Scottish Castle Den The Dengineers

-I'm Lauren.

-And I'm Joe.

-And this is The Dengineers.

The show that puts you in charge of building your own dream den.

Dens for adventure...

..hanging out with your friends and family...

Amazing!

..and dens built to fulfil your dreams.

It's amazing, thank you so much!

Whatever your idea, the Dengineers team are here

to transform your inspiration into amazing spaces...

Wow!

..built especially for you.

-This...

-Den...

-Is...

-Done!

Merry Christma-a-as!

Whoa!

Today we are here on the shores of Loch Ness to surprise

two lucky brothers and help them build their dream den.

Now, I've heard there are monsters round these parts,

so we're going to have to stop NESSIE-ing about!

That was awful. Let's meet today's Dengineers...

Today's Dengineers are brothers Alec and William from Inverness.

We need help from the Dengineers because we live in

the Scottish Highlands,

and where we live on a farm, there's not much to do.

Unfortunately, the two brothers currently share a bedroom

with their younger brother, Charlie.

There's no room in the bedroom for them to do anything but sleep!

And there's also their younger sister, Jamie, to deal with,

so they need a space of their own to enjoy their real passion.

We like Scottish history because of all the battles that

were fought and how the clans and the castles were so amazing.

Since they've been wee boys, I've been telling them

all the stories about their heritage, their history.

So they love it, we go to castles and churches and battlefields.

We live in the Scottish Highlands, so it's quite rural here.

I just think it'd be great for them to have their own place to go

out of the house, where they can hang out.

We don't have many friends nearby,

so we really want to have a place where we can have fun.

Please, Dengineers, we really need your help!

Don't you worry, boys, our help is exactly what you're going to get!

You just don't know it yet!

We are literally pushing the boat out on this one.

This is so exciting,

this is the first surprise we have ever done on water!

I'm just hoping that we don't bump into any trouble.

What kind of trouble are you talking about?

You know... Monster trouble.

There's no such things as monsters... Right, guys?

Come on, Ben... You best keep lookout just in case!

As Lauren keeps an eye out for monsters, the Dengineers team

crack on rigging the boat with hidden cameras.

And it's just in time, by the looks of it cos the boys have arrived

-with their parents.

-Alec and William are about to board the cruise ship,

-so we're going to get hiding in here.

-Yeah.

As the boys take to their seats, the cruise ship sets sail.

There's no going back now!

With Alec and William taking in the sights, it's time to make our move.

Let's go.

Alec and William, hello!

Hiya, guys, my name is Lauren and this is Joe.

-Hello.

-And we're from CBBC's The Dengineers.

You guys are in luck because we are going to come to your house

and build your very own dream den. How does that sound?

Yeah!

On a scale of 1 to 10,

-I'm feeling a thousand - that's how shocked I am.

-Did you have

-any idea that this was going to happen today?

-No.

Really surprised. It was more shocked than shocked.

And your mum and dad, they've been in on this the whole time.

We are so excited for the boys

to get their den, it's going to be amazing.

It's going to take a lot of hard work. Are you up for the challenge?

-Yeah.

-Amazing! Well done, you guys.

The Dengineers did a really good job, surprising us.

Our first port of call is the Dengineers mobile HQ,

which has some mega-cool technology to get this den off the ground.

Alec, William, welcome to the Dengineers mobile HQ.

So, guys, this is where we're going to take all of those ideas,

get them onto this massive computer.

-Are you up for it?

-Yeah!

Remember, it's your den, so if you see anything that you like,

just grab it and throw it up there.

So, first of all, what's the theme?

Well, we're thinking of kind of doing

a Scottish history, castle type den.

-Wow!

-That sounds amazing!

What sort of thing do you want for the outside of it?

We would quite like a turret.

Yeah, that would look incredible.

-That is exactly what you think of when you think of a castle.

-Yeah.

Also, like, some tartans in it.

-Yeah.

-Tartan in there.

Great. On the inside, seating-wise, what do you think you'd like to...?

Maybe two throne type things.

-Great idea.

-Ooh! Why thrones?

Because we're the two kings.

That's a GREAT idea!

And what are you going to be getting up to in your den?

Maybe reading books about Scottish history.

-Wow!

-That would be REALLY cool.

Also a kind of coat of arms thing would be quite cool.

Wow, like you could design your own coat of arms. Wow!

Guys, there's some amazing ideas on here.

Are you guys happy with your design?

-Yeah.

-Yeah.

Alec and William have chosen a castle with turrets for their den.

A library for their books, tartan fabrics,

and thrones for seating - it will be a space fit for two kings.

And the boys have the perfect place to build their castle den.

And we've got just the designer for the job...

Meet Sege - a creative genius with over 30 years in the building biz!

He knows how to nail a massive project, just like this one.

THUNDER RUMBLES

And it looks like the great British weather has arrived

in the Scottish Highlands too.

Look at the size of this mound!

I don't think we've ever built a den on a mound before, Sege!

Perfect place, most castles were built on high ground.

One thing for certain, though, is that it's going to need a roof!

It's definitely going to need a big roof.

What have you got planned, mate, what do you reckon?

Well, boys, tell me a bit about this castle, is it going to have turrets?

-Yeah, it will have turrets.

-OK, and how many turrets? Two maybe?

Yeah. I think that's a really good idea.

I think the castle should have a drawbridge. What about that?

Definitely!

What I think about the design ideas, I think they're really good,

and when he told us about the drawbridge I was buzzing.

So what are your favourite games?

What's going to be the thing you like to play the most?

Well, maybe something like chess, which is

a game they played a lot in the olden days.

-We play that quite a lot inside.

-Oh, really?

Sege, have you ever built a castle before?

Not one quite like this.

-Lads, what do you think of Sege's ideas? Do you like them?

-Yeah.

-Is it about what you had in your heads?

-Definitely.

I tell you what, the den is not going to build itself,

-so let's get cracking. Come on.

-Let's go.

Sege has designed a Scottish-castle inspired den,

complete with its own turrets and a drawbridge.

On the inside, the centrepiece will be two regal thrones that will

fill the room with colour.

A display cabinet will show off Alec and William's very own crowns.

And there'll also be plenty of room for the boys to store their beloved

Scottish history books, as well as a table for them to play chess on.

But before any building can take place,

we need to make sure the ground is level.

And to get this done, Sege calls in a Scottish monster of his own...

I've never built a castle before, and I've certainly never built

a castle on top of a mound before.

So it's going to be quite a challenging project.

Once the area has been dug out, a solid base needs to be laid

for the castle to sit on.

And Alec has a go at being a digger driver.

Then it's William's turn.

But Mum, Dad and Grandpa don't get off lightly.

They have to get their hands dirty too!

This is going to be a massive den.

But we're allowed in, sure?

-Maybe.

-Some of the time.

But have Mum and Dad got any fears?

I think I'd be pretty upset if it was, like, just something

really garish that I have to look at all day long.

I think it will be fine, whatever they do.

Well, you'll just have to wait and see!

Mum and Dad, do you know what this sign means?

-"Dengineers only."

-It does, and what does that mean?

-We need to get out of here.

-Yes, you do, so sling your hook.

-Go on, get out, wave them goodbye, guys.

-Bye!

-Bye!

-See you!

-Bye!

After the sterling effort on the groundworks,

building can finally begin on the structure of the den.

And the rest of the Dengineers team arrive

in the remote Scottish Highlands.

First day, really looking to get a lot done.

I'd like to get both turrets of the castle up,

I'd like to get all the walls up and get the roof on.

It's so exciting, this is my den,

this is the den that I would love as a boy.

It's got everything going for it! It's a castle!

The walls of the structure go up in no time.

One, two, lift it up.

But the biggest job of the day is going to be getting this

round turret up into position.

Nice gentle walk, one, two, one, two...

This oak turret has got a staircase inside it

and weighs over 100kg -

that's as much as a baby elephant!

And it's got to go all the way around the house.

Right, OK, drop it down.

Now we've just got to lift it up. One, two, three.

Wahey! There we go.

And now it's in position, all that's left to do is

to fix the turret to the rest of the den.

Alec and Will, what do you think?

I LOVE it, I think it's amazing.

It looks incredible.

So as you can see, we're still a long way off from finished.

There's a lot of painting to get involved with -

-are you up for helping me?

-Definitely.

Brilliant, let's go.

There are two very important pieces of furniture

needed inside the boys' den. Their thrones!

And an upcycle out of old chairs is the perfect way to make them.

These are two old dining room chairs that we're going to upcycle

into thrones. OK, let's get on.

To turn these chairs into the finest thrones,

the first thing to do is prime them with white paint.

Go on, William, have some fun with it, that's it.

-They do look like thrones, don't they?

-They certainly do.

Once the chairs have dried,

they move on to covering them with gold paint.

Nice, strong strokes, like this. Nice, big strokes.

And the last thing to do is give the chairs a Scottish flair

with tartan fabrics.

Take a cushion each, OK... Hold the cushion tight

and drag it over, a bit like that.

There we are.

Fold it over, that's it, keeping it nice and stretched.

Now that we've got them nicely wrapped,

what we'll do is hand them over to Alex,

so that next time you'll see them, they'll look like real cushions.

The next time the boys see their upcycled chairs,

they'll have pride of place in their castle den.

Well done.

It's been a very productive day for the Dengineers,

and Sege is feeling positive about the den's progress.

Today's been really good, we've got loads done.

Got the turrets over, I was really worried about the turrets

because they are really, really heavy.

It's been brilliant.

I think the build has gone really well, and we've got a lot done.

It's starting to really look like a castle now.

It's day two, and the Dengineers are quick off the mark in Inverness.

Sege! How's it going?

Really, really well, Joe, but it's a long way from finished.

Today's a very, very big day.

We've got the electrics to do, we've got a lot of painting to do.

And the big thing, and I think it's a first for the Dengineers,

is we've got a big heavy drawbridge to go in.

Wow! That's exciting but terrifying.

The first big job of the day is to get this beast installed.

-Do you know what this is, boys?

-No.

Well, it's a drawbridge!

Aw, cool!

Every castle's got to have a drawbridge.

-How brilliant will that be?

-Amazing.

-Yeah.

How are you looking at the bottom, Greg?

As the team try to put the drawbridge into place,

they run into their first drawback.

Tell me what the problem is.

-It doesn't fit.

-The mechanism to operate the drawbridge

is too long to fit into the gap.

But with a bit of alteration, it's not long

before the Dengineers team figure out a solution.

Talk me through this drawbridge, how does it actually work?

You know, you see roller shutter doors on shops, don't you?

-That roll up.

-Yeah, that roll up, on a barrel.

The chains roll the shutters up vertically, you see.

Oh, you can't see that bit normally cos you can just see the blinds.

Exactly, so what we've done is we've done exactly the same thing.

So the pieces of string on here represent the chains.

So, if I turn the model around, you can see I've put this bolt in here.

And what the bolt does is the bolt acts as the barrel.

-And that pulls the door up.

-And it does, there you go.

Sege's feature drawbridge works by using a chain and barrel mechanism.

To make things move, the barrel, which is operated

by an electric motor at the back of the drawbridge, will roll round,

unwinding the chains to open it.

And the barrel rolls round in the other direction,

pulling the chains in, to close the drawbridge.

While the Dengineers team carry on with the build,

the boys have got the chance to put their own stamp on the den,

as no castle would be complete without a coat of arms.

And Alec and William know exactly what they're going to put on theirs.

Painting is fun.

With the boys busy making their own crest, I want to find out

from Mum and Dad why this den is so important for Alec and William.

All right, Mum and Dad? What we doing?

-We're making oatmeal chocolate-chip cookies.

-What can I do?

-You want to measure out the sugar?

-There is a real chance

-that I might get it all over your kitchen but I'll do it.

-Whoa, whoa!

-Too much?

-All right, now we need 225g.

225. While I'm doing that, how did Alec and Will get involved

in loving Scottish history?

Well, since they've been wee boys, I've been filling their heads with

all sorts of stories of Scottish history and their heritage.

I mean, they love learning and exploring.

It must be hard being this far away from, like, everything,

sort of with their friends and school and stuff.

Do you find it can be a bit isolating for them?

Sure. I mean, it's a journey into town if they want to go

and do stuff in there.

So, really, they've got to make their own fun out here.

Are you nervous about what they've done to your garden?

No, I'm not nervous, I trust these guys.

Well, there was a rumour that it was going to be hot pink, this den,

so I dunno if that's people pulling my leg or not.

What's this den going to mean to the boys?

It's that bit of independence, isn't it, it's their own space.

It's quite cool for them, as they're getting older,

to be able to feel like they've got a place to go that's their own.

-That's just theirs.

-That'd be quite good.

Yeah, and I think it will hopefully inspire them to, you know, explore

more of their history, to be really fired up and excited about it.

Sorry I didn't really help with baking, but it looks lovely.

-You'll eat some, you'll do that?

-Oh, absolutely, put it in my mouth.

Back at the build, and it's full steam ahead once more.

As the team crack on, Joe and the boys try their hand

at making one of the internal features.

Teamwork, lads, make a dream work.

Oh, no!

Well, I think we can safely say that flatpacks aren't your thing, Joe!

You're not wrong. It's all-go for the boys today.

The next task they have to get to grips with

is spray-painting the chandelier for the den.

And they've done an excellent job!

With the den looking in very good shape,

Sege has decided that a pathway leading up to it would look great,

so the diggers are called back to help with the job.

Shovels, please! Shovels! Help!

Joe, Alec and William have to get hands-on too!

Shattered!

It's pretty thirsty work!

Hang on a minute, where's everybody gone?

All right for some, innit?

It's the end of the day, and it's been another very productive one.

Today's been a pretty tough day, but it's been really fun.

Today I've enjoyed flattening all of the gravel out.

It was so heavy lifting it all up and putting it down.

I am really, really pleased with the way the build is coming on.

I think we're going to smash the reveal day.

I think it's going to be brilliant.

With day three on the horizon, it's back to business for the Dengineers.

The drawbridge is working and the castle is standing tall and proud.

Sege?

-Morning!

-Hello, mate!

-How are ya?

-How'd you get up there?

There's a ladder just there, mate. Come on up.

Got things to show you, it's a great view.

How are you? How good is this?

Wow! Look at it up here!

It's definitely the first time I've been on the roof of a den.

Well, you see, castles always had high lookouts

so that they could see enemies coming from afar.

-But this way you can see all your friends coming.

-Yeah!

The den is really taking shape, and everyone's getting stuck in.

Although I'm not entirely sure my talents include building

any type of shelving system!

Joe, have you done that shelf yet?

JOE CHUCKLES

Whilst the team work on the finer details,

it's time for Alec and William to take a back-seat.

This is the last time they'll see the den before the big reveal.

Right, boys, you've been absolutely brilliant, you've been a great help.

But I've got a few more surprises up my sleeve for you guys

that I need to get on with, without you knowing what they are.

So I'm afraid, chaps, it's time to go.

-OK.

-See you laters. Bye!

-Bye.

With Alec and William banned from the den, I've whisked them away and

brought them here to the historic fortress that is Edinburgh Castle.

It's said that there were once over 3,000 castles in Scotland,

and Edinburgh Castle is one of the most famous.

Dating back to at least the 12th century,

the castle sits on top of a volcanic rock.

This is so cool!

-Look at that!

-That is awesome.

So, guys, this is Gabby,

and she's going to be our historical guide today.

Hi, guys, welcome to Edinburgh Castle. So before I take you around

the castle and tell you a bit about it, I've got a little treat for you.

-So I've you want to follow me...

-Ooh, this is exciting!

-Just up here.

-Guys, guys!

-Hurry up!

In order to take a journey through history,

I think you need to look the part.

So in this room here I've got a couple of outfits

-I think you might like.

-Amazing!

Wow, you look really amazing!

But, Lauren, what are YOU wearing?

Yeah, I sort of look like I'm off to milk a cow!

But, do you know what, I will milk a cow

and then I will defend this castle!

So, how about we go and see the Great Hall?

-It's one of the many attractions in this castle.

-Amazing, let's go.

So, guys, welcome to the Great Hall. It was built early 1500s

by King James IV.

As you look around, there's some many things to see, but I'm going to

start by talking about the roof. King James got

the best ship-makers in town to make it,

which is why it sort of looks like the hull of a ship.

This is amazing. What do you think, guys?

Well, I like the swords all over the walls.

They're amazing, aren't they?

As the boys are pretty impressed with the weapons

and armour in the hall, Gabby's got a special treat for them.

Tell you what, guys, ditch this. We don't need these any more.

-Gabby, what's all this about?

-So these are replica weapons.

The first one I'm going to show you... This is our two-handed sword.

You can see, it's actually measured to chin height.

-If you want to give that a little hold...

-Whoa!

Careful, Alec! How does that feel?

-Really cool.

-Looks heavy.

So, it also doubles as a shield. Do you want to give it a hold as well?

-Wow!

-That's cool!

-And this would have been used about 1400s.

-So have you guys had a good day today?

-Yeah.

Excellent stuff. Gabby, thank you so much for showing us around.

No problem. Thanks for coming and seeing me.

Not at all. And, boys, we've actually got

-one last surprise for you. Are you up for it?

-Yeah!

-Come on, let's go.

Wow, that's loud! That's so loud, isn't it?!

-Yeah!

-Now, William has actually got quite sensitive ears,

so he's going to sit this one out but we are going to give it a blast.

Cameron, what do we need to do?

You need to blow in here and you need to fill the bag and play here.

-The bag is supposed to go under your arm.

-Right...

SILENCE

BAGPIPES GROAN Oh, yes! Don't laugh, carry on!

OK, that's really hard! Show us how it's done.

And there's one more treat for Alec and William.

We have got you these. These are sashes and they are made

out of the MacQueen tartan, which is one of your family clan's tartans.

-What do you think of those?

-They're really cool.

-Yeah!

-Oh, I'm glad, do you want to put them on?

-Yeah.

I found Edinburgh Castle really good.

I thought it was really fun going through and seeing

all the old swords and all the things they used in the olden days.

I may be wearing a dress that looks like a pair of curtains

but I can fight! Three, two, one! Argh!

I've had a great day today

but I just can't wait to get back to the den.

Do you know what? I think I'm just going to leave them to it.

Where's she gone?

Back at the build, Sege has it all in hand

and is feeling extremely optimistic.

Done! The past three days have been absolutely brilliant.

Been great fun. I'm really looking forward to the reveal.

Although there is one job I'm a bit worried about not being

finished on time, and that's Joe and the shelves.

Cos they're going on and on and on!

I don't know if he's going to finish them!

Oh, thanks, Greg!

Yeah, sorted it, done it!

It's the final day, and there's only a few hours before the big reveal.

-Segell! Segell strikes again, look at this!

-I know!

-Great, innit?

-It's incredible! That is massive.

We're not finished yet, though.

-OK.

-We've got loads and loads still to do.

-Course we do.

-What?

We've got to do some dressing, we've got some cleaning out to do.

We've got to get everything ready for the big reveal.

-And we're against the clock.

-Well, let's do it then, Sege!

-As much as I like talking to you, on you go.

-Come on!

-Get on with it!

As the crowd begins to gather, it's all hands on den!

This castle needs some serious decorating on the inside.

I'm really excited to see the den,

cos the Dengineers have put a lot of effort into building it.

We've been kept out of our garden long enough.

We're ready to see what the boys have done.

With one final push, we're finished just in time.

Alec and William wanted a space where

they could indulge their passion for Scottish history.

And Sege and the Dengineers have given them exactly that!

The once-empty mound has been transformed into a castle

fit for two kings.

-Guys, are you ready to see the den?

-Yes!

Here we go, then! In three, two, one...!

-Amazing!

-What do you think, lads?

-I think it's amazing.

-What do you think, Will?

-It's epic!

You've got your very own Scottish castle in the back garden, Dad.

-What do you think?

-It's fantastic,

I think it's going to go on the map of Scottish castles, it's that good!

And Lauren's got something extra-special to show to everyone.

You can go up the turret by climbing very carefully... And not only

can you go up into one turret,

you can walk across to the second turret,

and then...bear with me... OK, you ready for this?

-Ready?

-Three, two, one...

Look at that!

How cool's that?!

It's amazing!

-Yeah!

-There it is!

That is so cool!

-Do you want to have a look inside?

-Yeah!

-Come on, follow me.

Oh, wow, look at that! It's got mini bagpipes!

And there's the picture of us at Edinburgh Castle.

And these are the thrones we made.

-Sit down, see what you think.

-Eh, look at that!

And the chess table!

Good, innit?!

What do you think of the chandelier up the top as well?

Whoa, it's epic!

What's this?

Ah, you've found something special,

why don't you pull these chairs apart

and see if you can see what it is.

If you lift that up, Alec...

-Yay!

-It's a secret door!

It's a secret door!

There it is, watch your heads!

With its drawbridge...

..turret walkway...

..spiral staircase...

..and the boys' very own coat of arms,

this castle den has gone down a storm!

What do we reckon, guys, has Sege done a good job?

-Yeah!

-He's done the best job ever!

-BOTH:

-Thank you SO much!

Ah, you're welcome! It's been a pleasure, fantastic.

I think the den is the best ever.

I think it's the best the Dengineers have ever done!

Oh, wow! That is amazing, look at that, Charlie!

And finally, everyone else is allowed in.

-Absolutely amazing!

-It's better than we could have ever imagined.

To become Dengineers and to get to build something like this is

a wonderful experience for them.

We're in the treetops up here, it really is so high!

Wow!

It's safe to say this Scottish castle den is now

a new attraction here in the Highlands.

So there's only one thing left to do...

-ALL:

-This den is done!

CHEERING