889. 208 00:12:53,559 --> 00:12:55,679 He was so impressed that he went away 209 00:12:55,679 --> 00:12:58,239 and came up with the idea for the Olympics. 210 00:12:58,239 --> 00:13:01,359 And that's why today, we see so many of the same events - 211 00:13:01,359 --> 00:13:03,519 the shot put, the hammer. 212 00:13:03,519 --> 00:13:05,559 But the one event we don't see - 213 00:13:05,559 --> 00:13:08,079 because, apparently, it was too difficult - 214 00:13:08,079 --> 00:13:10,399 is the tossing of the caber. 215 00:13:10,399 --> 00:13:12,399 Agh! 216 00:13:31,079 --> 00:13:33,119 'The Inveraray Games has the honour 217 00:13:33,119 --> 00:13:36,239 of hosting the world championships of caber-tossing. 218 00:13:37,279 --> 00:13:40,439 Stephen King is a bit of a local hero. 219 00:13:40,439 --> 00:13:43,799 He's won the world title four times.' 220 00:13:43,799 --> 00:13:46,199 Lovely to meet you. 221 00:13:46,199 --> 00:13:49,079 I can't help but notice you've brought a caber along 222 00:13:49,079 --> 00:13:51,359 for me to have a look at. It's incredible. 223 00:13:51,359 --> 00:13:53,199 Yeah. This is a games caber, 224 00:13:53,199 --> 00:13:57,839 so it's about 20'6" long and it weighs about 130lb. 225 00:13:57,839 --> 00:14:00,919 'Caber-tossing has its origin in house building, 226 00:14:00,919 --> 00:14:03,399 where the strongest workers were prized 227 00:14:03,399 --> 00:14:07,719 for their ability to throw wooden beams up to their mates on the roof.' 228 00:14:07,719 --> 00:14:09,799 Does 'caber' mean 'stick'? 229 00:14:09,799 --> 00:14:12,359 A caber is a roof truss. Right. So it's passing it up 230 00:14:12,359 --> 00:14:14,879 and seeing who was the best at passing a roof truss up. 231 00:14:14,879 --> 00:14:17,639 It's not for distance, it's for accuracy, this thing. 232 00:14:17,639 --> 00:14:20,879 So it was to throw it up so you could get it up to build a roof? 233 00:14:20,879 --> 00:14:24,319 It's not brute strength and ignorance. So you say, Stephen. 234 00:14:24,319 --> 00:14:26,399 It is done for accuracy. 235 00:14:26,399 --> 00:14:28,999 And are you a professional athlete? No. 236 00:14:28,999 --> 00:14:31,919 So what do you do for a day job? I drive diggers. 237 00:14:31,919 --> 00:14:33,959 Do you? 238 00:14:33,959 --> 00:14:36,559 So actually, you are involved in building 239 00:14:36,559 --> 00:14:39,919 and you're also symbolically involved with the building trade as well, 240 00:14:39,919 --> 00:14:41,759 in a way. 241 00:14:41,759 --> 00:14:44,119 Let me fantasise that's true, Stephen. 242 00:14:44,119 --> 00:14:46,279 Don't take that away from me. 243 00:14:46,279 --> 00:14:48,359 Perhaps. Thank you. 244 00:14:48,359 --> 00:14:52,079 'The challenge is to throw the caber end over end. 245 00:14:52,079 --> 00:14:55,679 The winner is the man whose caber lands pointing closest 246 00:14:55,679 --> 00:14:58,079 to the direction of 12 o'clock.' 247 00:14:58,079 --> 00:15:00,679 (CHEERING AND APPLAUSE) 248 00:15:00,679 --> 00:15:03,879 I have to just say, Stephen's got a really sticky hand. 249 00:15:03,879 --> 00:15:05,959 I assume this is some sort of resin, is it? 250 00:15:05,959 --> 00:15:08,679 You glue your hands together, cos when you're carrying it, 251 00:15:08,679 --> 00:15:11,119 there's so much weight, your hands just open up. 252 00:15:11,119 --> 00:15:14,119 So you glue your hands shut when you're picking the caber up. 253 00:15:14,119 --> 00:15:17,679 It actually smells...delicious. It's lovely. Yeah. 254 00:15:18,919 --> 00:15:22,039 Can I try it? Can I pick it - That's the light end. 255 00:15:22,039 --> 00:15:24,519 Will it be all right? Will I be able to get it? Yeah. 256 00:15:27,719 --> 00:15:29,759 I can't... 257 00:15:29,759 --> 00:15:32,599 Does it suit me? Yeah? The other end's a lot heavier. 258 00:15:32,599 --> 00:15:35,159 Yeah, I know, I'm saving myself for the other end. 259 00:15:37,679 --> 00:15:39,719 Oh, my God. 260 00:15:39,719 --> 00:15:41,759 Just keep her on the caber. 261 00:15:41,759 --> 00:15:43,799 Hold it. 262 00:15:43,799 --> 00:15:45,839 No, don't - Don't leave it with me! 263 00:15:45,839 --> 00:15:49,599 Don't leave it with me. Don't, Stephen, for Christ's sake, don't. 264 00:15:49,599 --> 00:15:51,639 Now look up. 265 00:15:51,639 --> 00:15:54,319 Oh, my God. This is horrible. 266 00:15:54,319 --> 00:15:57,599 Please don't let go of it, please don't let go of it. 267 00:15:57,599 --> 00:16:00,719 You got it? No, take it! 268 00:16:00,719 --> 00:16:03,839 I don't like it, I really don't like it, Stephen! I don't like it. 269 00:16:03,839 --> 00:16:07,559 Really. What? Please, Stephen, I really don't like it. 270 00:16:07,559 --> 00:16:09,559 This is so - I could kill people. 271 00:16:09,559 --> 00:16:13,399 I could kill you. Stephen, please don't do it! 272 00:16:13,399 --> 00:16:16,359 For God's sake, it's absolutely terrifying. 273 00:16:16,359 --> 00:16:20,079 This is the most horrible thing I've ever done. It's really frightening. 274 00:16:20,079 --> 00:16:22,039 And I've done some quite scary things. 275 00:16:22,039 --> 00:16:23,959 Because when you're looking up here, 276 00:16:23,959 --> 00:16:27,639 it's really horrible and gives you vertigo. And it's incredibly heavy - 277 00:16:27,639 --> 00:16:30,319 You think this is hilarious, really laughing at me. 278 00:16:30,319 --> 00:16:32,159 You're horrible! 279 00:16:32,159 --> 00:16:34,239 I'm gonna try and lift this. 280 00:16:34,239 --> 00:16:36,239 All your might. Go on. 281 00:16:38,039 --> 00:16:40,079 Go on. 282 00:16:40,079 --> 00:16:44,159 If I had a sports bra on, I'd have that up by now! 283 00:16:45,519 --> 00:16:48,719 It's, erm... It's impossible. It's impossible to lift. 284 00:16:48,719 --> 00:16:51,079 But you would lift this, would you? 285 00:16:51,079 --> 00:16:53,119 You're amazing. Yeah. 286 00:16:53,119 --> 00:16:55,559 You are. I've never said that to a man in my life. 287 00:16:55,559 --> 00:16:59,119 No, really, I think you're absolutely incredible, I really do. 288 00:17:01,079 --> 00:17:03,679 'Stephen has retired from caber-tossing 289 00:17:03,679 --> 00:17:05,879 but, as this is his local games, 290 00:17:05,879 --> 00:17:08,559 he's agreed to show me how it should be done.' 291 00:17:30,159 --> 00:17:32,159 Oh, go on! 292 00:17:36,079 --> 00:17:39,519 (CHEERING AND APPLAUSE) CAROLINE: Yes! 293 00:17:46,719 --> 00:17:50,359 Oh, God, you're marvellous. (SQUEALS) 294 00:17:50,359 --> 00:17:53,439 You're marvellous. Thank you so much. 295 00:17:53,439 --> 00:17:55,479 You'll regret that. (SQUEALS) 296 00:17:55,479 --> 00:17:57,479 My hero! 297 00:18:04,519 --> 00:18:08,759 I've had an extraordinary day here at the Highland games in Inveraray. 298 00:18:08,759 --> 00:18:11,719 To be honest, I thought it was just going to be a bunch of cliches. 299 00:18:11,719 --> 00:18:14,839 People throwing things and eating haggis and wearing tartan. 300 00:18:14,839 --> 00:18:19,159 Well, of course, it is all those things but that is the joy of it. 301 00:18:19,159 --> 00:18:22,519 Those traditions are steeped in history 302 00:18:22,519 --> 00:18:24,999 and that is why everybody here 303 00:18:24,999 --> 00:18:28,279 has such a strong emotional attachment to them. 304 00:18:28,279 --> 00:18:31,599 And at the end of the day, I suppose what I really feel 305 00:18:31,599 --> 00:18:33,599 is that I have... 306 00:18:34,919 --> 00:18:36,919 ..clan envy. 307 00:18:53,279 --> 00:18:58,079 'Seven million visitors come here every year to take advantage 308 00:18:58,079 --> 00:19:02,879 of the park's stunning climbing, hiking, camping and sailing. 309 00:19:09,919 --> 00:19:12,839 I've joined Bev Clark and her team of volunteers 310 00:19:12,839 --> 00:19:16,999 to help count the number of bats on the loch's largest island.' 311 00:19:18,239 --> 00:19:21,879 This island is called Inchcailloch. Inchcailloch? Inchcailloch. 312 00:19:21,879 --> 00:19:24,199 It means 'the island of the coweled woman' 313 00:19:24,199 --> 00:19:26,239 because it used to have a nunnery on it. 314 00:19:26,239 --> 00:19:29,119 So nobody lives there now? Nobody lives there now. 315 00:19:29,119 --> 00:19:30,959 All we've got on there is a ranger base 316 00:19:30,959 --> 00:19:34,359 and we have a campsite that can be booked out by members of the public 317 00:19:34,359 --> 00:19:36,199 to go and visit it. 318 00:19:36,199 --> 00:19:39,359 There's semi-wild camping, a compost toilet. Delightful. 319 00:19:41,119 --> 00:19:43,599 'Bev trained as a primary school teacher 320 00:19:43,599 --> 00:19:46,679 but soon realised that her passion lay not in a classroom 321 00:19:46,679 --> 00:19:48,679 but in the great outdoors. 322 00:19:49,879 --> 00:19:51,879 Three times a year, 323 00:19:51,879 --> 00:19:55,159 she and her team monitor the number of bats on Inchcailloch. 324 00:19:58,079 --> 00:20:01,039 I haven't slept in a tent since I was a teenager.' 325 00:20:01,039 --> 00:20:03,679 I can't even open the bag! 326 00:20:03,679 --> 00:20:07,039 Oh, hang on, I've done it. Here we are. 327 00:20:07,039 --> 00:20:09,039 What the hell is that? 328 00:20:11,119 --> 00:20:13,159 Ooh. 329 00:20:13,159 --> 00:20:16,079 Oh, hang on, that looks a bit like a tent. Does it? 330 00:20:16,079 --> 00:20:18,119 Does that look like a tent? Look. 331 00:20:18,119 --> 00:20:20,119 Get in there really fast! 332 00:20:21,079 --> 00:20:23,279 Good night! 333 00:20:23,279 --> 00:20:25,279 Scott, can you help me? 334 00:20:29,559 --> 00:20:31,479 Have you done this loads? 335 00:20:31,479 --> 00:20:33,759 No, 12 years ago was the last time I camped. 336 00:20:33,759 --> 00:20:35,599 12 years? 337 00:20:35,599 --> 00:20:38,919 I was 18 the last time I did it, so that's about 12 years ago as well. 338 00:20:38,919 --> 00:20:40,959 Fantastic! 339 00:20:40,959 --> 00:20:44,159 Not laughing at me, Scott? No, no. 340 00:20:51,759 --> 00:20:55,719 'Inchcailloch is a haven for wildlife. 341 00:20:55,719 --> 00:21:00,599 As well as bats, pine martens, deer and otters can be found here. 342 00:21:00,599 --> 00:21:04,399 It's also a site of geological significance.' 343 00:21:05,479 --> 00:21:07,519 Millions of years ago, 344 00:21:07,519 --> 00:21:11,759 two tectonic plates came together exactly here. 345 00:21:11,759 --> 00:21:15,279 So technically, here on Inchcailloch, 346 00:21:15,279 --> 00:21:19,999 you can stand with one leg to the south in the Lowlands 347 00:21:19,999 --> 00:21:23,639 and one leg to the north in the Highlands. 348 00:21:32,719 --> 00:21:36,839 'As dusk falls, it's time to get on with the survey. 349 00:21:36,839 --> 00:21:39,679 The bat colony lives in a custom-built box 350 00:21:39,679 --> 00:21:42,679 in the walls of the island's ranger station. 351 00:21:42,679 --> 00:21:44,839 It's important to count the bats 352 00:21:44,839 --> 00:21:47,719 because a decent sized population is a good sign 353 00:21:47,719 --> 00:21:50,199 that the local environment is healthy.' 354 00:21:50,199 --> 00:21:52,959 (SQUEAKING) I can hear them but I can't see them. 355 00:21:52,959 --> 00:21:54,799 No. This is what we call chittering. 356 00:21:54,799 --> 00:21:57,759 So this is them having a bit of a conversation, having a wee chat, 357 00:21:57,759 --> 00:22:00,159 asking each other how they're doing, you know, 358 00:22:00,159 --> 00:22:02,679 what their plans are for the evening, stuff like that. 359 00:22:02,679 --> 00:22:05,159 They're getting themselves ready to come out. 360 00:22:05,159 --> 00:22:07,359 And what sort of bats will we be seeing tonight? 361 00:22:07,359 --> 00:22:09,399 These are called pipistrelle bats. 362 00:22:09,399 --> 00:22:11,479 Are they the smallest of the bat species? 363 00:22:11,479 --> 00:22:14,359 They're pretty much the smallest that we get in this country. 364 00:22:14,359 --> 00:22:16,199 They're very tiny. 365 00:22:16,199 --> 00:22:17,919 They weigh the same as a 20p piece 366 00:22:17,919 --> 00:22:20,079 and they're about the size of your thumb. 367 00:22:20,079 --> 00:22:22,359 'Their bodies may be tiny 368 00:22:22,359 --> 00:22:26,359 but their wingspan is wider than an outstretched hand. 369 00:22:26,359 --> 00:22:29,279 Despite their reputation as vermin, 370 00:22:29,279 --> 00:22:31,999 bats are actually more closely related to us humans 371 00:22:31,999 --> 00:22:33,799 than they are to mice.' 372 00:22:34,799 --> 00:22:37,399 You're gonna have a clicker. Oh, OK, yeah. 373 00:22:37,399 --> 00:22:40,679 And every time you see one come out, you're gonna click. OK. 374 00:22:40,679 --> 00:22:42,519 Do I stand here to do that? 375 00:22:42,519 --> 00:22:44,519 No, I think we'll stand over there 376 00:22:44,519 --> 00:22:47,279 because as the bats come out, they go to the toilet. 377 00:22:47,279 --> 00:22:49,119 I'm going to go down there. 378 00:22:49,119 --> 00:22:51,639 If they wee on you, it doesn't smell very nice. 379 00:22:52,919 --> 00:22:57,479 'Once in the safety zone, Bev introduces me to her secret weapon - 380 00:22:57,479 --> 00:22:59,519 the bat detector.' 381 00:22:59,519 --> 00:23:01,839 So, basically what the bat detector does 382 00:23:01,839 --> 00:23:04,039 is it just picks up the sound that they make 383 00:23:04,039 --> 00:23:06,399 and makes it into a sound that we can hear. 384 00:23:06,399 --> 00:23:08,439 (CRACKLING) 385 00:23:08,439 --> 00:23:11,319 That the chittering because that's quite low-frequency. 386 00:23:11,319 --> 00:23:14,799 I like that, it's like a baby monitor. Yes! 387 00:23:15,879 --> 00:23:18,199 'The bats are so quick and so small, 388 00:23:18,199 --> 00:23:20,999 that it would be impossible to count them on your own. 389 00:23:20,999 --> 00:23:23,039 That's why Bev's team of volunteers 390 00:23:23,039 --> 00:23:25,759 are strategically placed to cover every angle.' 391 00:23:27,319 --> 00:23:31,279 Bev, can anybody be a volunteer for the national parks? 392 00:23:31,279 --> 00:23:33,239 Absolutely. Any of the national parks, 393 00:23:33,239 --> 00:23:35,119 they'll have a volunteer programme. 394 00:23:35,119 --> 00:23:38,559 And a lot of these organisations, particularly the national parks, 395 00:23:38,559 --> 00:23:40,439 we couldn't do half the work that we do 396 00:23:40,439 --> 00:23:42,279 without the work of the volunteers. 397 00:23:42,279 --> 00:23:45,879 That was what John Muir, the grandfather of national parks, 398 00:23:45,879 --> 00:23:48,679 who helped create national parks in America, 399 00:23:48,679 --> 00:23:50,759 that's what his vision was. 400 00:23:50,759 --> 00:23:53,319 It's a space where people are meant to go, 401 00:23:53,319 --> 00:23:56,159 meant to be involved in, meant to have fun in, 402 00:23:56,159 --> 00:23:59,279 and just get into the outdoors and appreciate it. 403 00:24:00,359 --> 00:24:02,199 Wahey, here we go. We've got one? 404 00:24:02,199 --> 00:24:04,239 Yep. Right, quick. Oh. 405 00:24:04,239 --> 00:24:06,639 (CHITTERING) That was one. 406 00:24:06,639 --> 00:24:08,599 (CHITTERING) 407 00:24:08,599 --> 00:24:10,839 A couple will come out first to check things out. 408 00:24:10,839 --> 00:24:12,799 Are they scouting round to have a look? 409 00:24:12,799 --> 00:24:14,679 Yeah, seeing what the weather's like. 410 00:24:14,679 --> 00:24:17,079 See if there's anyone out there counting. Yeah! 411 00:24:19,759 --> 00:24:21,799 (CHITTERING) 412 00:24:21,799 --> 00:24:24,079 So that's their echo location. 413 00:24:24,079 --> 00:24:27,279 That's them navigating and starting to hunt. 414 00:24:27,279 --> 00:24:29,319 'A single pipistrelle bat 415 00:24:29,319 --> 00:24:32,799 can consume up to 3,000 insects in one night.' 416 00:24:33,799 --> 00:24:35,679 Another one. 417 00:24:35,679 --> 00:24:38,879 There's something really satisfying about this. How weird. 418 00:24:38,879 --> 00:24:41,759 It is, it's addictive. It's so satisfying. Just addictive. 419 00:24:41,759 --> 00:24:44,279 (CHITTERING) Hear that? Hear that? 420 00:24:46,519 --> 00:24:48,519 (CHITTERING) 421 00:24:51,239 --> 00:24:54,279 (You can never relax on this bat thing.) (No.) 422 00:24:54,279 --> 00:24:58,319 (Every fibre of my being is tensed towards there.) 423 00:24:59,959 --> 00:25:03,639 'And this monitoring business is not without its risks.' 424 00:25:03,639 --> 00:25:05,679 Whoo! 425 00:25:05,679 --> 00:25:08,159 Oh, my God, did that one come straight at you? 426 00:25:08,159 --> 00:25:10,599 Did it fly at you? Did it get you? 427 00:25:10,599 --> 00:25:13,319 Did it fly right at you, Stewart? It bit my own. 428 00:25:13,319 --> 00:25:15,359 Did it?! 429 00:25:15,359 --> 00:25:17,359 Oh, fantastic. 430 00:25:17,359 --> 00:25:19,999 Beverly having assured me that they never fly at you, 431 00:25:19,999 --> 00:25:21,839 they could never touch you, 432 00:25:21,839 --> 00:25:25,279 one's just landed on Stewart's arm and made him jump and swear. 433 00:25:26,199 --> 00:25:27,919 There's one. 434 00:25:27,919 --> 00:25:33,799 What's incredible is that standing here, in the dusk, in the quiet, 435 00:25:33,799 --> 00:25:36,319 with a load of people I have never met before 436 00:25:36,319 --> 00:25:39,119 is one of the most enjoyable things I have ever done. 437 00:25:39,119 --> 00:25:40,959 Who knew? 438 00:25:40,959 --> 00:25:43,319 Honestly, who needs bingo? 439 00:25:43,319 --> 00:25:45,439 Yeah! Ooh! 440 00:25:46,519 --> 00:25:50,399 Oh, they're all - Oh, my God. (BEV LAUGHS) 441 00:25:50,399 --> 00:25:54,439 By the time it's dark, all of the bats have left the roost. 442 00:25:54,439 --> 00:25:56,959 Bev finds out how many each of us have counted 443 00:25:56,959 --> 00:25:58,959 and will calculate an average. 444 00:25:59,879 --> 00:26:03,119 So, we'll just take a final count, OK? 445 00:26:03,119 --> 00:26:06,279 So, we'll start off with Emily. 66. 446 00:26:06,279 --> 00:26:08,279 Stevie? 68. 447 00:26:08,279 --> 00:26:11,439 Caroline? Darling, erm...63 bats. 448 00:26:11,439 --> 00:26:14,639 63, thank you very much. Mark? 56. 449 00:26:14,639 --> 00:26:18,279 I got 63, Emily got 68. Is that a good number? 450 00:26:18,279 --> 00:26:20,719 That's a good number for this little spot. 451 00:26:47,119 --> 00:26:51,319 I was talking to Bev this morning at about 5:30 and, erm... 452 00:26:51,319 --> 00:26:55,559 she was telling me how a lot of people that come here to the island 453 00:26:55,559 --> 00:26:59,959 find it, erm...incredibly healing. 454 00:27:01,079 --> 00:27:02,959 And, er... 455 00:27:02,959 --> 00:27:06,879 I can really see how that's the case. Erm... 456 00:27:09,519 --> 00:27:12,559 My mum, my little mum, 457 00:27:12,559 --> 00:27:16,759 er...Katie, erm...died about two weeks ago 458 00:27:16,759 --> 00:27:20,479 and I spent a lot of last night thinking about her. 459 00:27:21,879 --> 00:27:25,399 And, erm...of course I'm sad 460 00:27:25,399 --> 00:27:29,319 but, actually, this place is really special 461 00:27:29,319 --> 00:27:32,719 and it does wonderful things, nature. 462 00:27:32,719 --> 00:27:35,399 It really puts things in perspective. 463 00:27:35,399 --> 00:27:37,799 And so, erm... 464 00:27:37,799 --> 00:27:41,879 I just want to say, "Cheers, Katie. You'd have loved it here." 465 00:27:58,039 --> 00:28:00,039 . 466 00:28:02,202 --> 00:28:03,882 . 467 00:28:08,602 --> 00:28:11,642 'Scotland is a birdwatcher's paradise. 468 00:28:11,642 --> 00:28:13,922 61 protected bird species 469 00:28:13,922 --> 00:28:16,842 can be found in Loch Lomond and the Trossachs, 470 00:28:16,842 --> 00:28:22,002 including ospreys, golden eagles and peregrine falcons.' 471 00:28:22,002 --> 00:28:25,562 I've always been a bit of a birder since the age of 11. 472 00:28:25,562 --> 00:28:28,842 I was a member of the Young Ornithologist Club. 473 00:28:28,842 --> 00:28:32,682 So I'm absolutely thrilled today to be going to witness 474 00:28:32,682 --> 00:28:36,322 some of the work of some local conservation people, 475 00:28:36,322 --> 00:28:41,482 some guys that work very closely with the owls here in this national park. 476 00:28:41,482 --> 00:28:45,922 'Stephen Kenney is one of the park's 40 full-time rangers. 477 00:28:45,922 --> 00:28:48,962 He quit a 14-year career as an engineer 478 00:28:48,962 --> 00:28:51,802 to pursue his dream of working in Loch Lomond. 479 00:28:51,802 --> 00:28:54,202 He's now responsible for a project 480 00:28:54,202 --> 00:28:57,202 that aims to protect the barn owl population 481 00:28:57,202 --> 00:29:00,642 by placing special nesting boxes around the park.' 482 00:29:00,642 --> 00:29:02,642 Why do they need boxes? 483 00:29:02,642 --> 00:29:06,082 There aren't as many barns as you would imagine there used to be. 484 00:29:06,082 --> 00:29:09,322 People move to the countryside, they all want to have a house - 485 00:29:09,322 --> 00:29:11,722 People are living in their barns, basically? 486 00:29:11,722 --> 00:29:13,562 Basically, barn conversions happen. 487 00:29:13,562 --> 00:29:16,442 Therefore, their natural - as their name would suggest - 488 00:29:16,442 --> 00:29:18,282 place where they go to roost, 489 00:29:18,282 --> 00:29:20,682 there aren't as many opportunities anymore. 490 00:29:22,162 --> 00:29:24,202 'On top of this, intensive farming 491 00:29:24,202 --> 00:29:26,762 has destroyed their normal hunting grounds. 492 00:29:27,682 --> 00:29:31,122 But these lucky barn owls have found themselves a roost 493 00:29:31,122 --> 00:29:35,322 in the grounds of one of Scotland's most exclusive golf courses.' 494 00:29:38,362 --> 00:29:40,082 And the golf club approached us 495 00:29:40,082 --> 00:29:42,122 and asked if we could put up a box for them 496 00:29:42,122 --> 00:29:45,082 because their members were interested in the wildlife as well. 497 00:29:45,082 --> 00:29:47,242 And it's quite a prestigious golf course, 498 00:29:47,242 --> 00:29:50,002 so human disturbance is kept to an absolute minimum. 499 00:29:50,002 --> 00:29:51,922 So this is a barn owl's heaven. 500 00:29:51,922 --> 00:29:54,562 During the first year, we had no any interest whatsoever 501 00:29:54,562 --> 00:29:56,682 but now we know we've got five eggs in there 502 00:29:56,682 --> 00:29:59,322 and today, we're going to go over and have a little look. 503 00:30:00,882 --> 00:30:03,842 'By now, the eggs should have hatched. 504 00:30:06,602 --> 00:30:10,042 Adult barn owls spend most of their time out hunting, 505 00:30:10,042 --> 00:30:14,122 so this is a good chance for us to nip in and see what's in the box. 506 00:30:19,762 --> 00:30:22,202 To help us are Will and Mike.' 507 00:30:22,202 --> 00:30:25,722 You could foot the ladder for us. That would be great. 508 00:30:31,162 --> 00:30:33,202 There's four chicks. 509 00:30:33,202 --> 00:30:35,722 (GASPS) Four, lovely! Various sizes. 510 00:30:35,722 --> 00:30:38,682 I'll bring one down just now. Look at its little legs! 511 00:30:38,682 --> 00:30:41,322 Look at its little legs! 512 00:30:41,322 --> 00:30:43,482 It's a tiny, tiny barn owl. 513 00:30:43,482 --> 00:30:47,042 They are not the most attractive of little birds but - You say that. 514 00:30:47,042 --> 00:30:50,122 Oh, my God. Oh, my God. 515 00:30:50,122 --> 00:30:52,442 Always point its rear end away from you 516 00:30:52,442 --> 00:30:54,882 because it can decorate your clothing. 517 00:30:56,522 --> 00:30:58,882 Are you going to give me a bit of icing? 518 00:30:58,882 --> 00:31:00,922 (Look at its face.) 519 00:31:00,922 --> 00:31:03,242 Isn't it amazing? 520 00:31:03,242 --> 00:31:06,642 Its back, this is like dandelion fur. 521 00:31:06,642 --> 00:31:08,682 (I'm gonna put it in here, OK?) 522 00:31:08,682 --> 00:31:11,362 Just lay it down there. It'll be all right. 523 00:31:11,362 --> 00:31:14,362 'Next down is its older sibling.' 524 00:31:17,922 --> 00:31:19,962 Look at you! 525 00:31:19,962 --> 00:31:21,962 Little dodo face. 526 00:31:22,962 --> 00:31:24,962 Oh! 527 00:31:24,962 --> 00:31:27,322 These things happen. It's decorated Steve. 528 00:31:27,322 --> 00:31:29,362 Come on, let's put you with your family. 529 00:31:29,362 --> 00:31:31,762 Oh, my God, bless it. 530 00:31:33,562 --> 00:31:36,042 There we go. What have you brought down this time? 531 00:31:36,042 --> 00:31:37,962 This one's a bit more developed. 532 00:31:37,962 --> 00:31:39,802 You can actually start to see 533 00:31:39,802 --> 00:31:42,802 some proper feathers developing just here. Oh, yeah, you can. 534 00:31:42,802 --> 00:31:45,442 You see the little brown feathers at the end? 535 00:31:45,442 --> 00:31:47,282 Let me see your face. 536 00:31:47,282 --> 00:31:51,122 Oh, now, look. How old is this one, Steve? This one's about five weeks. 537 00:31:52,722 --> 00:31:54,882 'It can take up to three weeks 538 00:31:54,882 --> 00:31:58,002 for a whole clutch of barn owl eggs to hatch, 539 00:31:58,002 --> 00:32:01,602 which is why these chicks vary so wildly in size.' 540 00:32:01,602 --> 00:32:04,202 Bit of a difference, isn't there? It's incredible. 541 00:32:04,202 --> 00:32:06,882 This is looking quite... Quite owlish. 542 00:32:07,962 --> 00:32:11,722 Hello. You are not affronted by me, are you? 543 00:32:11,722 --> 00:32:13,562 (God, isn't it divine?) 544 00:32:13,562 --> 00:32:17,082 You are lucky, you've got the best job in the world. 545 00:32:17,082 --> 00:32:19,122 Haven't you? 546 00:32:19,122 --> 00:32:24,122 'As part of their work, Stephen and the team tag every new hatchling. 547 00:32:24,122 --> 00:32:26,922 Luckily for me, it's a two-person job.' 548 00:32:28,282 --> 00:32:30,322 We're going to put a ring on you now. 549 00:32:30,322 --> 00:32:32,522 That doesn't mean we're married. Or does it? 550 00:32:33,842 --> 00:32:35,922 It won't hurt it at all, will it? No. 551 00:32:37,802 --> 00:32:41,402 It feels almost as if it's gone to sleep in my hands. 552 00:32:41,402 --> 00:32:44,162 It's kind of a natural defence mechanism. 553 00:32:44,162 --> 00:32:46,282 They kind of tend to do that. 554 00:32:46,282 --> 00:32:48,362 "If I stay still and close my eyes, 555 00:32:48,362 --> 00:32:50,882 you won't do anything to me," kind of thing. 556 00:32:51,962 --> 00:32:54,042 If only life were that simple, Steve. 557 00:32:54,042 --> 00:32:55,882 Yes! 558 00:32:55,882 --> 00:32:59,042 So, really, it's something it does to save itself, is it? Yeah. 559 00:32:59,042 --> 00:33:00,922 Pretends to be dead? Yeah. 560 00:33:00,922 --> 00:33:04,362 Don't be afraid. Gosh, it looks absolutely brutal, but it's fine. 561 00:33:04,362 --> 00:33:07,402 There we go. Job done. There you are, darling, you're done. 562 00:33:08,962 --> 00:33:10,962 Right, there you go. That's two. 563 00:33:13,322 --> 00:33:16,362 'The biggest chick is already beginning to show 564 00:33:16,362 --> 00:33:19,162 the hallmark dish face of an adult barn owl.' 565 00:33:20,722 --> 00:33:24,322 I've always thought their ears were the tufts on top of their heads. 566 00:33:24,322 --> 00:33:26,482 No. They've actually got ear apertures, 567 00:33:26,482 --> 00:33:28,522 kind of asymmetrical, on their face. 568 00:33:28,522 --> 00:33:31,202 And the shape of the face is kind of like our earlobe 569 00:33:31,202 --> 00:33:33,482 that directs the sound into your inner ear, 570 00:33:33,482 --> 00:33:35,602 so their face is doing much the same thing. 571 00:33:35,602 --> 00:33:37,482 Because the holes are offset, 572 00:33:37,482 --> 00:33:41,082 it allows them to focus in on the voles, which are in the deep grass. 573 00:33:41,082 --> 00:33:44,602 They tend to use their hearing more than they do their eyesight. 574 00:33:44,602 --> 00:33:47,402 How incredible. So the little dish face helps it feed? 575 00:33:47,402 --> 00:33:49,562 Yeah. Focuses the sound. 576 00:33:49,562 --> 00:33:52,122 Goodbye, my darlings. Goodbye. 577 00:33:53,162 --> 00:33:55,162 Fast asleep. Fast asleep. 578 00:33:56,122 --> 00:33:58,602 Ooh! Right, I guess we should get them back in the box. 579 00:33:58,602 --> 00:34:00,402 Get them back home. 580 00:34:12,362 --> 00:34:16,122 'It's good to know that Stephen and his team are doing all they can 581 00:34:16,122 --> 00:34:19,162 to protect this park's barn owl population.' 582 00:34:28,242 --> 00:34:31,762 Over half of Loch Lomond and the Trossachs is used as farmland 583 00:34:31,762 --> 00:34:33,522 and nothing sums up this area 584 00:34:33,522 --> 00:34:38,482 like the sight of those great big, shaggy, long-horned Highland cattle. 585 00:34:48,922 --> 00:34:51,882 '30 years ago, Hilary Barker came to Scotland 586 00:34:51,882 --> 00:34:54,242 to start a new life as a farmer.' 587 00:34:55,762 --> 00:34:57,802 It's my good boy. Come on, then. 588 00:34:57,802 --> 00:35:00,122 'She now has 50 Highland cows 589 00:35:00,122 --> 00:35:03,042 but today, after two happy years, 590 00:35:03,042 --> 00:35:07,082 it's time for Stewart the bull to move on to a new home.' 591 00:35:07,082 --> 00:35:11,802 He's three years old but we do have too many females related to him, 592 00:35:11,802 --> 00:35:13,842 so we have a new bull 593 00:35:13,842 --> 00:35:16,362 and I'm afraid he goes on to somewhere else. 594 00:35:16,362 --> 00:35:19,162 There's a good boy. (MOOS) 595 00:35:19,162 --> 00:35:21,802 Yes, I know. Come on. 596 00:35:21,802 --> 00:35:25,122 Come on. Come on, we've got to go and get you looking beautiful 597 00:35:25,122 --> 00:35:26,962 for your lady friends. 598 00:35:26,962 --> 00:35:30,922 Right, Stewart, we're going to give you a nice soak just to start with. 599 00:35:30,922 --> 00:35:34,602 Now, don't worry, you've had this done before. There's a good boy. 600 00:35:34,602 --> 00:35:36,722 Yes, I know the water's a bit cold. 601 00:35:39,242 --> 00:35:42,442 Now that you're nice and wet, Stewart, we can get the shampoo on. 602 00:35:52,362 --> 00:35:55,762 'Stewart's makeover doesn't stop with a simple shampoo.' 603 00:35:55,762 --> 00:36:00,002 As one knows, conditioner makes hair more easily manageable, doesn't it? 604 00:36:01,722 --> 00:36:05,202 So it'll just help the coat lie nicely 605 00:36:05,202 --> 00:36:07,242 and maybe give it a bit of extra gloss. 606 00:36:08,922 --> 00:36:10,922 Smells nice. 607 00:36:14,162 --> 00:36:17,442 'Stewart seems to have enjoyed his treatment so far. 608 00:36:17,442 --> 00:36:19,642 But Hilary's not done yet.' 609 00:36:21,522 --> 00:36:23,522 I think he rather likes this. 610 00:36:27,282 --> 00:36:30,082 'Going anywhere nice on your holidays, Stewart? 611 00:36:35,562 --> 00:36:39,002 The final touch is a horn manicure.' 612 00:36:41,362 --> 00:36:43,762 Right, so now I'll put some oil on. 613 00:36:44,962 --> 00:36:47,642 It's good for my hands as well, so I like this bit. 614 00:36:52,282 --> 00:36:57,042 'With Stewart looking fabulous, it's time for Hilary to say farewell.' 615 00:36:58,202 --> 00:37:00,242 Good boy. 616 00:37:00,242 --> 00:37:02,602 Well, Stewart, it's goodbye, my boy. 617 00:37:02,602 --> 00:37:05,842 Yes, I know, you've been a lovely bull here 618 00:37:05,842 --> 00:37:08,922 and you're going to be very, very happy in your new home. 619 00:37:08,922 --> 00:37:10,882 On an island. 620 00:37:10,882 --> 00:37:13,042 You big, soft lump, I'll miss you. 621 00:37:13,042 --> 00:37:15,522 You won't miss me but I'll miss you. 622 00:37:17,962 --> 00:37:22,202 I am sorry to see him go but I know he's going to a good home 623 00:37:22,202 --> 00:37:25,282 and you can't keep animals for ever. 624 00:37:25,282 --> 00:37:27,282 You can't keep bulls for ever. 625 00:37:36,642 --> 00:37:39,800 . 626 00:37:47,160 --> 00:37:51,040 'Loch Lomond is the largest freshwater lake in Britain. 627 00:37:51,040 --> 00:37:54,200 Unsurprising when you consider the weather.' 628 00:37:54,200 --> 00:37:56,200 (THUNDERCLAP) 629 00:37:58,640 --> 00:38:01,920 'In fact, Scotland's highest ever rainfall 630 00:38:01,920 --> 00:38:04,680 was recorded here in 1974.' 631 00:38:11,080 --> 00:38:14,160 Sadly, one of the things I really wanted to do whilst I was up here 632 00:38:14,160 --> 00:38:16,520 was to go swimming in the loch. 633 00:38:16,520 --> 00:38:18,880 Looking at the weather... 634 00:38:19,920 --> 00:38:22,360 ..I think that's exactly what I'm going to do 635 00:38:22,360 --> 00:38:24,800 and I've met a man who's going to come with me. 636 00:38:27,440 --> 00:38:29,920 '39-year-old park ranger Matt Drew 637 00:38:29,920 --> 00:38:33,280 quit London for the tranquillity of Loch Lomond 638 00:38:33,280 --> 00:38:37,400 and has become famous around here for taking a dip. 639 00:38:37,400 --> 00:38:39,400 Whatever the conditions.' 640 00:38:40,760 --> 00:38:42,600 Hi. 641 00:38:42,600 --> 00:38:46,080 You're the man to come to if I want to swim in the loch, I hear. Yeah. 642 00:38:46,080 --> 00:38:49,920 And you swim in the loch most days? If I get the opportunity, yeah. 643 00:38:49,920 --> 00:38:52,320 I try and pop out at lunchtime if I'm out the office. 644 00:38:52,320 --> 00:38:55,400 Is that just in the summer? You can start early springtime 645 00:38:55,400 --> 00:38:58,760 if the weather's being good, there's not much snow on the hills, 646 00:38:58,760 --> 00:39:00,920 sort of starting maybe April time. 647 00:39:00,920 --> 00:39:02,840 If there's a lot of snow on the hills 648 00:39:02,840 --> 00:39:05,640 and the snow melts into the loch, it's pretty cold. 649 00:39:05,640 --> 00:39:08,560 I like swimming but I'm used to swimming more indoors. 650 00:39:08,560 --> 00:39:10,960 Why do you like wild swimming in particular? 651 00:39:10,960 --> 00:39:13,840 I'd say it's the difference between being on a road bike 652 00:39:13,840 --> 00:39:15,800 and going mountain biking. 653 00:39:15,800 --> 00:39:17,520 Especially when you get out 654 00:39:17,520 --> 00:39:20,160 and all the blood comes back to your extremities, 655 00:39:20,160 --> 00:39:22,200 you will feel really good, it's great. 656 00:39:22,200 --> 00:39:24,560 Have you taken the temperature of the loch lately? 657 00:39:24,560 --> 00:39:26,400 Just last week, I was in. 658 00:39:26,400 --> 00:39:28,640 And what do you think it might be today? 659 00:39:28,640 --> 00:39:30,720 Er...14, 15? 660 00:39:33,040 --> 00:39:36,480 'That's a bit cooler than my local swimming pool. 661 00:39:36,480 --> 00:39:39,000 Most pools are about 29 C. 662 00:39:40,360 --> 00:39:44,040 It's thought that Loch Lomond was formed some 10,000 years ago 663 00:39:44,040 --> 00:39:46,200 by a huge glacier. 664 00:39:47,440 --> 00:39:50,560 In places, it's deeper than the North Sea.' 665 00:39:54,160 --> 00:39:57,480 Yes...it is quite chilly. 666 00:39:57,480 --> 00:39:59,240 Getting chillier. 667 00:40:00,480 --> 00:40:02,520 So, Matt? Yeah? 668 00:40:02,520 --> 00:40:05,040 It actually is quite chilly here 669 00:40:05,040 --> 00:40:09,280 but I'm assuming that my body will adjust gradually. Is that right?! 670 00:40:09,280 --> 00:40:12,240 Yeah, I mean they do say to get used to the cold water, 671 00:40:12,240 --> 00:40:14,520 you should just go for ten minutes at a time, 672 00:40:14,520 --> 00:40:16,600 get your body used to the cold. 673 00:40:19,520 --> 00:40:21,800 'Did I mention it's pouring with rain?' 674 00:40:23,440 --> 00:40:26,560 I don't know what's colder, the rain or the loch. 675 00:40:26,560 --> 00:40:29,840 Actually, the water temperature doesn't feel too bad, does it? 676 00:40:29,840 --> 00:40:31,920 Compared to what? 677 00:40:31,920 --> 00:40:34,720 I'm so glad I'm not on my own. I know it sounds ridiculous 678 00:40:34,720 --> 00:40:36,840 but I think I feel warmer cos I'm with you. 679 00:40:36,840 --> 00:40:39,160 If you go out to sort of waist depth 680 00:40:39,160 --> 00:40:42,680 and then just swim along the shore this way. All right. 681 00:40:42,680 --> 00:40:46,640 You're in shallowish water. Not too bad. 682 00:40:46,640 --> 00:40:49,720 It's really raining now. The bit I'm scared about is this bit. 683 00:40:51,200 --> 00:40:53,040 What do you do? It's this bit here. 684 00:40:53,040 --> 00:40:57,520 Oh, crikey, that's co-o-o-old! 685 00:40:57,520 --> 00:41:00,200 That's really cold. It is a bit chilly, isn't it? 686 00:41:00,200 --> 00:41:02,120 Ooh! Right. I might just - 687 00:41:02,120 --> 00:41:05,520 # I'll take the high road and you take the low road 688 00:41:05,520 --> 00:41:09,440 # And I'll be in Scotland afore ye! # 689 00:41:09,440 --> 00:41:12,800 Ooh! That's cold. Are you OK? Yes, I'm great. 690 00:41:12,800 --> 00:41:14,840 I'm with you. Let's go for it. 691 00:41:27,880 --> 00:41:31,440 I was slightly dreading this, I have to be honest. Could you tell? 692 00:41:31,440 --> 00:41:35,080 But now I'm in, it is incredibly invigorating. 693 00:41:35,080 --> 00:41:37,680 And the water is so clear... 694 00:41:37,680 --> 00:41:39,680 and so beautiful. 695 00:41:40,680 --> 00:41:45,040 I can only imagine on a summer's day, this would be truly delightful. 696 00:41:45,040 --> 00:41:48,360 This is a summer's day. It is, it's July! 697 00:41:49,360 --> 00:41:53,400 But even on a cold and drizzly day... 698 00:41:53,400 --> 00:41:55,800 it's incredibly satisfying. 699 00:41:55,800 --> 00:41:57,840 And, erm... 700 00:41:57,840 --> 00:42:01,480 and actually, I'm really glad I braved it and got into the water 701 00:42:01,480 --> 00:42:05,520 because there was a moment there, Matt, where I could have run away. 702 00:42:05,520 --> 00:42:07,200 (LAUGHS) 703 00:42:30,840 --> 00:42:32,920 'There really is something for everyone 704 00:42:32,920 --> 00:42:34,840 in Loch Lomond National Park. 705 00:42:34,840 --> 00:42:38,600 But I'm particularly keen to experience the nightlife. 706 00:42:41,320 --> 00:42:46,240 Ledard Farm has been hosting clan gatherings for over 400 years. 707 00:42:49,080 --> 00:42:52,640 It's said that legendary outlaw Rob Roy 708 00:42:52,640 --> 00:42:55,560 had his coming-of-age celebration here. 709 00:42:56,560 --> 00:43:00,200 I've been invited to one of the farm's regular ceilidhs, 710 00:43:00,200 --> 00:43:03,000 hosted by farmer and musician Fergus Wood. 711 00:43:04,120 --> 00:43:06,160 You wanna come behind the bar? 712 00:43:06,160 --> 00:43:08,200 I'm serving drinks. 713 00:43:08,200 --> 00:43:10,240 It's lovely to meet you. Hello. 714 00:43:10,240 --> 00:43:12,800 Good to see you. Thank you so much for inviting me. 715 00:43:13,880 --> 00:43:16,680 What a ceilidh is, basically, it's a party amongst friends. 716 00:43:16,680 --> 00:43:18,600 They can vary from just being a dance 717 00:43:18,600 --> 00:43:21,560 or it can be a ceilidh where everyone makes a contribution. 718 00:43:21,560 --> 00:43:24,120 You could be telling a story, you could be singing, 719 00:43:24,120 --> 00:43:27,600 you could be dancing, you could be playing an instrument, whatever. 720 00:43:27,600 --> 00:43:29,680 'Tonight's ceilidh is all about dancing 721 00:43:29,680 --> 00:43:34,160 and Fergus has some last-minute tips for a newcomer like me.' 722 00:43:34,160 --> 00:43:37,320 The secret of ceilidh dancing is to dance to the music. 723 00:43:37,320 --> 00:43:40,440 Enjoy the music and dance to the tempo. OK. You know? 724 00:43:40,440 --> 00:43:44,080 We show you how to do it. I'll call it, like a square dance. Uh-huh. 725 00:43:44,080 --> 00:43:47,720 And don't invent the dance. Just don't do my own choreography? 726 00:43:47,720 --> 00:43:50,640 No, just rely on me and the people you're dancing with. 727 00:43:50,640 --> 00:43:53,840 Do your choreography and not my own choreography? Absolutely. 728 00:43:53,840 --> 00:43:57,320 'It's Fergus' job to direct the dancing.' 729 00:43:57,320 --> 00:44:01,240 Grab yourself a partner and form two double lines. Two double lines? 730 00:44:01,240 --> 00:44:03,720 'If you've not danced a ceilidh before, 731 00:44:03,720 --> 00:44:06,280 it's worth listening very carefully.' 732 00:44:06,280 --> 00:44:09,080 Anyone that's not sure of the dance, let me explain it to you. 733 00:44:09,080 --> 00:44:13,400 The dance opens with the top couple swinging for 16 beats. Swinging. 734 00:44:13,400 --> 00:44:17,040 We go round and... we come together again. 735 00:44:17,040 --> 00:44:20,360 This dance gets very, very busy. 736 00:44:20,360 --> 00:44:24,880 It can also get very, very messy but I'm sure we'll manage. 737 00:44:24,880 --> 00:44:27,160 I take it we're all insured for this, are we? 738 00:44:27,160 --> 00:44:30,360 Don't worry, there's an ambulance waiting outside. 739 00:44:30,360 --> 00:44:33,280 Right? OK! 740 00:44:33,280 --> 00:44:35,280 (CELTIC MUSIC) 741 00:44:36,280 --> 00:44:38,320 Keep swinging. 742 00:44:38,320 --> 00:44:42,280 'Dances bring the entire community together and everyone joins in, 743 00:44:42,280 --> 00:44:46,920 ensuring that ceilidh tradition is passed from generation to generation. 744 00:44:49,360 --> 00:44:52,240 The music is provided by a three-piece band, 745 00:44:52,240 --> 00:44:55,320 a fiddle, accordion and drum.' 746 00:44:57,000 --> 00:44:59,000 OK, off we go! 747 00:45:03,000 --> 00:45:05,360 Keep moving, keep moving. 748 00:45:12,840 --> 00:45:14,840 (TEMPO INCREASES) 749 00:45:34,160 --> 00:45:36,200 What a fantastic ceilidh. 750 00:45:36,200 --> 00:45:41,400 What a great end to a great stay in Loch Lomond and the Trossachs. 751 00:45:41,400 --> 00:45:43,400 I shall be sorry to say goodbye. 752 00:45:46,640 --> 00:45:48,640 subtitles by Deluxe 753 00:46:16,240 --> 00:46:18,240 .