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All Episodes of Grand Tours of Scotland

Browse all episodes of Grand Tours of Scotland

All Episodes of Grand Tours of Scotland

Paul Murton follows in the footsteps of the first tourists to Scotland. With a Victorian guidebook in his hands, he travels across the country tracing...
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Season 1

  • The Romantic Ideal
    8.0/1010 votes

    The Romantic Ideal

    Season 1 Episode 1 - Aired 10/6/2010

    In this first journey, Paul goes in search of the romantic ideal, travelling from the Trossachs out to Iona and then the fabled Isle of Staffa - all places that enchanted and inspired visitors with the magic of Scotland's unique history and landscape.

    Director: Unknown

    Writer: Unknown

  • The Sporting Life
    7.9/107 votes

    The Sporting Life

    Season 1 Episode 2 - Aired 10/13/2010

    He discovers how 19th-century Scotland's mountains and glens were a playground for rich gentlemen eager to test themselves against the forces of nature. In the spirit of Victorian manliness, Paul makes the journey using a conveyance of the period, an original 1870s tricycle. Enjoying the dubious delights of his unusual mode of transport, he travels from Dunkeld along the banks of Britain's longest river, the Tay, before climbing the mountains to Royal Deeside. From Braemar he travels to the iconic destination of Balmoral, before attempting to cycle one of Scotland's most famous mountain passes, the Lairig Ghru.

    Director: Unknown

    Writer: Unknown

  • In Search Of The Real Scotland
    8.0/107 votes

    In Search Of The Real Scotland

    Season 1 Episode 3 - Aired 10/20/2010

    For centuries, outsiders had seldom visited the beautiful landscape of the west coast, but the power of steam changed everything. Within a century, a network of railways spread across the entire country, connecting the industrial cities of the south to the mountains and glens of the north. With the trains came the tourists - all clamouring for a piece of the real Scotland. Paul's route starts at the foot of Ben Nevis in Fort William and continues along the beautiful railway line to Mallaig and onwards to the fabled Isle of Skye.

    Director: Unknown

    Writer: Unknown

  • Mind, Body and Spirit
    8.1/107 votes

    Mind, Body and Spirit

    Season 1 Episode 4 - Aired 11/3/2010

    In this episode, he goes in search of the stunning landscape of the Highlands that has attracted visitors for the last two hundred years with the promise of improving 'mind, body and spirit'. In the 19th century, the Highlands were very much the preserve of the privileged elite, but as transport links improved in the 20th century, our mountains, lochs and glens were increasingly seen as a giant playground, where people of all classes could escape the dull routine of the modern world. Paul traces the history of the great outdoors, travelling from the shores of Loch Tay in Perthshire, across the great wilderness of Rannoch Moor, climbs the iconic mountain of Buachaille Etive Mor, before ending his journey in the quaint spa town of Strathpeffer.

    Director: Unknown

    Writer: Unknown

  • In Search of Perfect Isolation
    8.7/106 votes

    In Search of Perfect Isolation

    Season 1 Episode 5 - Aired 11/10/2010

    In this edition, he travels to the Northern Isles to discover how their remoteness from the mainland became a draw for tourists in search of perfect isolation. After all, Shetland is closer to the Arctic Circle than to London and closer to the coast of Norway than to the English border! Keen to escape the noise and pressures of their overcrowded world, more adventurous tourists braved the rough seas to travel to Orkney and Shetland, hoping to restore themselves in the peace and quiet of the far north. Paul's journey begins on board a Norwegian racing yacht in the ocean to the east of Shetland. Landing at Lerwick, Paul continues to explore the main island and its fabulous wildlife before heading out to sea again and sailing south to the musical Orkney Islands.

    Director: Unknown

    Writer: Unknown

  • Wish You Were Here
    8.6/105 votes

    Wish You Were Here

    Season 1 Episode 6 - Aired 11/17/2010

    In the final episode of the series, Paul traces the rise of the seaside as a workers' playground. In Victorian times, most tourists came from a tiny social elite - the rich - and for the great mass of the population a holiday was just a dream. But when working people eventually won the right to some free time, by far the majority of them did not rush off to the romantic highlands to enjoy the view, most postcards home were sent from the seaside. Paul begins his journey in the historic town of St Andrews, hops across the Firth of Forth to North Berwick and ends up in the capital city - Edinburgh.

    Director: Unknown

    Writer: Unknown