0:00:33 > 0:00:36The summer is almost over on the tiny island of Barra
0:00:36 > 0:00:40in the Outer Hebrides, off the northwest coast of Scotland.
0:00:40 > 0:00:42The steady flow of tourists
0:00:42 > 0:00:45has slowed to a trickle as autumn approaches.
0:00:46 > 0:00:51Up at his house, beside the Catholic Church overlooking Castlebay,
0:00:51 > 0:00:53Father John Paul is up early.
0:00:53 > 0:00:58He's turning his thoughts to a well overdue and daunting task.
0:00:58 > 0:01:00Scrubbing brush.
0:01:01 > 0:01:04But it's not quite what it seems.
0:01:04 > 0:01:06Were you thinking of going up the hill?
0:01:06 > 0:01:09Oh, you were? Oh, fabulous!
0:01:09 > 0:01:12He's organising an annual pilgrimage
0:01:12 > 0:01:15involving as many of his parishioners as he can muster.
0:01:15 > 0:01:19My plan is to leave at half past and walk up then.
0:01:19 > 0:01:20Excellente!
0:01:22 > 0:01:24Scouring pads.
0:01:24 > 0:01:28It's going to take a good 30 minutes to get there and, erm,
0:01:28 > 0:01:31if one or two are wanting to get away before the half past,
0:01:31 > 0:01:32we can send a few up
0:01:32 > 0:01:37because it will just take that and we'll have to judge the weather.
0:01:37 > 0:01:40The excursion will involve Father John Paul hiking up
0:01:40 > 0:01:42one of the island's highest points,
0:01:42 > 0:01:46a challenge that even Barra's fittest might struggle with.
0:01:52 > 0:01:55Up at the northern end of the island,
0:01:55 > 0:01:58overlooking some of Barra's stunning beaches,
0:01:58 > 0:02:02a handful of campers are enjoying the last of the summer sunshine.
0:02:02 > 0:02:04Hello there.
0:02:04 > 0:02:05Hiya. Hi.
0:02:05 > 0:02:08- So, how are you enjoying it? - Lovely, yeah.
0:02:08 > 0:02:11- It's a nice day today. - It's grand - absolutely beautiful.
0:02:11 > 0:02:15Crofter and entrepreneur Angus John's campsite business
0:02:15 > 0:02:18has gone from strength to strength.
0:02:18 > 0:02:22- It's a success? - It is, I must say it's a success.
0:02:22 > 0:02:27- A roaring success? - I wouldn't say roaring, not yet.
0:02:27 > 0:02:31I don't use that word yet, but it's been a success.
0:02:31 > 0:02:34It's been more successful than I thought it would be.
0:02:34 > 0:02:37And I have plans for the future.
0:02:37 > 0:02:40Angus John has spared no expense
0:02:40 > 0:02:44when it comes to the on-site facilities.
0:02:44 > 0:02:46This is what I've done.
0:02:46 > 0:02:50This is a mixture shower just now, mixed,
0:02:50 > 0:02:53but next year I'm going to put another one of them in.
0:02:53 > 0:02:55Visitors from all over the world
0:02:55 > 0:02:58have been coming to Angus John's campsite.
0:02:58 > 0:03:02There's comments here from people from Germany, Switzerland,
0:03:02 > 0:03:06Holland, Poland and,
0:03:06 > 0:03:10well, I've got one there just now on the campsite from Thailand
0:03:10 > 0:03:14but I'm quite sure she'll leave a comment from Thailand and all,
0:03:14 > 0:03:18which is very nice - to meet people from as far away as that.
0:03:18 > 0:03:23Judging by their reaction, his future in tourism is looking bright.
0:03:23 > 0:03:26"Many thanks, Angus. Top campsite.
0:03:26 > 0:03:30"A wonderful view and a really pretty beach."
0:03:30 > 0:03:35And I see I must have got five stars there.
0:03:35 > 0:03:38But there's a looming threat on the horizon
0:03:38 > 0:03:41that could undo Angus John's future plans.
0:03:52 > 0:03:54The islanders are resourceful folk,
0:03:54 > 0:03:58often surviving on several jobs to make ends meet.
0:03:58 > 0:04:02One such canny individual, known to the locals as Coppertop,
0:04:02 > 0:04:06has been fishing these waters since he was a boy.
0:04:06 > 0:04:10There...that's a female one. It's got a wider tail.
0:04:10 > 0:04:12That's the eggs on the female.
0:04:12 > 0:04:14We try and put them back on the ground
0:04:14 > 0:04:16so that they are able to lay their eggs
0:04:16 > 0:04:17and help the stocks.
0:04:17 > 0:04:20That's been going for about ten years now
0:04:20 > 0:04:23and it's definitely made a difference.
0:04:23 > 0:04:25You just clip a notch in the tail.
0:04:26 > 0:04:30That lobster is then protected. Nobody can legally land that now.
0:04:30 > 0:04:34But now Coppertop is investing in a new venture
0:04:34 > 0:04:37that he hopes could supplement his fishing income.
0:04:37 > 0:04:38There she goes.
0:04:38 > 0:04:42It's unlike anything ever seen on the islands before
0:04:42 > 0:04:46and Coppertop thinks this could be a real money spinner.
0:04:46 > 0:04:48But it's early days.
0:04:49 > 0:04:52I presume these windows have got to be thick, have they?
0:04:52 > 0:04:57Yeah, they're toughened, and I'm not sure of the exact thickness,
0:04:57 > 0:04:59but I know the builder
0:04:59 > 0:05:03so I'm pretty confident he puts proper stuff in there.
0:05:03 > 0:05:04On a day like today,
0:05:04 > 0:05:07would tourists get on board and see anything, do you think?
0:05:07 > 0:05:09I've never really been out in one
0:05:09 > 0:05:13so I don't know what you could see, how much you could see.
0:05:13 > 0:05:15You've got to find all that out?
0:05:15 > 0:05:19Yeah, aye. It's like starting from scratch, like.
0:05:19 > 0:05:21If you've been fishing all your days
0:05:21 > 0:05:24it's a totally new... a totally new thing.
0:05:24 > 0:05:28- Does this mean you give up fishing? - I don't think I would do both.
0:05:28 > 0:05:32So I suppose if I was to go into it properly,
0:05:32 > 0:05:35you would have to look at getting out of the fishing.
0:05:35 > 0:05:39You'd have to do a lot of dealing with the public and the tourists.
0:05:39 > 0:05:43I don't know if that's for me either so that's another thing to find out.
0:05:43 > 0:05:46Coppertop's hoping to persuade some of the islanders
0:05:46 > 0:05:50to get aboard his futuristic glass-bottomed boat for a test run.
0:05:52 > 0:05:55But bad weather scuppers his plans for now.
0:06:03 > 0:06:07On the other side of the island, a small group of parishioners
0:06:07 > 0:06:10are also stopped in their tracks by bad weather.
0:06:10 > 0:06:12Together with Father John Paul,
0:06:12 > 0:06:16they've gathered at the foot of the island's tallest hill
0:06:16 > 0:06:20for a pilgrimage to give the statue of the Madonna her annual clean.
0:06:20 > 0:06:25We could go up there and there would be no view, you'd just...
0:06:25 > 0:06:27the cold air and... if the statue was at that level,
0:06:27 > 0:06:31see that wee hill up there, if it was just there.
0:06:31 > 0:06:34For the moment, they're going nowhere.
0:06:34 > 0:06:38As much as I love the blessed mother, and Jesus, erm,
0:06:38 > 0:06:40I think they would say,
0:06:40 > 0:06:43"Be sensible, John Paul, just come back another day.
0:06:43 > 0:06:46"Come back when there's a bit of better weather."
0:06:55 > 0:06:59For several months now, one of the island's best known characters,
0:06:59 > 0:07:03Maggie Mackinnon, known to her local friends as Scraggie Aggie,
0:07:03 > 0:07:05has spent almost every waking moment
0:07:05 > 0:07:07toiling over the mother of all jumpers
0:07:07 > 0:07:10as a gift for Father John Paul.
0:07:11 > 0:07:14All the locals have noticed her knitting marathon
0:07:14 > 0:07:19and are just as eager to see the final result as Father John Paul.
0:07:19 > 0:07:22- I can see you're busy there. - Yes, I am.
0:07:22 > 0:07:25- What's this you're up to? - It's for Father JP.
0:07:25 > 0:07:28Right, so have you got all his measurements?
0:07:28 > 0:07:31I have, but I think he's expanding all the time.
0:07:31 > 0:07:33It's all these curries he's eating in here.
0:07:33 > 0:07:35As the days went by,
0:07:35 > 0:07:38Aggie had been worried she'd run out of wool
0:07:38 > 0:07:41so she's been keeping a close eye on the measurements.
0:07:43 > 0:07:46- Maggie, are you in?- Yes, I'm here.
0:07:46 > 0:07:49- Hello!- Hello, Father.
0:07:49 > 0:07:53- Maggie, Maggie. How's things? - Ah, they're not too bad at all.
0:07:53 > 0:07:56It doesn't need to be as baggy as the jacket.
0:07:56 > 0:07:58Is this a waltz you're doing?
0:07:58 > 0:08:01Should you not be round the other side and we should be dancing?
0:08:01 > 0:08:03Double that... eh...
0:08:03 > 0:08:06I'd better not... eh... erm, 25.
0:08:06 > 0:08:09All the way around? That's fantastic.
0:08:09 > 0:08:12Yes, that's fifty all the way around.
0:08:12 > 0:08:15My mother would be so happy(!) MAGGIE LAUGHS
0:08:16 > 0:08:22The jumper is something to keep Father JP warm in the winter.
0:08:22 > 0:08:26We have always given to priests.
0:08:26 > 0:08:30He's a lovely man and he's devoted to everybody
0:08:30 > 0:08:35so...he really is, and he deserves everything he gets. He does.
0:08:35 > 0:08:41Today, after much anticipation, the big day has finally arrived.
0:08:41 > 0:08:46Down at the packed cafe, Father John Paul is nervously waiting.
0:08:48 > 0:08:51- Come in, come in. - It's nice to see you, eh?
0:08:51 > 0:08:53You made it.
0:08:53 > 0:08:57And I need to brush and comb my hair because it's a mess.
0:08:57 > 0:09:02- You're very pretty in pink today. - Ah, well, I'm not used to it.
0:09:03 > 0:09:06But having worked on her special gift for months,
0:09:06 > 0:09:11Aggie's determined to make the suspense last a wee bit longer.
0:09:11 > 0:09:13Oh, lovely.
0:09:15 > 0:09:18- Slainte.- Slainte. - To your good health.
0:09:18 > 0:09:23So, Maggie, you've invited me out today, what's in the...?
0:09:23 > 0:09:26What have you got hiding under there? Have you been shopping?
0:09:26 > 0:09:28It's quite a surprise.
0:09:28 > 0:09:31- You're putting the carrot before me, are you?- Oh, aye, aye.
0:09:31 > 0:09:35Dangling the carrot. So can I get a wee sneak preview?
0:09:35 > 0:09:38No. Na, na, na.
0:09:41 > 0:09:44Father John Paul is going to need the patience of a saint.
0:09:52 > 0:09:57For a while now, the islanders have had a dark cloud hanging over them.
0:09:57 > 0:10:01It concerns plans the Scottish Government have been considering,
0:10:01 > 0:10:04to make a large part of Barra's coastline an area
0:10:04 > 0:10:06of special conservation.
0:10:06 > 0:10:08Local fishermen say it will
0:10:08 > 0:10:11restrict their catches and harm the local economy.
0:10:11 > 0:10:14Now, bad news has spread round the island
0:10:14 > 0:10:17that these controversial plans have got a step closer
0:10:17 > 0:10:20to being approved.
0:10:20 > 0:10:23I got the email from the minister that they'll run
0:10:23 > 0:10:25a consultation on the Sound of Barra.
0:10:25 > 0:10:29They're all in shock, including campaigner, Angus MacLeod.
0:10:29 > 0:10:32...pull the rug from under our feet, basically.
0:10:32 > 0:10:37Angus thinks these restrictions could affect not just the fishing,
0:10:37 > 0:10:40but any businesses along these protected shorelines.
0:10:40 > 0:10:43It encompasses the whole of Eriskay.
0:10:43 > 0:10:46The whole south coast of South Uist,
0:10:46 > 0:10:49and many of the uninhabited islands.
0:10:49 > 0:10:54In here is the beach airport, the beach runway,
0:10:54 > 0:10:56and one, two, three,
0:10:56 > 0:10:59four, five, six piers at least,
0:10:59 > 0:11:01and a major ferry terminal.
0:11:01 > 0:11:04Any of these activities may be stopped.
0:11:04 > 0:11:06It's a big area, that, isn't it?
0:11:06 > 0:11:07It's massive.
0:11:07 > 0:11:11At the island's newspaper, they're hurriedly publicising
0:11:11 > 0:11:15the imminent public meeting with Scottish National Heritage,
0:11:15 > 0:11:19so the islanders can voice their objections.
0:11:25 > 0:11:29At last, back at the cafe, the waiting is almost over.
0:11:29 > 0:11:32Can I get a feel of it? A feel to see?
0:11:32 > 0:11:35For once, Father John Paul is lost for words.
0:11:40 > 0:11:41"Ba-Baa-Barra".
0:11:41 > 0:11:43"Ba-Baa-Barra".
0:11:44 > 0:11:48Please try it on, Father, so we can see it.
0:11:48 > 0:11:51SHE LAUGHS
0:11:51 > 0:11:55For Father John Paul, there's no place to hide.
0:11:57 > 0:11:59Do you think this suits me?
0:11:59 > 0:12:02SHE SPEAKS GAELIC
0:12:02 > 0:12:03What do you think?
0:12:07 > 0:12:08What do you think?
0:12:10 > 0:12:11And, on the back, that's me.
0:12:12 > 0:12:14"Ba-Baa-Barra".
0:12:14 > 0:12:16AGGIE LAUGHS
0:12:19 > 0:12:21D'you want a copy?
0:12:21 > 0:12:22SHE LAUGHS
0:12:26 > 0:12:28Can I get a wee huddle?
0:12:28 > 0:12:31Och, aye.
0:12:36 > 0:12:38We've got "Ba".
0:12:38 > 0:12:41Then we've got another one, "Baa". "Baa-raa".
0:12:41 > 0:12:44It's just something made out of love.
0:12:44 > 0:12:47That sentiment of great love,
0:12:47 > 0:12:50that she appreciates who I am, what I do,
0:12:50 > 0:12:52and written it down, perfectly,
0:12:52 > 0:12:54"Our own shepherd".
0:12:54 > 0:12:55And, I love it!
0:13:03 > 0:13:07Up at the island's tiny airport, the big cheeses
0:13:07 > 0:13:09from Scottish National Heritage
0:13:09 > 0:13:13have arrived for tonight's important public meeting.
0:13:13 > 0:13:14Heavenly Father, we pray
0:13:14 > 0:13:17for our islanders.
0:13:17 > 0:13:20We pray especially for our fishermen.
0:13:20 > 0:13:24We pray for all that are living, working upon our seas.
0:13:24 > 0:13:27That in these times of great uncertainty,
0:13:27 > 0:13:29these times of worry,
0:13:29 > 0:13:31that they may know you're with them
0:13:31 > 0:13:32by their side.
0:13:32 > 0:13:37Father John Paul is worried about the impact
0:13:37 > 0:13:39the proposals might have on his community.
0:13:39 > 0:13:41Everyone knows an island, you live off the sea,
0:13:41 > 0:13:44a huge, major part.
0:13:44 > 0:13:46If people aren't working and living off the sea,
0:13:46 > 0:13:49bringing their produce to the land, and then selling that,
0:13:49 > 0:13:53then it's not just the fisherman who's losing out, it's everyone.
0:13:53 > 0:13:55It's me. It's the doctor, it's the dentist,
0:13:55 > 0:13:58it's the head teachers. We're all losing out.
0:13:58 > 0:14:01It is a community-affected issue.
0:14:01 > 0:14:04Thank you very much for taking the time
0:14:04 > 0:14:07to attend this meeting about proposals for a special area
0:14:07 > 0:14:11of conservation in the Sound of Barra.
0:14:11 > 0:14:14You've lived and worked here for generations.
0:14:14 > 0:14:16You know the Sound of Barra better than I do,
0:14:16 > 0:14:19better than anybody on this panel does.
0:14:19 > 0:14:20We respect that.
0:14:20 > 0:14:24That's why we're here tonight, to speak to you, and listen to you.
0:14:24 > 0:14:28We want to make sure that you have all of the information to hand
0:14:28 > 0:14:31to help you to participate in this consultation.
0:14:32 > 0:14:35And the clock is ticking on that consultation.
0:14:37 > 0:14:40On the adjoining island of Eriskay,
0:14:40 > 0:14:43Father Calum's been following the campaign with interest.
0:14:43 > 0:14:46His island would also be affected by the proposals,
0:14:46 > 0:14:49and he resents the outside interference.
0:14:51 > 0:14:53They are imposing a new way of life on them,
0:14:53 > 0:14:57which threatens their very livelihood.
0:14:57 > 0:15:00How can you welcome anything like that?
0:15:00 > 0:15:03When people are digging away
0:15:03 > 0:15:06at the foundations of your community,
0:15:06 > 0:15:08traditions of the island.
0:15:08 > 0:15:11The only way open to you to make a real living.
0:15:11 > 0:15:14That, to me, is scandalous.
0:15:14 > 0:15:18OK, its environment, they call it, and so on.
0:15:18 > 0:15:21But what is environment without people?
0:15:21 > 0:15:24It's just an empty, deserted place.
0:15:24 > 0:15:27Once you take people away from an island,
0:15:27 > 0:15:30then you're threatening the life of the island.
0:15:30 > 0:15:34The meeting's been going on for over two hours.
0:15:34 > 0:15:38Both sides have been allowed to present their arguments.
0:15:38 > 0:15:40But tensions are running high.
0:15:40 > 0:15:42You know, we obviously don't have
0:15:42 > 0:15:45- the figures for everything to hand. - You should have!
0:15:45 > 0:15:48That's simply not possible.
0:15:48 > 0:15:50We'll make that information available to you.
0:15:50 > 0:15:54When? You must have it here!
0:15:54 > 0:15:56We'll get it for you tomorrow.
0:15:56 > 0:15:59You are destroying future opportunities for our children.
0:15:59 > 0:16:01We have noted every point you have made tonight.
0:16:01 > 0:16:05It's been recorded.
0:16:05 > 0:16:08It WILL form part of the consultation report.
0:16:08 > 0:16:11You are determined to railroad this through!
0:16:11 > 0:16:14We've told you a whole lot of reasons why we don't want it.
0:16:14 > 0:16:16A load of guys with wee boats,
0:16:16 > 0:16:19a load of people are trying to make a living go down the pan.
0:16:19 > 0:16:23We are listening to what you're saying, and will report it
0:16:23 > 0:16:27to Scottish Government, before a decision is taken.
0:16:30 > 0:16:33They're asking questions, but we're not getting answers,
0:16:33 > 0:16:35and the people aren't happy.
0:16:35 > 0:16:38The threat is to the livelihood of the island,
0:16:38 > 0:16:41it's to the economy and the future of the island.
0:16:41 > 0:16:44This could have, will have, a major impact
0:16:44 > 0:16:47on the future of this land.
0:16:47 > 0:16:50The islanders think it highly likely the Scottish Government
0:16:50 > 0:16:52will give the go-ahead,
0:16:52 > 0:16:56but are determined to fight until the final decision is made.
0:17:08 > 0:17:11Next morning, and, at last, the weather's improved,
0:17:11 > 0:17:13giving fisherman Coppertop
0:17:13 > 0:17:17a perfect opportunity to test out his new venture.
0:17:17 > 0:17:21Given the cloud hanging over the island fishing industry,
0:17:21 > 0:17:24this could be Coppertop's new future.
0:17:24 > 0:17:27But a lot hinges on today's dummy run.
0:17:27 > 0:17:31So, he's persuaded a few of the island's more outspoken characters
0:17:31 > 0:17:33to risk venturing aboard.
0:17:33 > 0:17:36Ah, we're going on the glass-bottomed boat.
0:17:36 > 0:17:41Scraggie Aggie and cafe owner. Rohill, with his entire family,
0:17:41 > 0:17:44are hoping it will be a trip of a lifetime.
0:17:44 > 0:17:49But their reaction could seal Coppertop's fate.
0:17:49 > 0:17:52We've just got a few friends out to test drive,
0:17:54 > 0:17:57so we'll just see what they think.
0:17:57 > 0:17:59If I hear quite a lot of noise I suppose it'll be good.
0:17:59 > 0:18:01HE LAUGHS
0:18:01 > 0:18:04But it's not long before one of the punters
0:18:04 > 0:18:07offers her heartfelt feedback.
0:18:07 > 0:18:10He's not done a very good job of cleaning the windows.
0:18:10 > 0:18:12Can't see a thing!
0:18:12 > 0:18:14She can be quite strict.
0:18:14 > 0:18:18Aye, I know! I think she's not easy to please, is she?
0:18:18 > 0:18:20It's not very clear.
0:18:20 > 0:18:24You know, at times it's clear enough, but at other times it's...
0:18:24 > 0:18:27- A wee bit murky?- Very murky, aye.
0:18:27 > 0:18:29Can't see a bloody thing!
0:18:29 > 0:18:31SHE LAUGHS
0:18:31 > 0:18:35Oh, dear! It's not quite the reaction Coppertop was hoping for.
0:18:35 > 0:18:41So, have we got a hope in the propeller here, have we?
0:18:41 > 0:18:43- SHE LAUGHS - We can't see too much.
0:18:43 > 0:18:47- We're a wee bit dark here, eh? - I know. That's the only thing.
0:18:47 > 0:18:50It looks like the recent storms,
0:18:50 > 0:18:53and an abundance of plankton have made the waters too murky.
0:18:53 > 0:18:56I'm a wee bit disappointed, actually.
0:18:56 > 0:19:00It's not the best start to Coppertop's test run.
0:19:07 > 0:19:09The summer season's almost over.
0:19:09 > 0:19:13And it's time for crofter, Angus John,
0:19:13 > 0:19:16to close down the campsite for the winter.
0:19:16 > 0:19:18The business has done well over the summer.
0:19:18 > 0:19:21But now, there could be a problem.
0:19:21 > 0:19:23Its stunning beach-side location
0:19:23 > 0:19:28lies within the government-proposed area of conservation,
0:19:28 > 0:19:31which HE thinks will mean all his plans to expand next season
0:19:31 > 0:19:32might have to be shelved,
0:19:32 > 0:19:36and this has wiped the smile right off his face.
0:19:37 > 0:19:39They don't have a clue.
0:19:39 > 0:19:42If these folk had been out here,
0:19:42 > 0:19:46would come out here and stay a winter or two out here,
0:19:46 > 0:19:50and find out what it's like to stay here,
0:19:50 > 0:19:52they would have a totally different view.
0:19:52 > 0:19:54But they don't listen to you.
0:19:54 > 0:19:57They just make the decisions and they don't care about you.
0:19:57 > 0:20:00They don't care about the island folk.
0:20:00 > 0:20:01It's going to be devastating.
0:20:01 > 0:20:05We'll be lucky if we'll be able to walk anywhere.
0:20:05 > 0:20:07You'll have signs up and all that. You can't do anything.
0:20:07 > 0:20:09And it's terrible.
0:20:09 > 0:20:12My feeling is that the crofters, the fishermen,
0:20:12 > 0:20:15and the people in the islands,
0:20:15 > 0:20:18go together and tell SNH to go to hell.
0:20:18 > 0:20:23Angus John's expansion plans may be under threat but he intends
0:20:23 > 0:20:25to stand shoulder to shoulder
0:20:25 > 0:20:30with the rest of the fearless islanders
0:20:30 > 0:20:34to stop outsiders taking away what is very precious to them.
0:20:44 > 0:20:48The break in the weather is also good news for Father John Paul's
0:20:48 > 0:20:51second attempt with his intrepid pilgrimage.
0:20:51 > 0:20:56Joining a small handful of locals is the redoubtable Sister Marie.
0:20:56 > 0:20:59We're starting up a bit earlier,
0:20:59 > 0:21:03as we don't think we could do it in the time the others do it.
0:21:03 > 0:21:05We're going on ahead of them,
0:21:05 > 0:21:07to make sure we get there at the same time.
0:21:07 > 0:21:10It looks pretty steep, but we're going to do it.
0:21:10 > 0:21:13As usual, Sister Marie, always dependable.
0:21:13 > 0:21:18Anything in the parish, anything I ask for, Sister Marie will be there.
0:21:18 > 0:21:21She'll be top of the list and she's doing that today with me,
0:21:21 > 0:21:25a great support to me, and I'm so pleased that she's coming along.
0:21:25 > 0:21:30The hike involves a strenuous 400 metre ascent up Heaval Hill,
0:21:30 > 0:21:33way above Castlebay's harbour.
0:21:33 > 0:21:36It's a climb Father John Paul's not going to rush.
0:21:38 > 0:21:42So far, so good...
0:21:42 > 0:21:46Haven't had to get the oxygen tent, or the defibrillator,
0:21:46 > 0:21:48or whatever you call it.
0:22:01 > 0:22:03Back on the water, canny Coppertop
0:22:03 > 0:22:06has used his local maritime knowledge to advantage.
0:22:10 > 0:22:12Oh! Trees, trees!
0:22:12 > 0:22:14Oh, look at that!
0:22:14 > 0:22:18He's taken the group to a special part of the island he knows,
0:22:18 > 0:22:21perfectly suited for his new boat.
0:22:21 > 0:22:24Even Aggie has changed her tune.
0:22:24 > 0:22:28Oh, that's quite amazing. Big, long reeds.
0:22:28 > 0:22:31There's stuff on this side. Woo!
0:22:31 > 0:22:34There seem to be some good howling noises
0:22:34 > 0:22:37coming from down there. Is that Maggie?
0:22:37 > 0:22:39I don't know if they're good or bad,
0:22:39 > 0:22:41but they're definitely howling noises,
0:22:41 > 0:22:44so we might be getting too shallow! HE LAUGHS
0:22:44 > 0:22:46Look at this! Another one.
0:22:46 > 0:22:48- What was that, Maggie?- Eh?
0:22:48 > 0:22:52- What was that? - A big jellyfish!
0:22:52 > 0:22:55If you can hear Maggie screaming, that's good!
0:22:55 > 0:22:58HE LAUGHS
0:22:59 > 0:23:01I don't see any fish.
0:23:01 > 0:23:04I've lived all my life,
0:23:04 > 0:23:07and I've never in my life been in a boat like this.
0:23:07 > 0:23:09- Have you not?- No.
0:23:09 > 0:23:10Cafe owner Rohill
0:23:10 > 0:23:14thinks Coppertop's on to a good money-spinner.
0:23:14 > 0:23:16I think it's a great business idea.
0:23:16 > 0:23:19Even when it's murky, it's still magical,
0:23:19 > 0:23:22because you're going under the water,
0:23:22 > 0:23:26and you can see the top of the water, and you can see down.
0:23:26 > 0:23:29It's a magical kind of feeling, like being in a wee submarine.
0:23:29 > 0:23:31I think anyone would enjoy it.
0:23:31 > 0:23:35I've certainly thoroughly enjoyed it, I have to say that.
0:23:35 > 0:23:39Do you think tourists would line up to come on this boat?
0:23:39 > 0:23:42I'd be amazed if they didn't.
0:23:42 > 0:23:44Coppertop will have to wait until next season to see
0:23:44 > 0:23:48if he can really make a go of his new boat trip business.
0:23:48 > 0:23:50But, even he could be at the mercy
0:23:50 > 0:23:52of the proposed special area of conservation.
0:23:59 > 0:24:02If one man knows the need for employment on the islands,
0:24:02 > 0:24:04it's Father Calum.
0:24:04 > 0:24:07He was born here, on Eriskay,
0:24:07 > 0:24:10and is a very familiar face.
0:24:10 > 0:24:14- Any mail for me?- Here we are.
0:24:14 > 0:24:17- Do you know all the postmen here?- Och, yeah.
0:24:17 > 0:24:22Of course. You know everybody. I even knew their grandfathers.
0:24:22 > 0:24:24CAR HORN
0:24:24 > 0:24:27Father Calum has been a priest for over 50 years,
0:24:27 > 0:24:31and he's seen a lot of changes affecting the islanders.
0:24:31 > 0:24:36There's about 140 people living in the island, more or less.
0:24:36 > 0:24:40When I was a child here,
0:24:40 > 0:24:43there were about 500 people living on this island,
0:24:43 > 0:24:48and so it was a very crowded island.
0:24:48 > 0:24:51There were big families, and so on.
0:24:53 > 0:24:57It was a very busy little place.
0:24:57 > 0:25:01There were, in the school in those days,
0:25:01 > 0:25:06at one stage I remember some 109 children in the school.
0:25:06 > 0:25:08But that's changed a little bit?
0:25:08 > 0:25:09It is down to eight.
0:25:11 > 0:25:12Yeah.
0:25:15 > 0:25:17Father Calum is only too aware
0:25:17 > 0:25:20how vulnerable the islanders' livelihoods are.
0:25:20 > 0:25:24But he has faith in their determination to survive.
0:25:24 > 0:25:27It's too precious a community to disappear.
0:25:28 > 0:25:31The strength of the community
0:25:31 > 0:25:34is the strength you get from one another.
0:25:34 > 0:25:35I hope that for the future,
0:25:35 > 0:25:38it WILL have a nice future.
0:25:38 > 0:25:41And a peaceful future.
0:25:41 > 0:25:43And a prosperous future.
0:25:55 > 0:25:59When Father John Paul first arrived on these islands,
0:25:59 > 0:26:01he was an outsider.
0:26:01 > 0:26:05Very aware how much the islanders depend on their parish priest,
0:26:05 > 0:26:08he's been determined not to let them down.
0:26:10 > 0:26:14Two years on, he's the focal point for the whole community.
0:26:22 > 0:26:25- Oh, oh, my. One small step. - We've done it!
0:26:25 > 0:26:27- We've done it.- We've done it!
0:26:27 > 0:26:31Oh, I don't even have the energy to lift my stick!
0:26:31 > 0:26:34Utterly gorgeous.
0:26:34 > 0:26:36Religion is a vital part of island life,
0:26:36 > 0:26:40and Father John Paul is seeing for himself
0:26:40 > 0:26:44just what makes these island communities so special.
0:26:44 > 0:26:47Their continued survival is down to cast-iron resilience,
0:26:47 > 0:26:50and a deep-rooted sense of tradition.
0:26:50 > 0:26:54But perhaps above all of this is their faith.
0:26:54 > 0:26:59We gather to give you thanks, for all the graces and blessings
0:26:59 > 0:27:01that you bestow on us,
0:27:01 > 0:27:04and we receive in this life.
0:27:04 > 0:27:09Continue to bless these islands and to bless all these people,
0:27:09 > 0:27:11especially in those times
0:27:11 > 0:27:14of sadness, and of difficulty.
0:27:14 > 0:27:16Be with all our families,
0:27:16 > 0:27:19and be with our youth.
0:27:19 > 0:27:21Guard and protect our young.
0:27:21 > 0:27:23Keep them safe,
0:27:23 > 0:27:25and away from all harm.
0:27:25 > 0:27:28Bless all our fishermen.
0:27:28 > 0:27:30And all who live and work upon our seas.
0:27:32 > 0:27:35May they never lose heart.
0:27:35 > 0:27:39But always continue in their work, providing for themselves,
0:27:39 > 0:27:43for their families, and for our communities.
0:27:43 > 0:27:45Bless all our crofters,
0:27:45 > 0:27:48and all who live and work upon these lands,
0:27:48 > 0:27:52so our communities may grow,
0:27:52 > 0:27:54and that many people will come
0:27:54 > 0:27:57to admire the beauty of these lands,
0:27:57 > 0:28:00and of the people.
0:28:00 > 0:28:02Bless these islands.
0:28:02 > 0:28:05And bless all its people.
0:28:05 > 0:28:08Amen. ALL: Amen.
0:28:28 > 0:28:31Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd