0:00:02 > 0:00:07It's the nation's favourite antiques experts with £200 each, a classic car and a goal
0:00:07 > 0:00:10- to scour Britain for antiques. - That hurts.
0:00:11 > 0:00:13What do you think?
0:00:13 > 0:00:18The aim - to make the biggest profit at auction, but it's no mean feat.
0:00:18 > 0:00:22- There will be worthy winners and valiant losers.- What have I done?!
0:00:22 > 0:00:27So will it be the high road to glory or the slow road to disaster?
0:00:27 > 0:00:29Put your back into it!
0:00:29 > 0:00:32This is the Antiques Road Trip.
0:00:33 > 0:00:34Yeah!
0:00:36 > 0:00:43It's the start of a new leg and we join experts Thomas Plant and James Lewis on the open road
0:00:43 > 0:00:45in a classic 1950s Morris Minor.
0:00:47 > 0:00:49LAUGHTER
0:00:49 > 0:00:50See?
0:00:50 > 0:00:53And the competition is fierce.
0:00:54 > 0:00:57Ah! That's my head!
0:00:57 > 0:01:03Battling swordsman Thomas Plant is an experienced auctioneer who specialises in jewellery.
0:01:03 > 0:01:09- But so far he's lagging behind. - It's a bit like the balance of power between James and I.
0:01:09 > 0:01:13This is what I feel I've got. And this is James's money.
0:01:13 > 0:01:19His rival, Derbyshire auctioneer James Lewis, is something of a celebrity.
0:01:19 > 0:01:23- Are you going to give me your autograph?- That's 12.
0:01:23 > 0:01:25I'm joking!
0:01:25 > 0:01:30- He also likes tribal art and quirky collectibles.- What do you think?
0:01:30 > 0:01:35So far, Thomas has made a respectable £284.22
0:01:35 > 0:01:37from his original £200 starter pack.
0:01:37 > 0:01:42- Well done.- So he has plenty of cash to splash on this leg.
0:01:42 > 0:01:45Meanwhile, James's original £200
0:01:45 > 0:01:51has mushroomed to a whopping £797.10 thanks to two unlikely lads.
0:01:51 > 0:01:55Last chance at 150.
0:01:55 > 0:01:57I thought that was bonkers.
0:01:59 > 0:02:03This week Thomas and James are travelling over 800 miles,
0:02:03 > 0:02:07looping their way from the Scottish west coast up to the Highlands,
0:02:07 > 0:02:14down to the Lowlands and back again, eventually finishing at the country's capital city, Edinburgh.
0:02:15 > 0:02:19But on this, their third leg, the boys are starting off in Dunkeld
0:02:19 > 0:02:26and heading up to the north-east of Scotland for an auction showdown in Buckie.
0:02:28 > 0:02:32The little town of Dunkeld is one of Perthshire's gems.
0:02:32 > 0:02:39Nestling beneath thickly wooded hills on the banks of the Tay, there is a definite air of tranquillity.
0:02:39 > 0:02:43This is lovely, James. Scotland in the sun.
0:02:43 > 0:02:48- A rare thing, but beautiful when it happens.- I'm going to go that way. I'll see you later on.
0:02:48 > 0:02:50- Have fun!- Buy well.
0:02:51 > 0:02:57- And without delay James saunters off to his first shop to meet owner Margaret.- Hello there.
0:02:57 > 0:03:00- Hello. How are you?- I'm James.
0:03:00 > 0:03:08Originally selling sweets, then fish, now antiques, Vintage is the oldest shop on the street,
0:03:08 > 0:03:11dating back to 1804.
0:03:11 > 0:03:18- I'll have a look. Is that all right? - You're welcome.- Don't sell my hat! - It looks good in the shop.
0:03:18 > 0:03:23- That's the pound shelf!- Is it? I don't mind a pound shelf. I'm not proud.
0:03:25 > 0:03:29Meanwhile, Thomas is headed to Dunkeld Antiques,
0:03:29 > 0:03:34situated in a converted church, perhaps in search of a miracle.
0:03:34 > 0:03:38What do you think of this? Doesn't one look rather attractive?
0:03:38 > 0:03:44I could be in my smoking room, sort of lounging like a Lothario. Just imagine.
0:03:44 > 0:03:47It's rather good, don't you think?
0:03:47 > 0:03:53Not really. There we go, Thomas. I'm not so sure about that. How about something a bit more...you?
0:03:53 > 0:03:56I think that's rather fun.
0:03:56 > 0:03:59It's a tobacco jar in stoneware.
0:03:59 > 0:04:05But I love the Honey Dew on there. A real decorative, beautiful thing.
0:04:05 > 0:04:11This 19th-century stoneware tobacco jar has moulded leaf handles
0:04:11 > 0:04:17and Honey Dew written in gilt lettering. It would have been used to hold loose tobacco
0:04:17 > 0:04:21and would originally have had a cover.
0:04:21 > 0:04:25- It's quite stylish. - SILENTLY MOUTHS PRICE
0:04:25 > 0:04:27I think it's lovely, though.
0:04:27 > 0:04:30Well, better keep on looking, then.
0:04:30 > 0:04:32Er, what's that?
0:04:32 > 0:04:37It might be something to do with fishing or it could be a weapon.
0:04:37 > 0:04:40It's a priest... It's a bar.
0:04:40 > 0:04:42Heavy.
0:04:42 > 0:04:46You could knock your fish on the head or you could protect yourself.
0:04:46 > 0:04:50But it's quite nice, though. Isn't it rather handsome?
0:04:50 > 0:04:53Walking sticks are so collectible.
0:04:55 > 0:05:00The concealed club within this 19th-century walking cane
0:05:00 > 0:05:05is called a priest and could be used to despatch captured fish quickly and humanely.
0:05:05 > 0:05:09Time to see if owner David will budge on the £90 asking price.
0:05:09 > 0:05:17- I like the stick.- All right. - I like the tobacco jar. - Well, you know what it is.
0:05:17 > 0:05:22If you need something, you've got to save up for it. If you don't have the money, you can't buy it.
0:05:22 > 0:05:26I'll see what I can do. You're having a tough time.
0:05:26 > 0:05:33These two items combined are £230, which would decimate most of Thomas's budget.
0:05:33 > 0:05:38What would you say if I gave you 150 for the jar and the stick?
0:05:40 > 0:05:42I would think that's very generous.
0:05:42 > 0:05:47- It would be, from your point of view.- Actually, no...
0:05:47 > 0:05:52- I can actually cope with that. - You can cope with that?- Yeah, I can.
0:05:52 > 0:05:54Have I gone in with too much now?
0:05:54 > 0:06:00- Em...- An £80 reduction on the combined price, eh? Not bad, Thomas,
0:06:00 > 0:06:06- But it's sent the poor boy into a spin.- I didn't want to do this. I didn't want to spend as much.
0:06:06 > 0:06:11Too late now, boy. Back with Margaret, James also has something.
0:06:11 > 0:06:17And it's not from the pound shelf. He's spotted a large bronze Chinese censer.
0:06:17 > 0:06:19Ticket price £45.
0:06:19 > 0:06:22What could that be?
0:06:23 > 0:06:2530...38?
0:06:25 > 0:06:29OK. That's... I think that's very fair.
0:06:29 > 0:06:36These were apparently originally used for ritual offerings of food and drink.
0:06:36 > 0:06:40As this example in archaic style dates from the 19th century,
0:06:40 > 0:06:43it would have been made as a decorative work of art.
0:06:43 > 0:06:46- Hello? What's this? - Two potential objects here.
0:06:46 > 0:06:51A Persian coffee pot, mid-19th century,
0:06:51 > 0:06:53possibly even earlier.
0:06:53 > 0:06:56But value-wise, not a huge amount.
0:06:56 > 0:07:01My theory is that that Chinese censer
0:07:01 > 0:07:06would be a nice lot on its own, but there are so many fakes about
0:07:06 > 0:07:13that I want people to have confidence in its age. It has age. But I want to give that confidence.
0:07:13 > 0:07:20The Chinese censer is the genuine article and would make a striking job lot with the Persian coffee pot,
0:07:20 > 0:07:22priced at £10.
0:07:22 > 0:07:25- Could you do that for 30?- 32.
0:07:25 > 0:07:2740 for the two.
0:07:27 > 0:07:2940 for the two...
0:07:30 > 0:07:33OK. Yes on that, please.
0:07:33 > 0:07:36The Chinese for 32.
0:07:36 > 0:07:40But I quite like this as well. I'll give you a fiver for that.
0:07:40 > 0:07:45- Is that all right?- Fine. - Thank you very much. Lovely.
0:07:45 > 0:07:52James has bargained well and has got a handsome duo for his first buy of the day.
0:07:52 > 0:07:58It's back to Thomas to see if he's found anything else to go with his cane and jar, apart from the dogs.
0:07:58 > 0:08:04Well, what we've got here is a nice set of 19th-century beam scales.
0:08:04 > 0:08:06With some odd weights with them.
0:08:06 > 0:08:10- I don't know whether those appeal. - They're quite sweet. Good fun.
0:08:10 > 0:08:16The scales are £95 and they were made by J White and Sons
0:08:16 > 0:08:20of Auchtermuchty in Fife, Scotland.
0:08:20 > 0:08:27But will Thomas want to spend that after already agreeing £150 for the storage jar and walking stick?
0:08:27 > 0:08:34- You could have those for £50. - 180 for the three items. - Right, OK...
0:08:34 > 0:08:38- I'm actually... - You're going to do me a huge favour.
0:08:39 > 0:08:45I must admit, it's nice to see you getting excited. Obviously, you're getting a good deal here.
0:08:45 > 0:08:49Right, OK, you've got a deal. You've got a deal. 180.
0:08:49 > 0:08:53Well, what a deal for Thomas on three items.
0:08:53 > 0:08:57Not far away, James is taking things in his stride.
0:08:59 > 0:09:05He's heading for The Little Curio Shop, run by Finlay, an art student in his youth,
0:09:05 > 0:09:08so it's full of elaborate odds and ends.
0:09:08 > 0:09:11And genuine pedigrees. Woof!
0:09:11 > 0:09:15- Hello. Who's this?- This is Eddie.- Hello.
0:09:15 > 0:09:18So how much is Eddie?
0:09:19 > 0:09:25Blimey! James will try to buy anything if it's not nailed down.
0:09:26 > 0:09:30It's not long before James's expert eye spots something else.
0:09:32 > 0:09:37Mm. Does this bust look familiar to you? Those flowing locks?
0:09:37 > 0:09:39That noble expression?
0:09:39 > 0:09:44- He's impressive. Lovely. - No, it's not James. Sadly,
0:09:44 > 0:09:50the identity of this 1840s disembodied Greek philosopher is unknown.
0:09:50 > 0:09:53- How much is he?- 95.
0:09:53 > 0:09:5595? OK.
0:09:55 > 0:09:58He's certainly got a look about him,
0:09:58 > 0:10:01which I like. 95...
0:10:03 > 0:10:05How flexible is the 95?
0:10:05 > 0:10:08- I'd go down to 80.- 80.
0:10:08 > 0:10:11How does 50 quid grab you?
0:10:11 > 0:10:15Deep breath! Deeper and deeper then come back at me!
0:10:16 > 0:10:21But maybe Finlay's son Alexander can help here.
0:10:21 > 0:10:24What do you think? You think 50 quid's better.
0:10:24 > 0:10:26Er, well, maybe...
0:10:26 > 0:10:29Probably 75.
0:10:29 > 0:10:33- 75. OK. - Eddie, how about you?
0:10:33 > 0:10:35What do you say? What do you say?
0:10:35 > 0:10:36"65!"
0:10:37 > 0:10:40Oh, she says 65.
0:10:40 > 0:10:45- 65.- Is that all right? You've got a deal.
0:10:45 > 0:10:48Thank you so much. Thank you.
0:10:51 > 0:10:57Meanwhile, Thomas is keen to make the most of the glorious weather and heads north to Blair Atholl
0:10:57 > 0:11:00in Highland Perthshire.
0:11:00 > 0:11:06- BAGPIPES PLAY - At its heart is Blair Castle, the ancient seat
0:11:06 > 0:11:08of the Dukes and Earls of Atholl.
0:11:08 > 0:11:12Thomas has come to see the Atholl Highlanders,
0:11:12 > 0:11:18the only private army in Europe with the royal seal of approval for their service to Queen Victoria
0:11:18 > 0:11:21almost 200 years ago.
0:11:25 > 0:11:33The Highlanders were formed in 1839 by Lord Glenlyon, later the Sixth Duke of Atholl,
0:11:33 > 0:11:38when he took a group of his estate workers to the Eglinton Tournament
0:11:38 > 0:11:40as his personal bodyguard.
0:11:40 > 0:11:47- Archivist Jane Anderson picks up the story. - Were they just average men?
0:11:47 > 0:11:54They were the people who worked on the estate, so they were keepers, ghillies, gardeners, farmers,
0:11:54 > 0:11:59very much the men were just the average men in the area.
0:12:00 > 0:12:05In 1842, Queen Victoria came to Dunkeld on her first ever visit to Scotland.
0:12:07 > 0:12:13And Lord Glenlyon's estate workers welcomed the Queen in true Highland fashion.
0:12:13 > 0:12:18They entertained her to dancing and piping. She was so impressed,
0:12:18 > 0:12:24she asked if she could have the castle at her disposal for three weeks in 1844.
0:12:24 > 0:12:30Lord and Lady Glenlyon moved out and the Queen came with her servants, complete retinue,
0:12:30 > 0:12:32pastry cooks, hairdressers.
0:12:32 > 0:12:39Queen Victoria did not have her own security, so Glenlyon called upon his trusty estate workers
0:12:39 > 0:12:45- to guard her throughout her stay. - She was so impressed, she decided to grant
0:12:45 > 0:12:49the Queen's Colours to the men who guarded her.
0:12:49 > 0:12:53This was completely unprecedented. That means you bear arms.
0:12:53 > 0:12:59This made them the only private regiment the Queen gave this honour to
0:12:59 > 0:13:02the Atholl Highlanders were born.
0:13:02 > 0:13:09- So this is the grant of the colours, signed Victoria. - Oh, right.
0:13:09 > 0:13:12They then had later versions made
0:13:12 > 0:13:19and they're up here with the regimental colour and Queen's colour. Ever since 1846,
0:13:19 > 0:13:24they've paraded every year, very similar to how you see it today.
0:13:24 > 0:13:31Although the Highlanders were an army, they never fought as a regiment.
0:13:31 > 0:13:36However, many of the men enlisted in the Crimean War and World War One.
0:13:36 > 0:13:41Because so many of them were killed and never came back, it went into abeyance after the war.
0:13:41 > 0:13:48It was only right after the Second War that the 10th Duke brought the regiment up to strength
0:13:48 > 0:13:50in 1966.
0:13:52 > 0:13:59The Atholl Highlanders now have approximately 100 men, the vast majority of whom are local people
0:13:59 > 0:14:04- keeping their traditions alive. - Present...arms!
0:14:08 > 0:14:12The Highlanders' Royal connections started with Queen Victoria,
0:14:12 > 0:14:17but it still continues to this day as Prince Michael of Kent presents them with a medal
0:14:17 > 0:14:21in commemoration of Queen Elizabeth's Diamond Jubilee.
0:14:21 > 0:14:28Let's hope the Highlanders' hearty spirit gives Thomas the inspiration to battle on
0:14:28 > 0:14:30against his rival, James.
0:14:30 > 0:14:32Back in Dunkeld,
0:14:32 > 0:14:37- James is, well, taking it easy. - Look at that.
0:14:37 > 0:14:43He's in Dunkeld Antiques, where Thomas previously bought his cane, pot and scales.
0:14:43 > 0:14:49- I mean, I don't know whether these Crown Derby things appeal to you. - Let's have a look.
0:14:49 > 0:14:55The first thing to ask is do they have their boxes? You can knock 30% off if they don't.
0:14:55 > 0:15:01- The answer is no.- OK, they should have a rectangular certificate signed by Hugh Gibson,
0:15:01 > 0:15:08the chairman of Royal Crown Derby. Then we look underneath. You've got a gold stopper, not silver. Good.
0:15:08 > 0:15:13If it was a second, it would have a silver stopper. No box is a killer.
0:15:13 > 0:15:15The hippo is £120
0:15:15 > 0:15:18and the stag £140.
0:15:18 > 0:15:22For me, there are so many things that say, "Go for it."
0:15:22 > 0:15:26The first thing is it's Royal Crown Derby. It's my home.
0:15:26 > 0:15:30Secondly, it's called the Sherwood Stag.
0:15:30 > 0:15:34My first ever valuation was done in Sherwood in Nottingham.
0:15:34 > 0:15:39Thirdly, it's a stag. If a stag won't sell in Scotland, it won't sell anywhere.
0:15:39 > 0:15:46As both paperweights don't have their valuable original box, certificate and tissue paper,
0:15:46 > 0:15:51- can James get a decent discount on them?- £50 each.
0:15:51 > 0:15:55Oh, well, at that... At that they're cheap.
0:15:55 > 0:15:59Good old David has given James a remarkable reduction in price.
0:15:59 > 0:16:04- Just tell me the sort of price you're thinking of. - I've never done this before.
0:16:04 > 0:16:08- I want to give you £60 each. - All right.- Is that all right?- Fine.
0:16:08 > 0:16:12I've never... I'm...I'm speechless.
0:16:12 > 0:16:18- Well, you know, I like to be able to think that I'm fair and... - Excellent.
0:16:18 > 0:16:22I think if they don't make that, they don't make that.
0:16:22 > 0:16:25- 120 for the two.- Fine.- Thank you.
0:16:25 > 0:16:29It seems James has bought with his heart,
0:16:29 > 0:16:37- and David's £140 markdown has given him a fighting chance at auction.- Thank you.
0:16:37 > 0:16:41- All we need to do is make a profit! - That's right.- Bye!
0:16:41 > 0:16:47It's been a day well spent so it's time for James and Thomas to put their feet up. Nighty night.
0:16:49 > 0:16:55It's the start of a new day and both gents are deciding on a budget plan.
0:16:55 > 0:16:59- I'm trying to spend all my money. - I can't do that!
0:16:59 > 0:17:02- Don't rub it in!- Sorry!
0:17:04 > 0:17:08So far, underdog Thomas Plant has spent £180 on three items.
0:17:08 > 0:17:16A walking cane, a stoneware tobacco jar and an Auchtermuchty set of scales.
0:17:16 > 0:17:23- It's nice to see you getting excited.- Leaving him with £104.22 for today's shopping.
0:17:25 > 0:17:27- I really like them.- Good. Excellent.
0:17:27 > 0:17:32Meanwhile, James Lewis has spent £22 on five items.
0:17:34 > 0:17:36A Chinese censer,
0:17:36 > 0:17:39a Persian coffee pot,
0:17:39 > 0:17:41a country house bust
0:17:41 > 0:17:44and two Royal Crown Derby paperweights.
0:17:44 > 0:17:46Cheers. And thank you very much!
0:17:46 > 0:17:52Leaving James still flush with £575.10.
0:17:53 > 0:17:57Our boys are now heading nearly 100 miles north to Nairn.
0:17:57 > 0:18:00Gosh! And there's discord in the camp.
0:18:01 > 0:18:08- Keep going all the way to the dead end(!)- There's a junction! - No, dead end.- There's a junction!
0:18:08 > 0:18:11Oh, boys, do stop bickering!
0:18:11 > 0:18:16Nairn has been a popular holiday destination since Victorian times
0:18:16 > 0:18:21and it enjoys a prime location on the Moray Firth coast,
0:18:21 > 0:18:23just 16 miles east of Inverness.
0:18:25 > 0:18:29Thomas has parted from his rival and is intent on shopping.
0:18:30 > 0:18:33Nice shorts(!)
0:18:33 > 0:18:34Morning!
0:18:36 > 0:18:41There's an assorted mix of goodies from traditional to ornamental,
0:18:41 > 0:18:45but Thomas needs something special if he's to catch up James.
0:18:45 > 0:18:50I'm looking at jewellery. I shouldn't. It's not the thing I should be doing.
0:18:50 > 0:18:53See, I can't keep away.
0:18:53 > 0:18:55I get drawn to it like a magpie.
0:18:55 > 0:18:59Maybe owner Steve can help.
0:18:59 > 0:19:03Ah, yes, I think that's about the '60s, something like that.
0:19:03 > 0:19:09Somebody's obviously been over to Venice and bought it for a trip. It's very good quality.
0:19:09 > 0:19:13And it's signed on the bottom. It's on at 33.
0:19:14 > 0:19:18- Say £20. How about that? - £20. It's lovely, isn't it?
0:19:18 > 0:19:23- You should do a reasonable return on that.- Lovely.- Lovely green colour.
0:19:23 > 0:19:30The other thing I quite like is this here. It's what we call biomorphic. Taken from nature.
0:19:30 > 0:19:34Almost like an amoeba it looks like. A single-cell organism.
0:19:34 > 0:19:40Thomas has also found a vintage blue art glass bowl to go with his growing collection.
0:19:40 > 0:19:44- Those three there. What would you do for those three?- 20 on that one.
0:19:44 > 0:19:48- 20 on that one. - This one we've got 26 on.
0:19:48 > 0:19:51Er, say 15.
0:19:51 > 0:19:54And what have we got on that one? Say a fiver.
0:19:54 > 0:19:57So you're looking at...
0:19:57 > 0:20:02- five, twenty...- £40 total. - £40 total.- Mm-hm.
0:20:02 > 0:20:09- That would make an interesting lot. - Steve, I'm going to make you an offer. You've come down a lot.
0:20:09 > 0:20:11£30.
0:20:11 > 0:20:18Em, it's a bit tight, but to give you a good chance, we'll do it.
0:20:18 > 0:20:23Wow! Surely Thomas can gain a profit on those vibrant bowls.
0:20:23 > 0:20:25- Thank you very much. - Hope you do well.
0:20:27 > 0:20:33James is keen to soak up the history of the area so Thomas gives him a lift to Inverness.
0:20:33 > 0:20:39Although only half an hour away, it's plenty of time for James to interrogate Thomas.
0:20:39 > 0:20:44- So what did you buy? - I'm not going to tell you. Don't do that! That hurts!
0:20:44 > 0:20:51- Come on, what did you buy? - These beautiful hairs on my legs and you want to rip them off?!
0:20:51 > 0:20:54There they go again.
0:20:54 > 0:21:01Inverness is the most northern city in Britain and one of its claims to fame is its castle.
0:21:01 > 0:21:05But it's the townhouse that James is heading for today.
0:21:05 > 0:21:11On 7th September, 1921, this building made history when it hosted the first Cabinet meeting
0:21:11 > 0:21:14outside London.
0:21:14 > 0:21:18- That is rather special. - It's sort of baronial, isn't it?
0:21:18 > 0:21:20Enjoy your shopping!
0:21:20 > 0:21:22- Yeah.- Don't get any bargains!
0:21:22 > 0:21:24Such a team player.
0:21:24 > 0:21:30Here to meet James is local historian Jamie Gaukroger. Nice name.
0:21:30 > 0:21:37- Jamie, hi.- Hello there. Welcome to Inverness Townhouse. - Fantastic building.- It is.
0:21:37 > 0:21:44The interior of the building itself is grand, with an imposing staircase rising from the entrance.
0:21:44 > 0:21:48In this council chamber the historic meeting was held.
0:21:48 > 0:21:53Of all places, why did they choose here to have the meeting?
0:21:53 > 0:22:00Lloyd George, the Prime Minister, was on holiday in the Highlands, as were several other Ministers.
0:22:00 > 0:22:06Winston Churchill was on holiday here. The King was holidaying just a few miles from Inverness.
0:22:06 > 0:22:11Rather than everyone travel back to London, the Ministers in London came up to Inverness.
0:22:11 > 0:22:17The emergency meeting was called after several years of violence in Ireland came to a head.
0:22:20 > 0:22:28Despite a truce in the July of 1921, by the September Sinn Fein leader Eamon de Valera
0:22:28 > 0:22:31was calling for an independent Ireland.
0:22:31 > 0:22:36- Churchill himself was here?- Yes. - So what was his role in 1921?
0:22:36 > 0:22:40- He was Colonial Secretary. - Colonial!
0:22:40 > 0:22:47We couldn't get away with that today! So did they actually view Ireland as a colony?
0:22:47 > 0:22:51Some would say they did. It was certainly part of the Empire.
0:22:51 > 0:22:56- Strange, isn't it?- The British were determined it would stay.
0:22:56 > 0:23:01- Who else out of the Cabinet was here?- Lloyd George, Prime Minister.
0:23:01 > 0:23:05- And Stanley Baldwin, future Prime Minister.- Yeah.
0:23:05 > 0:23:09Out of the 21 members, 16 of the Cabinet were here.
0:23:09 > 0:23:15At the meeting, council officer William Bain passed round a blank sheet of paper
0:23:15 > 0:23:19- which each member signed to document the occasion.- Gosh.
0:23:19 > 0:23:24Lloyd George was the first to sign, then Austen Chamberlain, the Lord Privy Seal.
0:23:24 > 0:23:30All the way down to Winston Churchill at the bottom, Secretary for the Colonies.
0:23:30 > 0:23:34This is a time when politicians really led from the front.
0:23:34 > 0:23:39- They were really respected people. - They were. They were revered.
0:23:39 > 0:23:44People like Lloyd George and Churchill were hugely respected.
0:23:44 > 0:23:49The politicians then were, in fact, the celebrities of their day
0:23:49 > 0:23:56and the British Cabinet meeting was so momentous, it drew cheering crowds who gathered outside.
0:23:56 > 0:24:02People were coming from all round Inverness, all parts of the Highlands, lining the rooftops,
0:24:02 > 0:24:08in shop windows. They were sitting on chimney stacks. Every possible vantage point.
0:24:08 > 0:24:15- After this crisis Cabinet meeting, what was the result?- The Government said Ireland could have self-rule,
0:24:15 > 0:24:19self-government, if it stayed within the Empire.
0:24:20 > 0:24:24The Inverness Formula was agreed at that meeting
0:24:24 > 0:24:30and used to form the 1921 Anglo-Irish Treaty, which established the Irish Free State.
0:24:32 > 0:24:40The townhouse was witness to this pivotal event as the first venue outside London to host the Cabinet.
0:24:40 > 0:24:44- I've really enjoyed it. Thank you. - Most welcome.- Cheers.
0:24:44 > 0:24:48Now it's time for James and Thomas to have their own rendezvous
0:24:48 > 0:24:53as they head east to their last shop of the day in Auldearn.
0:24:53 > 0:24:57- And Thomas wants pampering. - I have got sand in my toes.
0:24:57 > 0:25:02- They need brushing off.- If you expect me to brush your feet...!
0:25:02 > 0:25:07- No, no, not you, James. You don't do it for me. - Thank goodness for that!
0:25:07 > 0:25:13This is supposed to be about buying antiques, although sometimes I do wonder.
0:25:15 > 0:25:19- Please don't try this at home. - Argh! That's my head!
0:25:20 > 0:25:28- OK, boys, stop it before it all ends in tears.- Yes! Yes!- What do you mean "yes"?! You're dead!
0:25:28 > 0:25:32James and Thomas split up in search of their items,
0:25:32 > 0:25:38but Thomas, who loves to parry, is still reeling from the impromptu duel.
0:25:38 > 0:25:45I did give James the longer fencing foil. I found one short blade, one long. One junior, one adult.
0:25:45 > 0:25:48I've got £575 left.
0:25:48 > 0:25:51I don't have to buy anything if I don't find anything,
0:25:51 > 0:25:55but if I do, it would be nice to buy it.
0:25:55 > 0:25:57He went...
0:25:57 > 0:26:00like a charging herd of bulls.
0:26:00 > 0:26:05It would be nice to buy something meaty, but I don't want furniture.
0:26:05 > 0:26:09Anyway, I got him back. A quick parry and riposte.
0:26:09 > 0:26:12Great. Now they can concentrate on shopping.
0:26:12 > 0:26:15This is not a bad little thing.
0:26:15 > 0:26:19It's a Japanese Satsuma vase.
0:26:21 > 0:26:26It's from the Meiji period, around 1895, and decorated with geisha figures
0:26:26 > 0:26:29from the Imperial Court.
0:26:30 > 0:26:35This is typical of Japanese export china of that period,
0:26:35 > 0:26:39but £22 is really cheap.
0:26:39 > 0:26:43I quite like that really. £22. Definitely a profit.
0:26:44 > 0:26:48Meanwhile, Thomas is going for...kitchenware!
0:26:48 > 0:26:53You sort of clamp it on to something and you slice God knows what.
0:26:53 > 0:26:55What a mad thing.
0:26:55 > 0:27:03Follows and Bate Limited. Patent marmalade cutter, Manchester.
0:27:03 > 0:27:05Yes, it's an orange slicer.
0:27:05 > 0:27:09I think I've found my final item. Everybody likes a bit of marmalade
0:27:09 > 0:27:16- and the Scottish like marmalade more than most nations, don't they? - If you say so, Thomas.
0:27:16 > 0:27:20I don't want to leave it there. I don't want James to find it.
0:27:20 > 0:27:26Or I don't know if he'd be interested in something like this. It's not really his bag.
0:27:26 > 0:27:31- Too late, Thomas. It's already been spotted.- Hello.
0:27:31 > 0:27:37- What is it?- It's nothing. Maybe something I might purchase. - Let's have a look.- No!
0:27:37 > 0:27:40You're like some evil pest. I'm being trapped!
0:27:40 > 0:27:45Come on, James. You've got your own lots to find.
0:27:45 > 0:27:47Right. What do I do here?
0:27:47 > 0:27:51I've got the Japanese Satsuma vase, but then I've got these,
0:27:51 > 0:27:54which are marked for Meissen.
0:27:54 > 0:27:58Meissen was, without question, the finest porcelain maker
0:27:58 > 0:28:04of the 18th and 19th century. They were the first factory to invent porcelain in Europe.
0:28:04 > 0:28:12But these plates are by Helena Wolfsohn. These are 1880. Copies of Meissen.
0:28:12 > 0:28:17The Helena Wolfsohn business was taken to court by Meissen
0:28:17 > 0:28:21for using their AR trademark and it's considered to be
0:28:21 > 0:28:27the first copyright case of its kind. They were ordered to change the mark to show they were copies.
0:28:27 > 0:28:29They're 24.
0:28:31 > 0:28:33That's 22. What do I do?
0:28:35 > 0:28:40Well, it's tricky, James, but you could buy them all! Time to call in owner Roger.
0:28:40 > 0:28:45- The first thing was that, the vase.- Yeah.
0:28:45 > 0:28:47- It's got 22 on it.- Mm-hm.
0:28:47 > 0:28:52Well, certainly we could do it for £20. It's well priced.
0:28:52 > 0:28:59- I was thinking more along the lines of 15.- Yeah. 18 would be the absolute best.- Is it?
0:28:59 > 0:29:04OK, if that's your best. The other thing was these. Two of those at 12 each.
0:29:04 > 0:29:07- Yeah.- Em...
0:29:07 > 0:29:11- What could they be? - Again, £10 each could do the job.
0:29:11 > 0:29:13I'll give you 30 for all three.
0:29:13 > 0:29:20- I could do a deal at 35. - 30 no good to you? - I could go another pound, but...
0:29:20 > 0:29:24I'm not going to argue with you! You said 35 was your best.
0:29:24 > 0:29:28- £35 it is.- Thank goodness for that.
0:29:28 > 0:29:32Well, a really good Satsuma vase, a pair of Helena Wolfsohn plates.
0:29:32 > 0:29:35I've still got all that cash left.
0:29:35 > 0:29:37Lucky you.
0:29:40 > 0:29:45Now Thomas is mulling over the cutter, ticket price £15.
0:29:45 > 0:29:49- What can your really wonderful price be on that?- I would think £12.
0:29:49 > 0:29:56- 10.- I'm struggling for 10, but 12 I think there would still be some money available in that.
0:29:56 > 0:30:02- Do you think so?- Definitely. - I'd be happier at 10.- Go between.
0:30:02 > 0:30:06- Call it 11. Thank you. - £11. Thank you very much.
0:30:06 > 0:30:11Right. The boys are all shopped out, so it's time to show and tell.
0:30:11 > 0:30:14In the middle of a field?!
0:30:14 > 0:30:18- Do you want a hand? - Yes, please.- Oh...!
0:30:18 > 0:30:20There we go.
0:30:20 > 0:30:24- Who's that? Aristotle? - I wasn't quite sure.- Is it plaster?
0:30:24 > 0:30:27- Yes.- And is the base plaster?- Yes.
0:30:27 > 0:30:31- No, he's rather good, isn't he? - I liked him.
0:30:31 > 0:30:33- How much was Aristotle?- 65.
0:30:33 > 0:30:37- He's marvellous, isn't he? - Particularly good with a Panama.
0:30:37 > 0:30:41I love this! This is my favourite. A sort of rose water.
0:30:41 > 0:30:46- Yes.- Or tea.- Coffee. - Yeah, coffee. Rather fun.
0:30:46 > 0:30:52Obviously if it was in London, you know, in Islamic week, it could probably make £100.
0:30:52 > 0:30:58- It's a good thing. But we're selling in Buckie.- Paid a fiver. - Don't worry about it.
0:30:58 > 0:31:05- Next are James's sentimental buys. - If I was locked in a shed all my life...- Right.
0:31:05 > 0:31:11Not seen the world, and somebody presented me to these as what man has created,
0:31:11 > 0:31:16I would find it difficult to be impressed, but they're probably very collectible.
0:31:16 > 0:31:18I find them formulaic.
0:31:18 > 0:31:22Wow. Thomas isn't pulling any punches.
0:31:22 > 0:31:25- Ready, James?- What have we got?
0:31:25 > 0:31:29What does the jar say on the front? It looks like a tobacco jar.
0:31:29 > 0:31:33- Honey Dew.- It is a tobacco jar. - Isn't that nice?- Lovely.
0:31:33 > 0:31:36Very unusual to have the gilded label.
0:31:36 > 0:31:39What about the country walking stick, James?
0:31:39 > 0:31:44- What on earth is that?! - Exactly what I thought!
0:31:44 > 0:31:48Either it's a self-defence or it's for hunting, fishing.
0:31:48 > 0:31:52- I have no idea. - That's interesting.- It is.
0:31:52 > 0:31:56The countryside theme continues with the brass scales.
0:31:56 > 0:32:00These are quite fun. They're from... Auchtermuchty or something.
0:32:00 > 0:32:05Have you heard of that before? J White and Sons.
0:32:05 > 0:32:09- I like those. That's your best buy. - You like the scales?- Yeah.
0:32:09 > 0:32:15- I think we've done rather well. I'm pleased with my lots and you've done all right, too.- Thank you.
0:32:15 > 0:32:20- At the auction...- Good luck. - Niceties apart, what do they think?
0:32:20 > 0:32:27Thomas has bought really well. The items are interesting. I like the scales, the tobacco jar.
0:32:27 > 0:32:31There will be profits in some places and a couple of losses, too.
0:32:31 > 0:32:36The thing I really don't like is the Royal Crown Derby paperweights.
0:32:36 > 0:32:40Never in a month of Sundays would I buy them.
0:32:40 > 0:32:44If they make mega money, I'll feel sick because I saw them.
0:32:44 > 0:32:48After travelling from Dunkeld up to Blair Atholl,
0:32:48 > 0:32:51Nairn, Inverness and Auldearn,
0:32:51 > 0:32:56James and Thomas head for the auction showdown in Buckie.
0:32:58 > 0:33:01- Ah, breathe in that sea air! - I don't know...
0:33:01 > 0:33:05Oh, come on! You'll be fine. Get your bottom in here.
0:33:05 > 0:33:08- I get all funny.- You always do!
0:33:09 > 0:33:14Family-run Cluny's in Buckie is the stage for our auction.
0:33:14 > 0:33:20Auctioneer John Ferguson gives us a review of James and Thomas's lots.
0:33:20 > 0:33:23Crown Derby, good lots. Should do well.
0:33:23 > 0:33:27The marmalade slicer. Nice, original lot.
0:33:27 > 0:33:31Reasonably confident, but it's all down to the day.
0:33:31 > 0:33:38It certainly is. Thomas began with £284.22 and hasn't much change left
0:33:38 > 0:33:42after spending £221 on five auction lots.
0:33:42 > 0:33:45I didn't want to spend this amount.
0:33:45 > 0:33:51Whereas James started this journey with an imposing £797.10
0:33:51 > 0:33:55and spent a total of £257, also on five auction lots.
0:33:55 > 0:33:59I've still got all that cash left!
0:33:59 > 0:34:01Roll up! It's time to begin.
0:34:01 > 0:34:06I feel that I could do badly today. I feel it in my bones.
0:34:06 > 0:34:12- First up is James's Satsuma vase. - £40 for the vase?
0:34:12 > 0:34:14What will we say then? 40 or 30?
0:34:14 > 0:34:17- 20?- Oh...
0:34:17 > 0:34:21- Go on.- 20 bid. 22. I'm bid 5.
0:34:21 > 0:34:2425. 25 in the room.
0:34:24 > 0:34:27Do I see 28? 28.
0:34:27 > 0:34:29Internet bidding!
0:34:29 > 0:34:31Online at 32. In the room at 32.
0:34:31 > 0:34:36- 35. I'll get you all. 38. - Fresh bidding. 40.- 42.
0:34:36 > 0:34:3945. Do I see 8?
0:34:39 > 0:34:43- 48. 48. - I told you. Good old John.
0:34:43 > 0:34:46I'll take another wee one. 55.
0:34:46 > 0:34:49"I'll take another wee one"!
0:34:49 > 0:34:51At 58. All finished, then?
0:34:51 > 0:34:54Well done, John.
0:34:54 > 0:34:57The auctioneer got a good profit there.
0:34:57 > 0:35:01When it went down and down... But...!
0:35:01 > 0:35:06Next it's Thomas with his luxurious walking stick with pull-out priest.
0:35:06 > 0:35:09£50. 50. 40.
0:35:09 > 0:35:13- £20, surely.- Oh!- £20. 20 I'm bid.
0:35:13 > 0:35:17At 20 bid now. 20 and 2. And 5. 25. 8.
0:35:17 > 0:35:2228. And 30. 32. 35. 38.
0:35:22 > 0:35:2540. £40. I'll take 2. 42. 45.
0:35:25 > 0:35:27- At 45.- Go on!
0:35:27 > 0:35:3150. He shakes his head at 50.
0:35:31 > 0:35:34Are we all done this time at £50?
0:35:35 > 0:35:38Oh, 50. All right. £50.
0:35:38 > 0:35:43Oh, dear. And with auction costs he'll lose more than that.
0:35:43 > 0:35:45Well, he started at 20.
0:35:45 > 0:35:50- Now will James's porcelain make a profit?- 22.
0:35:50 > 0:35:535. 25. 28.
0:35:53 > 0:35:55And 30. 35. 40.
0:35:55 > 0:35:58And 2. 5. 48.
0:35:58 > 0:36:01- Go on, go on, go on.- At 48.
0:36:01 > 0:36:05- At 48. Where do you get them? - Where are you?- Calm down.
0:36:05 > 0:36:08At £48, then. At 48.
0:36:09 > 0:36:1448, well done. You've made a good profit on that.
0:36:14 > 0:36:17Another good profit after commission.
0:36:19 > 0:36:21I'm in trouble.
0:36:21 > 0:36:27- Will Thomas's colourful glass bowl the crowds over?- £10 I'm bid.
0:36:27 > 0:36:30- At 10.- It's started.- 12 now.
0:36:30 > 0:36:3212 bid. 15.
0:36:32 > 0:36:35At 15. Is that a bid? £18. Where are you?
0:36:35 > 0:36:39- 22 here. - 22 online. Don't stop there.
0:36:39 > 0:36:42- Go on!- 30's online.
0:36:42 > 0:36:48- At 30 online.- Don't stop! - At 32. At 32.
0:36:48 > 0:36:52Are we finished online? Bid's in the room, then. £32.
0:36:52 > 0:36:57That was one that you thought was going to do really well.
0:36:57 > 0:36:59It's a signed bit of glass.
0:36:59 > 0:37:03Oh, dear, Thomas. That glass just didn't cut it.
0:37:03 > 0:37:08- I'm quite disappointed today. I'm getting deflated.- I'm gutted.
0:37:08 > 0:37:14Will James prove he really has the Midas touch with his Chinese censer and Eastern coffee pot?
0:37:14 > 0:37:17100, surely. 50, then.
0:37:17 > 0:37:2150 I'm bid. At £50. At 50.
0:37:21 > 0:37:24Do I see 5? At £50. At £50. At 50.
0:37:24 > 0:37:29- Anybody at £50?- No way! - At £50. At 50.
0:37:29 > 0:37:3155, thank you.
0:37:31 > 0:37:3455. And 60. £60.
0:37:34 > 0:37:37- It's profit.- All done at £60?
0:37:37 > 0:37:40Well, it's got to be at £60.
0:37:40 > 0:37:44- Well... - You made profit, though.
0:37:44 > 0:37:46I have to say I'm gutted about that.
0:37:46 > 0:37:49At least it's a profit, James.
0:37:49 > 0:37:53- It's very disappointing.- Isn't it? That could have made 300 quid.
0:37:54 > 0:37:59Surely this decorative pot will change Thomas's fortunes.
0:37:59 > 0:38:03- £30, then. 30. Shall I say 20, then?- You see...
0:38:03 > 0:38:06There's no point.
0:38:06 > 0:38:10£20. Ah, thank you. 20. At £20.
0:38:10 > 0:38:14And we have 22. 25. A new bidder at 25.
0:38:14 > 0:38:1628 now. 28. 30.
0:38:16 > 0:38:2032. Standing at 32. At 32. Is there another one?
0:38:20 > 0:38:23Are we all finished and done, then?
0:38:26 > 0:38:28Such is life.
0:38:28 > 0:38:33Oh. Another loss and another blow for Thomas.
0:38:33 > 0:38:37I would swap three of my Satsuma vases for one of those.
0:38:37 > 0:38:39You can't help it.
0:38:39 > 0:38:44Now will this mysterious Greek win over the bidders?
0:38:44 > 0:38:47£50 for the bust? 40, then.
0:38:47 > 0:38:48What?!
0:38:50 > 0:38:52Don't you like them?
0:38:52 > 0:38:56- 40.- Online. 45. Where are you?
0:38:56 > 0:38:5845. 48.
0:38:58 > 0:39:0150. 5. 60.
0:39:01 > 0:39:04Yeah. You know it makes sense.
0:39:05 > 0:39:10Go on! You can stick it in the loo for that!
0:39:10 > 0:39:1565? Yeah? £70 is online.
0:39:15 > 0:39:1875, eh? Yeah?
0:39:18 > 0:39:19That'll do. £75.
0:39:19 > 0:39:22All done?
0:39:22 > 0:39:24Break even.
0:39:24 > 0:39:28Well, James. At least he looks like he's gone to a good home.
0:39:28 > 0:39:33- A minor loss.- It could have been a considerable one.
0:39:33 > 0:39:38Can these scales tip the balance in Thomas's favour?
0:39:38 > 0:39:43- Auchtermuchty. - It sounds German.- It's not German!
0:39:43 > 0:39:50A set of brass and cast-iron Auchtermuchty balance scales.
0:39:50 > 0:39:53- There we are. Auchtermuchty! - From the horse's mouth.
0:39:53 > 0:39:56£20 bid. At 20. 22.
0:39:56 > 0:40:005. At 25. 28 now. 28. And 30.
0:40:00 > 0:40:0232. 35.
0:40:02 > 0:40:06- 38. At 38.- Go on! - He's online.
0:40:06 > 0:40:0942's online. At 42.
0:40:09 > 0:40:1142.
0:40:11 > 0:40:13- 45.- 45. Go on.
0:40:13 > 0:40:16- 45 online. 45.- It's online.
0:40:16 > 0:40:1948. And 50 online.
0:40:19 > 0:40:23- At 50.- Let them have it. - Anyone want involved at 50?
0:40:23 > 0:40:27- Come on, Scotland! - At £50. It's online.
0:40:27 > 0:40:29At 50.
0:40:29 > 0:40:31Ohh.
0:40:31 > 0:40:35- A small profit, yes? - Yes, yes, yes.
0:40:35 > 0:40:40At last, a profit, but Thomas still isn't happy.
0:40:40 > 0:40:46- I'm going to go on strike. - You can't!- And buy poor items. Poor quality.
0:40:46 > 0:40:51James bought this Derby duo with his heart and not his head.
0:40:51 > 0:40:54So will his gamble pay off?
0:40:54 > 0:40:58100, then. One I'm bid. At one I'm bid.
0:40:58 > 0:41:01At 100.
0:41:01 > 0:41:04120. 140. 160.
0:41:04 > 0:41:06180. 200.
0:41:06 > 0:41:11220's there. I need 240. Sorry, 240 is in the room. 260.
0:41:11 > 0:41:16- 260.- 280. 280 I have.- This pair of animals are really taking off!
0:41:16 > 0:41:18320.
0:41:18 > 0:41:22I have 340 with me. 360. Are we all done?
0:41:22 > 0:41:25Finished at 360?
0:41:25 > 0:41:29- I'm pleased at that. - I bet you are!
0:41:29 > 0:41:33So it's a stash of cash for James. Well done.
0:41:33 > 0:41:35For what they were,
0:41:35 > 0:41:38it was still cheap. Great profit.
0:41:38 > 0:41:42Thomas is now hoping his marmalade cutter will sweeten the crowd.
0:41:42 > 0:41:46- 12. 15. Now at 15. - Profit.- Profit.
0:41:46 > 0:41:4918 I'm bid. 20's online.
0:41:49 > 0:41:56- Online!- Online. Anybody who makes marmalade with this, I'll buy a jar off you.
0:41:56 > 0:41:59I was at £20 online. 22's online.
0:41:59 > 0:42:02- Oh!- 22. Anybody else? 22.
0:42:02 > 0:42:06- There must be somebody else. - Somebody must want marmalade.
0:42:06 > 0:42:08Online it's 22.
0:42:08 > 0:42:12- Go on!- Keep it going! - At 28.
0:42:12 > 0:42:15Are we all done and sure at £28?
0:42:16 > 0:42:21- Well, it was a profit.- A good profit.- You finished on a high.
0:42:21 > 0:42:26A profit, but not enough to promote him from the bottom division.
0:42:27 > 0:42:31Thomas started this leg with £284.22
0:42:31 > 0:42:36and after paying auction costs he's made a loss of £63.56,
0:42:36 > 0:42:39leaving him with £220.66.
0:42:44 > 0:42:48James, however, is rising to the Premiership.
0:42:48 > 0:42:50He started with £797.10
0:42:50 > 0:42:55and, after costs, made a profit of £235.82,
0:42:55 > 0:43:00giving him a massive £1,032.92 going forward.
0:43:00 > 0:43:05What an extraordinary amount! Unbelievable.
0:43:05 > 0:43:11- Soon you'll be able to get a mop out and wipe the floor with me. You already have.- Oh, come on.
0:43:11 > 0:43:14You just need that one lucky find.
0:43:14 > 0:43:18- Right! I need some bargains! - Come on!
0:43:18 > 0:43:23- This is the fightback. - The fightback begins now.
0:43:24 > 0:43:29Next time: James has worked out a winning formula for the auction.
0:43:29 > 0:43:33It's cracked, it's chipped - guaranteed profit.
0:43:33 > 0:43:38- And Thomas resorts to promising treats. - I'll buy you ice cream.- Done.
0:43:52 > 0:43:55Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd