0:00:02 > 0:00:06This week, we're heading across the Firth of Forth to celebrate
0:00:06 > 0:00:09some of Scotland's finest views.
0:00:09 > 0:00:13This is the very busy Forth Road Suspension Bridge just outside
0:00:13 > 0:00:17Edinburgh and this year it celebrates its 50th anniversary.
0:00:17 > 0:00:20Just one in a host of Scottish landmarks this year including
0:00:20 > 0:00:23the Scottish referendum and the Commonwealth Games.
0:00:23 > 0:00:27So this week, we're celebrating all things Scottish, starting with this.
0:00:27 > 0:00:31Scottish engineering at its finest.
0:00:31 > 0:00:37Later we get a bit closer to this iconic structure, 500 feet up.
0:00:37 > 0:00:40And I'll be stretching my lungs with the bagpipes.
0:00:40 > 0:00:44So join us for a sing-a-long as we go to the top of the bridge
0:00:44 > 0:00:46to see some spectacular views.
0:00:47 > 0:00:50- Ready?- I'm SO ready. Are you ready?
0:00:50 > 0:00:52- Yeah.- Come on then!
0:01:00 > 0:01:03And to start us off rather appropriately, with views like this,
0:01:03 > 0:01:08I, The Lord Of Sea And Sky.
0:03:41 > 0:03:43As if I was ever going up there.
0:03:43 > 0:03:44500 feet up?
0:03:44 > 0:03:46You've got to be kidding me, right?
0:03:46 > 0:03:49Thanks for that, Connie. I'll do it on my own then.
0:03:49 > 0:03:50Say a prayer for me
0:03:50 > 0:03:54and I'll let you know what the view's like from up there.
0:03:54 > 0:03:57It may be the 50th anniversary of the bridge,
0:03:57 > 0:04:01but there's been a ferry here for over 800 years before that.
0:04:01 > 0:04:04The crossing is distinctly Christian in its heritage,
0:04:04 > 0:04:07originally for pilgrims travelling to
0:04:07 > 0:04:11Dunfermline Abbey in St Andrews back in the 11th century.
0:04:11 > 0:04:14Ten floors up in a lift and we're only part of the way there.
0:04:14 > 0:04:17We have to climb the rest.
0:04:17 > 0:04:20Building of the bridge began in the late 1950s.
0:04:20 > 0:04:23At the time, it was the biggest bridge outside America.
0:04:23 > 0:04:27A symbol of Britain's skill at civil engineering.
0:04:27 > 0:04:31The Road Bridge was set to symbolise a Scotland moving forward,
0:04:31 > 0:04:35even if the health and safety standards left a bit to be desired.
0:04:36 > 0:04:39Seven men died creating this feat of modern engineering and,
0:04:39 > 0:04:42apparently, they were paid danger money.
0:04:42 > 0:04:44The higher you worked, the more money you earned.
0:04:44 > 0:04:46I want to see if I can go right to the very top to get
0:04:46 > 0:04:49a feel for what it must have been like for them.
0:04:53 > 0:04:56This part of the climb was quite hard work but worth it.
0:04:58 > 0:05:02The view was quite literally breathtaking and left even me
0:05:02 > 0:05:05uncharacteristically lost for words.
0:05:06 > 0:05:08HE LAUGHS
0:05:11 > 0:05:13It's unbelievable!
0:05:15 > 0:05:19It's incredible to think that 60 years ago not a single
0:05:19 > 0:05:22rivet of this bridge was here.
0:05:22 > 0:05:26This is still one of the longest suspension bridges in Europe
0:05:26 > 0:05:29and, along with its older sister, the Rail Bridge behind me,
0:05:29 > 0:05:32is one of the man-made wonders of the modern world.
0:05:32 > 0:05:35About three or four miles that way is Dunfermline Abbey
0:05:35 > 0:05:38and on a clear day you can see it from here.
0:05:38 > 0:05:42And it's from there that our next hymn comes - Lord For The Years.
0:08:28 > 0:08:30Come in, David.
0:08:30 > 0:08:32BEEPING 'Can you hear me, Connie?'
0:08:32 > 0:08:34'I can.'
0:08:34 > 0:08:37'I'm right at the top of the world, it's amazing up here!'
0:08:37 > 0:08:42- Can you see me waving my hands? Can you see me?- I can see him, can't I?
0:08:42 > 0:08:46- I can see you! - 'Can you see me jumping around?'
0:08:46 > 0:08:48(Don't jump!)
0:08:48 > 0:08:50It's amazing up here.
0:08:50 > 0:08:53- 'Are you sure you don't want to change your mind?'- No.
0:08:53 > 0:08:55HE LAUGHS
0:08:55 > 0:08:58It's all right for David, he's got a head for heights.
0:08:58 > 0:09:02But down here, you really get a sense of the size of the bridge
0:09:02 > 0:09:05and just how important it is to those who use it.
0:09:05 > 0:09:10And it's not just the bridge that's busy. 2014 is Scotland's big year,
0:09:10 > 0:09:13and it's a jam-packed calendar.
0:09:13 > 0:09:15There's the Scottish Referendum -
0:09:15 > 0:09:18an issue hotly debated here and across the border.
0:09:18 > 0:09:20The big vote is just a few weeks away,
0:09:20 > 0:09:21and no matter what the result,
0:09:21 > 0:09:23the event will enter the history books
0:09:23 > 0:09:25as a pivotal moment for Scotland.
0:09:27 > 0:09:31The Ryder Cup, the world's biggest golfing event,
0:09:31 > 0:09:33is coming to Gleneagles.
0:09:33 > 0:09:36And with 71 countries competing from across the world,
0:09:36 > 0:09:38the Commonwealth Games is in full swing.
0:09:40 > 0:09:47# Let all the world in every corner sing
0:09:47 > 0:09:54# Let all the world in every corner sing
0:09:54 > 0:10:00# My God and King!
0:10:05 > 0:10:09# The heavens are not too high
0:10:09 > 0:10:14# His praise may thither fly
0:10:17 > 0:10:21# The earth is not too low
0:10:21 > 0:10:24# His praises there may grow
0:10:24 > 0:10:27# Let all the world
0:10:27 > 0:10:29# Let all the world
0:10:29 > 0:10:37# Let all the world in every corner sing
0:10:47 > 0:10:54# Let all the world in every corner sing
0:10:54 > 0:11:00# My God and King!
0:11:07 > 0:11:11# The church with psalms must shout
0:11:11 > 0:11:14# No door can keep them out
0:11:17 > 0:11:22# But, above all, the heart must bear
0:11:22 > 0:11:28# The longest part
0:11:29 > 0:11:34# Let all the world in every corner Let all the world
0:11:34 > 0:11:40# Let all the world in every corner
0:11:40 > 0:11:46# Every corner sing
0:11:46 > 0:11:54# My God and King!
0:11:54 > 0:12:00# My God and King!
0:12:01 > 0:12:07# Let all the world in every corner sing
0:12:07 > 0:12:18# My God and King! #
0:12:34 > 0:12:38HYMN ENDS
0:12:38 > 0:12:41BAGPIPES PLAY "AMAZING GRACE"
0:12:41 > 0:12:44Scotland's national instrument, the iconic bagpipes,
0:12:44 > 0:12:47are still hugely popular today.
0:12:47 > 0:12:49And you're certainly likely to hear
0:12:49 > 0:12:51the unmistakable sound before you see them.
0:12:54 > 0:12:55Louise!
0:12:57 > 0:12:59Wow, that was Amazing...Grace!
0:12:59 > 0:13:02- Louise, that was amazing! - Glad you enjoyed it.
0:13:02 > 0:13:04- You make it look so easy. - Well, it takes time to learn.
0:13:04 > 0:13:07It takes time, yes. I've been playing a long time.
0:13:07 > 0:13:09How did you get into play the pipes?
0:13:09 > 0:13:12Well, my father was the piper down at Gretna Green for 44 years.
0:13:12 > 0:13:15So, I'm keeping the family Marshall tradition alive.
0:13:15 > 0:13:18Your dress, is that a special type of tartan?
0:13:18 > 0:13:23Well, this was actually made for the papal visit in September 2010.
0:13:23 > 0:13:25What was it like, playing for the Pope and meeting the Pope?
0:13:25 > 0:13:29It was such an honour. I couldn't believe that I was playing for him.
0:13:29 > 0:13:33He came past me and he held out his hand, and I was halfway through
0:13:33 > 0:13:36Amazing Grace, and I thought, "If I just had my bottom hand off,
0:13:36 > 0:13:39"I can play a certain amount of the tune," I held it for quite a while.
0:13:39 > 0:13:42And then I thought, "Oh, I really need it back now!" I took it back,
0:13:42 > 0:13:45and it worked out perfectly and I continued with Amazing Grace.
0:13:45 > 0:13:47- So, do you think you could teach me? - Oh, but of course!
0:13:47 > 0:13:51- It looks like you've got potential. - You think?! Let's give it a go.
0:13:51 > 0:13:55Right, OK. So, first of all, what we need to do, this is the bass drone.
0:13:55 > 0:13:57- We put the bass drone on your shoulder.- Right.
0:13:57 > 0:14:00What you're going to do is, bring your left arm round,
0:14:00 > 0:14:03and you'll see, what we've got here is the pipe chanter.
0:14:03 > 0:14:06This is where you play the melody. This is the blow stick.
0:14:06 > 0:14:09- Oh!- Be careful!- A good start(!) - BOTH LAUGH
0:14:09 > 0:14:11Start to blow into the bag.
0:14:11 > 0:14:14Now, you need to fill up the bag as full of air as you can.
0:14:14 > 0:14:16So, you've got to use the bottom of your diaphragm,
0:14:16 > 0:14:19give it lots of puff. Once it's filled with air,
0:14:19 > 0:14:21use your right hand to push the bag underneath your arm.
0:14:21 > 0:14:23- PIPES DRONE - Well done, excellent!
0:14:23 > 0:14:26- We've got the drones going! - WEAK WHEEZY DRONING
0:14:26 > 0:14:28Would you like me to blow for you?
0:14:28 > 0:14:30Oh, you do it! I'm going to pass out in a minute!
0:14:30 > 0:14:32You know, that was fantastic
0:14:32 > 0:14:34because not many people can even get the drones going.
0:14:34 > 0:14:37So, I think we're about three quarters of the way there, really.
0:14:37 > 0:14:41- OK, you puff and I'll play. - DRONING
0:14:41 > 0:14:44BAGPIPE NOTE PLAYS
0:14:44 > 0:14:45- Are you ready?- Yeah.
0:14:48 > 0:14:49OK!
0:14:49 > 0:14:52'Well, I think I need a bit more practice.
0:14:52 > 0:14:54'So, I'm leaving it to the professional.'
0:14:54 > 0:14:58PIPES PLAY "HIGHLAND CATHEDRAL"
0:15:13 > 0:15:17# I will sing the wondrous story
0:15:17 > 0:15:22# Of the Christ who died for me
0:15:22 > 0:15:27# How he left his home in glory
0:15:27 > 0:15:32# For the cross of Calvary
0:15:32 > 0:15:37# I was lost, but Jesus found me
0:15:37 > 0:15:41# Found the sheep that went astray
0:15:41 > 0:15:47# Threw his loving arms around me
0:15:47 > 0:15:52# Drew me back into his way
0:16:01 > 0:16:06# I was bruised, but Jesus healed me
0:16:06 > 0:16:11# Faint was I from many a fall
0:16:11 > 0:16:16# Sight was gone, and fears possessed me
0:16:16 > 0:16:21# But he freed me from them all
0:16:21 > 0:16:26# Days of darkness still come o'er me
0:16:26 > 0:16:31# Sorrow's path I often tread
0:16:31 > 0:16:36# But his presence still is with me
0:16:36 > 0:16:41# By his guiding hand I'm led
0:16:50 > 0:16:55# He will keep me till the river
0:16:55 > 0:17:00# Rolls its waters at my feet
0:17:00 > 0:17:05# Then he'll bear me safely over
0:17:05 > 0:17:09# All my joys in him complete
0:17:09 > 0:17:15# Yes, I'll sing the wondrous story
0:17:15 > 0:17:20# Of the Christ who died for me
0:17:20 > 0:17:25# Sing it with the saints in glory
0:17:25 > 0:17:30# Gathered by the crystal sea. #
0:17:42 > 0:17:44SONG ENDS
0:17:46 > 0:17:49Back at the bridge, I thought I'd seen the best views.
0:17:49 > 0:17:52But Gordon says the only way to really experience it
0:17:52 > 0:17:55is to get on your bike. And he should know,
0:17:55 > 0:18:00he's been cycling it almost daily for the past seven years.
0:18:00 > 0:18:01Gordon, nice to meet you.
0:18:01 > 0:18:05Now, you know this bridge more than most, don't you?
0:18:05 > 0:18:09Yeah, I've crossed it a few times in the last few years, that's for sure.
0:18:09 > 0:18:11How many times?
0:18:11 > 0:18:14Well, I reckon it's about 200 times a year for the last seven years.
0:18:14 > 0:18:16That's about 5,000 miles?
0:18:16 > 0:18:19You've done 5,000 miles?! Why?
0:18:19 > 0:18:23There's only one way to find out, and that's to try it for yourself.
0:18:23 > 0:18:27And, as it happens, I've brought a bike and a helmet for you.
0:18:27 > 0:18:30- You want me to cycle? - I think you should.
0:18:30 > 0:18:32I hope you're a good teacher!
0:18:32 > 0:18:34HE LAUGHS
0:18:34 > 0:18:37- Have I got this the right way round? - Yes.
0:18:37 > 0:18:41And once I've got the kit on right, we hit the bridge.
0:18:46 > 0:18:48Wow, this is amazing!
0:18:48 > 0:18:49For Gordon, this daily cycle
0:18:49 > 0:18:52over one of the most iconic bridges in Scotland
0:18:52 > 0:18:56is his chance to reflect on his faith and marvel at creation.
0:18:57 > 0:19:00I think a lot on my bike, more than I think anywhere else.
0:19:00 > 0:19:04When you're crossing the bridge on a nice morning and you see the sunrise,
0:19:04 > 0:19:08it starts to make me think about the Earth's place
0:19:08 > 0:19:10in the universe and about life.
0:19:10 > 0:19:11It just puts things in perspective.
0:19:14 > 0:19:18'And, after a few wobbly moments, I think I got what he meant.'
0:19:18 > 0:19:21Something really unexpected is happening.
0:19:21 > 0:19:24I've found myself smiling!
0:19:24 > 0:19:27You strike me as the sort of person that smiles a lot!
0:19:27 > 0:19:31'Although I never did quite master the bike he lent me for the ride!'
0:19:31 > 0:19:34RUMBLING
0:19:34 > 0:19:37HE LAUGHS
0:19:37 > 0:19:40I think I might have been better off walking the bridge
0:19:40 > 0:19:42rather than cycling it.
0:19:42 > 0:19:44And that's what hundreds of people do every year
0:19:44 > 0:19:47when they take part in the Bridge Cross,
0:19:47 > 0:19:49a fundraiser for Christian Aid.
0:19:49 > 0:19:53In its 42-year history, it's raised over £1 million.
0:19:55 > 0:19:58Today, it's a sponsored walk, but as a competitive runner,
0:19:58 > 0:20:03Gordon ran it many times and still holds the Bridge Cross record.
0:20:03 > 0:20:06- How many crossings have you ever done in a four-hour period?- I've done 18.
0:20:06 > 0:20:12- 18?! How many miles is that? - I think it's about 27 or 28 miles.
0:20:12 > 0:20:15I've got to say, I just think that you are
0:20:15 > 0:20:18- maybe the fittest person I've ever met!- Oh, no! I'm definitely not!
0:20:22 > 0:20:24# The wandering of a traveller
0:20:26 > 0:20:29# For many miles I've roamed
0:20:31 > 0:20:34# This spirit of adventure
0:20:36 > 0:20:39# Is ready for a home
0:20:40 > 0:20:44# I've been battered on the east side
0:20:46 > 0:20:49# I've been beaten to the west
0:20:51 > 0:20:55# And soon this ship is sailing
0:20:55 > 0:21:00# Towards a place of rest
0:21:00 > 0:21:05# So safe in your harbour
0:21:05 > 0:21:10# Where storms rage no more
0:21:10 > 0:21:15# A true sanctuary
0:21:15 > 0:21:19# At peace on your shore
0:21:22 > 0:21:24# A shadow of the beautiful
0:21:26 > 0:21:29# A world that is to come
0:21:31 > 0:21:34# The promise of a resting place
0:21:36 > 0:21:39# When all our work is done
0:21:41 > 0:21:44# I've been battered on the east side
0:21:46 > 0:21:49# I've been beaten to the west
0:21:51 > 0:21:55# And soon this ship is sailing
0:21:55 > 0:21:59# Towards a place of rest
0:21:59 > 0:22:04# So safe in your harbour
0:22:04 > 0:22:08# Where storms rage no more
0:22:10 > 0:22:14# A true sanctuary
0:22:15 > 0:22:19# At peace on your shore
0:22:19 > 0:22:25# So safe in your harbour
0:22:25 > 0:22:30# Where storms rage no more
0:22:30 > 0:22:35# A true sanctuary
0:22:35 > 0:22:40# At peace on your shore. #
0:22:46 > 0:22:48SONG ENDS
0:22:52 > 0:22:56The Corrs, a Catholic family from Essex.
0:22:56 > 0:23:00Earlier this year, they responded to our appeal for a family
0:23:00 > 0:23:03to take part in some of our programmes over the summer.
0:23:03 > 0:23:06The idea is that we set them some challenges so that you found out
0:23:06 > 0:23:10how their Christian faith is woven into their lives.
0:23:11 > 0:23:13This week, we've asked the Corrs
0:23:13 > 0:23:17to bring a little bit of Scotland to their home county of Essex.
0:23:17 > 0:23:22OK. "Your challenge is to transform this church hall
0:23:22 > 0:23:26"into a party to celebrate all things Scottish.
0:23:26 > 0:23:33"The South-East-Essex Scottish Society will be arriving at 4pm.
0:23:33 > 0:23:37"Good luck." I think we're going to need it...
0:23:39 > 0:23:42With just two hours before the guests were due to arrive,
0:23:42 > 0:23:45- it was time to get kilted... - Fantastic!
0:23:45 > 0:23:49..start decorating, and cook.
0:23:49 > 0:23:53I think that an important part of my faith
0:23:53 > 0:23:56is to show people that I care by being hospitable.
0:23:56 > 0:23:59But Sam and Aimee had no idea what they were cooking.
0:23:59 > 0:24:03"You're serving tea, coffee, soft drinks and wine for your guests."
0:24:03 > 0:24:05Oh, goodness. "Cut haggis"!
0:24:05 > 0:24:07"Then you'll be serving traditional Scottish fare,
0:24:07 > 0:24:10"haggis with neeps and tatties."
0:24:10 > 0:24:14- Right, OK, let's wash our hands, come on.- Oh, no! Haggis!
0:24:14 > 0:24:18When I thought of haggis, I just felt so, like, freaked out.
0:24:18 > 0:24:22'At first I didn't want to touch it and everything.'
0:24:22 > 0:24:25Lamb offal, oatmeal, onion, beef suet...
0:24:25 > 0:24:27So, it is offal, you were right.
0:24:28 > 0:24:32- What is it, lambs' guts or something? - Don't think about it.
0:24:32 > 0:24:34It's a delicacy. It's going to be delicious.
0:24:34 > 0:24:36Especially with our whisky soup.
0:24:36 > 0:24:40Whilst Sam and Aimee got to grips with cooking haggis,
0:24:40 > 0:24:44Martin and the twins were busy getting the hall up to scratch.
0:24:44 > 0:24:46Don't forget to put the salt and pepper out.
0:24:46 > 0:24:48But time was running out.
0:24:48 > 0:24:50- And before they knew it...- Hello!
0:24:50 > 0:24:54..family, friends and members of the South-East-Essex
0:24:54 > 0:24:56Scottish Society arrived en masse.
0:24:56 > 0:24:58Hi, I'm Graham.
0:24:58 > 0:25:00Hello, pleased to meet you.
0:25:00 > 0:25:02- We always bring a bottle. - Oh! We'll hide that for later!
0:25:02 > 0:25:05- I like your kilt!- So do I!
0:25:05 > 0:25:08'For us, the essential part of the party is welcoming the people,
0:25:08 > 0:25:10'making them feel like they're the centre of attention.
0:25:10 > 0:25:14'And I think, for me, that stems from my faith as a Christian.'
0:25:14 > 0:25:18Because Jesus tells us to love one another.
0:25:18 > 0:25:21And, at the centre of that, is respect for others.
0:25:23 > 0:25:25As grace is said, Scottish-style...
0:25:25 > 0:25:27"Some hae meat but cannae eat
0:25:27 > 0:25:29"Some would eat that want it."
0:25:29 > 0:25:32..it's the rest of the family who turn out 20 plates
0:25:32 > 0:25:34of haggis, neeps and tatties.
0:25:34 > 0:25:36It's all right! Go, go, go!
0:25:38 > 0:25:42- And the Scottish fare goes down a treat.- It's lovely, isn't it?
0:25:42 > 0:25:46Giving food is a way of showing that you care about people.
0:25:46 > 0:25:49You're greeting people and saying, "Come to my table,
0:25:49 > 0:25:51"come and eat the food that I've prepared.
0:25:51 > 0:25:55"With my hands, I've done this. And I want you to share in it with me."
0:25:55 > 0:25:58Would anybody else like some more haggis?
0:25:58 > 0:26:00'Actually doing something for your community,'
0:26:00 > 0:26:03people you wouldn't necessarily meet
0:26:03 > 0:26:05is a nice way to share your faith.
0:26:05 > 0:26:08And even Aimee tucked into the haggis.
0:26:08 > 0:26:10Try the haggis. It's quite nice.
0:26:12 > 0:26:15With everyone finally fed, there was just time
0:26:15 > 0:26:19for the Scots to show the Essex crowd how they do entertainment.
0:26:19 > 0:26:21TRADITIONAL CEILIDH MUSIC
0:26:21 > 0:26:25I always wonder how great God's creation is that there's over
0:26:25 > 0:26:29six billion people on the planet and every single one of us
0:26:29 > 0:26:32is different in some way.
0:26:32 > 0:26:35'We need to respect and celebrate that.'
0:26:35 > 0:26:38Give yourself a round of applause, you were brilliant! Well done!
0:26:38 > 0:26:39APPLAUSE
0:29:33 > 0:29:35WEAK WHEEZING DRONING
0:29:35 > 0:29:38Music? This is nothing like music!
0:29:38 > 0:29:42You've created a whole new instrument - the bag drone.
0:29:42 > 0:29:43I've got to be honest, David,
0:29:43 > 0:29:47- I don't think bagpiping is really my bag.- It's definitely not for you.
0:29:47 > 0:29:49Hey, cheeky, where's your bike?
0:29:49 > 0:29:53Oh, listen, if I never sit on another saddle again, it will be too soon.
0:29:53 > 0:29:55Have they told you that you're cycling home?
0:29:55 > 0:29:57Please! I'd rather play the bagpipes! You play! Play!
0:29:57 > 0:30:00Seriously, we've had an awesome time in Scotland, haven't we?
0:30:00 > 0:30:02- It's been great! - And we hope that you have, too.
0:30:02 > 0:30:05- We'll see you next time on Songs Of Praise.- Bye-bye.
0:33:12 > 0:33:16Next week, Bill visits St George's Memorial Church in Ypres, Belgium,
0:33:16 > 0:33:21to commemorate the outbreak of the First World War 100 years ago.
0:33:21 > 0:33:24Classical chart-toppers Libera sing against the backdrop
0:33:24 > 0:33:28of the battlefields and uncover some of their own families' war stories.