0:00:05 > 0:00:08Winter is upon us, but where, oh, where, is the snow?
0:00:08 > 0:00:12This week, we're getting ready for it in the Scottish countryside.
0:00:31 > 0:00:33Hello and a very warm welcome to Landward.
0:00:33 > 0:00:37In a moment, I'll be trekking almost three hours into the Cuillins
0:00:37 > 0:00:39here on Skye to help the hardy characters
0:00:39 > 0:00:42who build and maintain our mountain paths.
0:00:42 > 0:00:45But first, here's what else is coming up on the programme.
0:00:45 > 0:00:47Haw! Haw! Haw!
0:00:47 > 0:00:50Sarah gets a job as a sled-dog handler.
0:00:50 > 0:00:53Oh, sorry, sorry, sorry.
0:00:53 > 0:00:55The first job of the day and I've dropped it!
0:00:57 > 0:01:01We celebrate 50 years of the Braemar Mountain Rescue Team.
0:01:01 > 0:01:04Way back when the team started, they used the pass here
0:01:04 > 0:01:08and, basically, built up their skills over that time.
0:01:08 > 0:01:10And I'm at Glenshee where work is well underway
0:01:10 > 0:01:13for what's hoped is going to be a brilliant skiing season.
0:01:23 > 0:01:26Picture yourself in a stunning wilderness
0:01:26 > 0:01:29where everyday life seems far away.
0:01:30 > 0:01:34Where all can suddenly be lost behind a thick curtain of mist.
0:01:36 > 0:01:38You may not have appreciated it at first,
0:01:38 > 0:01:43but the path that took you into that place may just be your saving grace.
0:01:45 > 0:01:47But there is a problem.
0:01:47 > 0:01:512.5 million hill walkers use these paths every year.
0:01:51 > 0:01:53I've come to find out what it takes
0:01:53 > 0:01:56to keep these trails in rock-solid condition.
0:01:58 > 0:02:01- Hi, Chris, how are you doing? - Hi, Dougie.- Sorry I'm late.
0:02:01 > 0:02:05'Chris Goodman from the John Muir Trust is taking me up Glen Sligachan
0:02:05 > 0:02:08'on Skye to see a section of footpath that's being repaired.
0:02:08 > 0:02:10'We have a long walk ahead of us.
0:02:17 > 0:02:20'Chris has inspected all 120 kilometres of footpaths
0:02:20 > 0:02:23'that are managed by the Trust
0:02:23 > 0:02:25'and has come up with a priority list of paths
0:02:25 > 0:02:27'most in need of repair.
0:02:28 > 0:02:30'The closer we get to where we're heading,
0:02:30 > 0:02:33'it becomes clear why this path was on the list.'
0:02:35 > 0:02:38We've been walking for about two-and-a-half hours now
0:02:38 > 0:02:41and we've come through some decent path, some bog and some burn,
0:02:41 > 0:02:44but when you get onto steeper ground,
0:02:44 > 0:02:46you really get a sense of the deterioration.
0:02:46 > 0:02:49It's not in good condition, it's very, very wide.
0:02:49 > 0:02:53And up here, about 300 yards, some boys are fixing it.
0:02:57 > 0:02:59I can see some work has been done here,
0:02:59 > 0:03:02but how did all this get so bad in the first place?
0:03:02 > 0:03:07Well, it's a combination of foot pressure and rainwater.
0:03:07 > 0:03:10It's a popular site, people walk up here.
0:03:10 > 0:03:12The vegetation gets trampled, then rainwater does
0:03:12 > 0:03:15the rest of the damage, washing away the soils underneath.
0:03:15 > 0:03:17OK, shall we get on with some of it?
0:03:17 > 0:03:20How big a deal is it to actually do something like this?
0:03:20 > 0:03:23Because we're in a pretty remote part of the hill, aren't we?
0:03:23 > 0:03:26Yeah, it's a two-hour walk just to get here in the first place.
0:03:26 > 0:03:30We need stone for building - for the steps and drainage features -
0:03:30 > 0:03:33and we have to fly that in from the hillside opposite.
0:03:33 > 0:03:35- OK.- Dump it in here on top.
0:03:37 > 0:03:40I would imagine all this would cost a fortune, as well.
0:03:40 > 0:03:41Yes, it certainly does.
0:03:41 > 0:03:45We're looking at about £200 a metre to fix this section of the path.
0:03:45 > 0:03:48Some of that cost is the helicopter that brought in the materials,
0:03:48 > 0:03:52but most of it's staff wages, it's very labour-intensive work.
0:03:53 > 0:03:56'But the fringe benefits are amazing.'
0:03:57 > 0:03:58Pretty physical, right?
0:03:58 > 0:04:01Very physical, aye, it's like going to the gym for eight hours a day.
0:04:01 > 0:04:06I love it. I don't need the gym fee, so it's brilliant. It keeps me fit.
0:04:07 > 0:04:09I'd rather be out here in the rain
0:04:09 > 0:04:11than stuck on a computer or something like that.
0:04:11 > 0:04:14I couldn't be dealing with that.
0:04:14 > 0:04:17I prefer doing it cos it's more of a natural look than sort of
0:04:17 > 0:04:20everything's straight and spirit levels and things like that.
0:04:20 > 0:04:23No, I like it, it looks natural, blends in with the landscape.
0:04:23 > 0:04:27Beautiful, I have the best office in the world. It's a cracker.
0:04:27 > 0:04:30Have a look around. You know?
0:04:31 > 0:04:35And what a difference all their hard work makes.
0:04:36 > 0:04:40I have to say, Chris, this is a much nicer thing to walk on.
0:04:40 > 0:04:43- It's lovely, isn't it?- Yeah, this is the work the guys have done
0:04:43 > 0:04:45over the last month, building all these stone steps,
0:04:45 > 0:04:48digging turf from nearby and landscaping the edges
0:04:48 > 0:04:50and it all helps it blend back in.
0:04:50 > 0:04:53How do you stop the paths that you've now fixed
0:04:53 > 0:04:56becoming like rivers or burns, because that's what often happens,
0:04:56 > 0:04:58the water finds its way onto these things
0:04:58 > 0:05:00and suddenly, there's massive erosion.
0:05:00 > 0:05:02Yeah, the key is making sure we get the water off the path.
0:05:02 > 0:05:05So we've got features like this, a cross drain,
0:05:05 > 0:05:07and a ditch feeding through it.
0:05:07 > 0:05:10That's crucial, making sure we get the drainage features
0:05:10 > 0:05:12in the right places and keep the water off the path.
0:05:12 > 0:05:16- Then it should be sustainable long-term.- You said £200 a metre.
0:05:16 > 0:05:19- Yeah.- How is that funded? That's a huge amount of money.
0:05:19 > 0:05:22There's very little government funding available for this work,
0:05:22 > 0:05:25so most of the money comes from our loyal supporters
0:05:25 > 0:05:28and members that donate and have donated quite a lot over the years.
0:05:28 > 0:05:30But it's always a struggle
0:05:30 > 0:05:33to get enough funding to keep the work going.
0:05:38 > 0:05:41You know, I take my hat off to these guys.
0:05:41 > 0:05:45The work they're doing is essential, but backbreaking.
0:05:45 > 0:05:46I couldn't handle it.
0:05:46 > 0:05:50In fact, I can barely handle the two-hour walk back to the car.
0:05:50 > 0:05:53See you later, guys. Thanks very much. Cheers.
0:05:57 > 0:06:01It doesn't matter how well maintained our footpaths are, there's always
0:06:01 > 0:06:05a risk that people will get into difficulty in the Scottish hills.
0:06:05 > 0:06:10Sarah's been to meet the volunteers of the Braemar Mountain Rescue Team.
0:06:19 > 0:06:21A few days after Christmas, in 1964,
0:06:21 > 0:06:25a group of young men set out to hike Beinn a' Bhuird in the Cairngorms.
0:06:25 > 0:06:27They got to the top safely enough,
0:06:27 > 0:06:30but on their way down an avalanche hit.
0:06:32 > 0:06:35Sadly, two of the men died, but their friend, Bob Burnett,
0:06:35 > 0:06:40was found alive, trapped in the snow, 22 hours later.
0:06:40 > 0:06:43His rescuers were police officers and locals from Braemar
0:06:43 > 0:06:47who carried him off the mountain in a tractor cart lined with hay.
0:06:50 > 0:06:53As the popularity of mountaineering began to grow,
0:06:53 > 0:06:55the number of accidents did, too.
0:06:56 > 0:06:59Braemar's residents recognised the need for a better equipped
0:06:59 > 0:07:02and better trained rescue service.
0:07:02 > 0:07:03That'll do fine.
0:07:03 > 0:07:06And so, the following year, in 1965,
0:07:06 > 0:07:09the Braemar Mountain Rescue Association was formed
0:07:09 > 0:07:13by a group of dedicated volunteers, just like these guys here,
0:07:13 > 0:07:17and this year, they celebrated their 50th anniversary.
0:07:21 > 0:07:24OK, all together. A little bit quicker, both ropes, please.
0:07:24 > 0:07:27I'm joining the Braemar rescue team on one of their training days
0:07:27 > 0:07:29at the Pass of Ballater.
0:07:32 > 0:07:34Yeah, a couple more metres, George.
0:07:34 > 0:07:37'Kenny Lawson has been a member for 40 years.'
0:07:37 > 0:07:41Kenny, a very busy team behind us. Just describe what's going on today.
0:07:41 > 0:07:44Yeah, this is just part of the regular technical training
0:07:44 > 0:07:46that the team does.
0:07:46 > 0:07:49The scenario they're working to is that a climber has fallen,
0:07:49 > 0:07:52he's injured, so the priority will be to get a rescuer
0:07:52 > 0:07:54down to him early on, make sure he's safe,
0:07:54 > 0:07:56can't fall any further,
0:07:56 > 0:07:59and thereafter they'll be looking to get the stretcher, so eventually
0:07:59 > 0:08:02we can get him bundled, packed in, and down off the cliff.
0:08:02 > 0:08:06Historically, has this been an area that's often been used for training?
0:08:06 > 0:08:08It has. Way back when the team started,
0:08:08 > 0:08:12there wasn't actually that many rock climbers amongst the volunteers.
0:08:12 > 0:08:14They were gamekeepers, shopkeepers.
0:08:14 > 0:08:15They used the pass here,
0:08:15 > 0:08:18learned about the equipment they would require
0:08:18 > 0:08:21and, basically, built up their skills over that time.
0:08:21 > 0:08:24OK, just going over, guys. Nice and steady.
0:08:24 > 0:08:27And those skills have come into use so many times.
0:08:32 > 0:08:36In 1971, the team faced the worst tragedy
0:08:36 > 0:08:38in Scottish mountaineering history.
0:08:40 > 0:08:44Five teenagers and their instructor lost their lives in a blizzard
0:08:44 > 0:08:45on Ben Macdui in the Cairngorms.
0:08:49 > 0:08:51It was an awful tragedy in 1971.
0:08:51 > 0:08:54How quickly can conditions change up the mountain?
0:08:54 > 0:08:57I mean, today, looking round about you, blue sky,
0:08:57 > 0:09:01and the sun, it's difficult to think what could go wrong up there.
0:09:01 > 0:09:04But the mountains can generate their own weather.
0:09:04 > 0:09:07And as you go higher, it just takes a bit of low cloud,
0:09:07 > 0:09:11a little bit more wind, and it becomes quite challenging.
0:09:11 > 0:09:13Are there rescue stories that have stuck in your mind?
0:09:13 > 0:09:16I suppose one that comes fairly readily to mind,
0:09:16 > 0:09:19it was back in 1990.
0:09:19 > 0:09:23And two guys making their way to the bottom of a route
0:09:23 > 0:09:26on Braeriach were avalanched.
0:09:26 > 0:09:29One guy survived, uninjured, but his companion,
0:09:29 > 0:09:33although he was on the surface, which was obviously a lucky break,
0:09:33 > 0:09:35he had quite serious back and leg injuries.
0:09:35 > 0:09:40The survivor made the long journey into Braemar to raise the alarm.
0:09:40 > 0:09:44The team turned out and it was 30 hours before we arrived,
0:09:44 > 0:09:47along with... You know, back with the casualty.
0:09:47 > 0:09:51And he was in amazing spirits, he had survived the night.
0:09:51 > 0:09:56The team doctor at that point produced a mobile phone.
0:09:56 > 0:09:59We'd heard of them, hadn't seen them up to that point.
0:09:59 > 0:10:02It was like a brick, but we were able to allow the casualty
0:10:02 > 0:10:06to phone home and he just reassured his parents that he was fine.
0:10:08 > 0:10:11And mobile phones are just one of many big changes
0:10:11 > 0:10:14to rescue equipment over the years.
0:10:14 > 0:10:16Some fantastic artefacts in front of us, Mark.
0:10:16 > 0:10:18Just describe a few of the things.
0:10:18 > 0:10:21OK, probably the boots are the most interesting ones.
0:10:21 > 0:10:23These are an ancient pair of Tricounis.
0:10:23 > 0:10:26Early pioneers, your Victorian gentlemen would recognise those.
0:10:26 > 0:10:29- They're pretty heavy.- They must be easily over a kilo each.
0:10:29 > 0:10:31It's a single-skin leather boot, basically,
0:10:31 > 0:10:34all this metalwork in the bottom. If you compare that to a modern boot,
0:10:34 > 0:10:36with layers of foam and all the rest inside,
0:10:36 > 0:10:39I'd get blisters walking across the car park.
0:10:39 > 0:10:41If you look at this sort of stuff, a tweed jacket,
0:10:41 > 0:10:45over a woollen jumper or something, would have been about as much
0:10:45 > 0:10:48as they could have hoped for, with tweed breeches, as well.
0:10:52 > 0:10:57And before I know it, I'm being rescued myself.
0:10:57 > 0:10:58Am I nervous?
0:10:58 > 0:11:01Well, I know I'm in safe hands, and I know these guys are experts,
0:11:01 > 0:11:03- but...- Oh, you've not met Grant!
0:11:03 > 0:11:05- LAUGHTER - Oh!
0:11:05 > 0:11:08Maybe not too tight over the bladder.
0:11:15 > 0:11:18Oh, my God, I think I feel quite sick.
0:11:18 > 0:11:22- Are you all right? - Yeah, I'm great...
0:11:45 > 0:11:47I'm here.
0:11:48 > 0:11:50- Is that me? - That's you, out you come.
0:11:50 > 0:11:53- Back on terra firma.- Yes. - Thank you very much.- You're OK.
0:11:53 > 0:11:56Wow, that was amazing.
0:11:56 > 0:11:59Having observed these guys, I'm absolutely in awe of what they do.
0:11:59 > 0:12:03I know things have changed hugely over the past half a century,
0:12:03 > 0:12:06but ultimately, their mission is still the same -
0:12:06 > 0:12:08to save lives.
0:12:15 > 0:12:17Next week is the last Landward of the series
0:12:17 > 0:12:20and we'll be showing you our highlights of the year.
0:12:20 > 0:12:22But we also want to know what your favourite item was.
0:12:22 > 0:12:26If you want to see something again, get in touch via our Facebook page
0:12:26 > 0:12:27or e-mail...
0:12:29 > 0:12:31..and we'll show the most popular choice.
0:12:33 > 0:12:38As we travel about Scotland, we like to stop and ask the folk
0:12:38 > 0:12:41we meet on the street what they love about the local area.
0:12:43 > 0:12:48And today, because I'm on Skye, I've come into its biggest town, Portree.
0:12:49 > 0:12:52If you come to the Isle of Skye, I wouldn't stay in a town,
0:12:52 > 0:12:55I would probably head up to Storr in the north end,
0:12:55 > 0:12:59or maybe go to one of the famous natural landmarks around there.
0:12:59 > 0:13:03I'd definitely go to the Old Man of Storr in Staffin or the Quiraing.
0:13:03 > 0:13:07We've got the Fairy Pools, as well, they're definitely a sight to see.
0:13:07 > 0:13:10If you want to avoid the crowds, don't go there, go somewhere else.
0:13:10 > 0:13:13There are hundreds of places to swim in Skye.
0:13:13 > 0:13:16Having a trip round the Quiraing
0:13:16 > 0:13:20and up past the Old Man of Storr is definitely my top tip.
0:13:20 > 0:13:23OK, OK, I get the picture.
0:13:23 > 0:13:25But if I DID have to stay in Portree...
0:13:25 > 0:13:28There's not a lot open this time of year.
0:13:28 > 0:13:31What Portree is good for is food. We've got good restaurants here.
0:13:31 > 0:13:34- Are you looking for some good food? - That would do, yeah.
0:13:34 > 0:13:38The hotel there, newly refurbished, lovely food there.
0:13:38 > 0:13:41I was there last Saturday and the food was just spot-on.
0:13:41 > 0:13:44Best place to eat would be Scorrybreac in the evening.
0:13:44 > 0:13:48The fish-and-chip shop down on the pier, that's excellent.
0:13:48 > 0:13:49Some very nice pubs here.
0:13:49 > 0:13:52I travel the world looking for the most gorgeous parts of the world
0:13:52 > 0:13:55and come home and realise that I actually come from one of them.
0:13:57 > 0:14:01For me, one of the must-sees of Portree is this - The Lump.
0:14:01 > 0:14:04Once the site of public hangings, now a pretty good place to walk around.
0:14:04 > 0:14:07It also has the Apothecary's Tower at the top,
0:14:07 > 0:14:10said to have been built to let passing sailors and ships know
0:14:10 > 0:14:13that medical supplies and expertise were here on Skye.
0:14:13 > 0:14:17And it also offers beautiful, beautiful views.
0:14:21 > 0:14:25We're going back to the mainland now for the third and last
0:14:25 > 0:14:27of guest presenter Martel Maxwell's forays
0:14:27 > 0:14:30into the Tayside tattie industry.
0:14:30 > 0:14:32This week, she's meeting a spirited farmer
0:14:32 > 0:14:36who wants us to drink his potatoes rather than eat them.
0:14:37 > 0:14:39In my days as a showbiz reporter,
0:14:39 > 0:14:42I attended a lot of swanky parties where the booze was flowing,
0:14:42 > 0:14:46but I never thought about how it actually got from our fields
0:14:46 > 0:14:49into my glass. So, when I heard about a local farmer
0:14:49 > 0:14:53producing vodka from potatoes, well, let's just say
0:14:53 > 0:14:55I invited myself along for a wee nosy.
0:14:58 > 0:15:01Graeme Jarron was born and raised on this farm in Angus,
0:15:01 > 0:15:03so he knows his potatoes.
0:15:03 > 0:15:07Today, he's deciding which ones are suitable for the supermarkets.
0:15:08 > 0:15:10- Hi, Graeme.- Hi, there. - What are you up to?
0:15:10 > 0:15:13We're busy grading potatoes today and these ones are deemed too small
0:15:13 > 0:15:16for what's required by the supermarkets.
0:15:16 > 0:15:19- OK, so they're used for the vodka? - These are, yes.
0:15:19 > 0:15:21And, typically, they would have been used for livestock feed.
0:15:23 > 0:15:24This is a real family affair.
0:15:24 > 0:15:30Dad Eric helps drive the forklift and Mum Grace grades the potatoes.
0:15:31 > 0:15:33Now, a birdie tells me your parents weren't always
0:15:33 > 0:15:36entirely convinced about the distilling.
0:15:36 > 0:15:39Yes, at the very beginning they told me not to be so stupid
0:15:39 > 0:15:40coming up with the idea that we did.
0:15:40 > 0:15:44But with micro-distilling taking off in Scotland and farmers having
0:15:44 > 0:15:48to think of diversification ideas, I won them around eventually.
0:15:48 > 0:15:52And it maybe isn't such a stupid idea in the end.
0:15:58 > 0:16:00Wow, so this is it!
0:16:00 > 0:16:03It's like Charlie's Chocolate Factory for vodka.
0:16:03 > 0:16:06- What happens here? - This is where the process happens.
0:16:06 > 0:16:08The potatoes are basically washed next door
0:16:08 > 0:16:11and they are brought into this machine here
0:16:11 > 0:16:12that minces the potatoes.
0:16:12 > 0:16:14- Mr Mincer.- Mr Mincer.
0:16:14 > 0:16:16- Transferred up and into our cooker. - OK.
0:16:16 > 0:16:20From there, we then transfer them into our fermenter.
0:16:21 > 0:16:25This process helps turn the potato starch into sugars,
0:16:25 > 0:16:27which yeast will then convert to alcohol.
0:16:27 > 0:16:29The liquid is then put into stills
0:16:29 > 0:16:33and the distillation takes about 16 hours.
0:16:33 > 0:16:37And if I turn this valve, the vodka should start to pour.
0:16:37 > 0:16:38There we go.
0:16:38 > 0:16:41It's about 96% alcohol at this stage,
0:16:41 > 0:16:43so, of course, that's pretty strong.
0:16:43 > 0:16:46It's got to be watered down before it can be bottled
0:16:46 > 0:16:47and put on our shelves.
0:16:50 > 0:16:52Graeme, here you are, bottling.
0:16:52 > 0:16:55Now, how many bottles do you do in a week?
0:16:55 > 0:16:59We typically produce in the region of 300 and 500 bottles a week.
0:16:59 > 0:17:02- If you want to put some corks in, that would be great.- I'd love to.
0:17:02 > 0:17:07- It all depends on what we have orders for.- Oh, it's stiff.- It is.
0:17:07 > 0:17:11Having had the experience in farming and no drinks experience,
0:17:11 > 0:17:14it's, you know, marketing, bringing together everything
0:17:14 > 0:17:16about building a brand, it's been a steep learning curve,
0:17:16 > 0:17:18- but we're definitely getting there now.- OK.
0:17:18 > 0:17:21There's only so much a girl can hear about vodka
0:17:21 > 0:17:23- before she wants a wee taste. - Yeah, that's not a problem.
0:17:23 > 0:17:26- Shall we go for a taste? - No, not a problem whatsoever.
0:17:26 > 0:17:28Let's go and do a taste.
0:17:28 > 0:17:32I believe at Landward you like to set your presenters new challenges.
0:17:32 > 0:17:34So, today we have our vodka
0:17:34 > 0:17:37and we have a mass-market grain-based vodka.
0:17:37 > 0:17:40So, I'd like you to try and pick out which is which.
0:17:40 > 0:17:44- OK, see if all your months and years of hard work...- Well, this is it.
0:17:44 > 0:17:46No pressure. OK.
0:17:46 > 0:17:47Right.
0:17:55 > 0:17:56Worse things to be doing.
0:18:04 > 0:18:07I think you are B.
0:18:07 > 0:18:09- Yes!- Brilliant.
0:18:11 > 0:18:13- It's smoother.- Excellent.
0:18:13 > 0:18:15- It's not as... You know. - Not as harsh.
0:18:17 > 0:18:19- I can sleep tonight.- So can I!
0:18:19 > 0:18:24And who knew that the tattie fields of Angus could pack such a wallop.
0:18:24 > 0:18:27Fine for a bit of apres-ski, I reckon.
0:18:28 > 0:18:30And it's back into the hills we go
0:18:30 > 0:18:33as we wait for the first serious dump of snow.
0:18:33 > 0:18:36There's lots of maintenance and preparations to do
0:18:36 > 0:18:37at Scotland's ski resorts.
0:18:37 > 0:18:40Euan's been to Glenshee to help out.
0:18:41 > 0:18:44It might not look like it at the moment,
0:18:44 > 0:18:47but Glenshee is Scotland's biggest ski centre,
0:18:47 > 0:18:50with 36 runs and 22 lifts.
0:18:51 > 0:18:53That means there's a lot of work to be done
0:18:53 > 0:18:56before the hill can open for the coming season.
0:18:59 > 0:19:04When the snow hits, Glenshee's slopes are packed with skiers.
0:19:04 > 0:19:07And the man responsible for the smooth running of the operation
0:19:07 > 0:19:08is Graham McCabe.
0:19:10 > 0:19:13- Graham. How are you doing? - Fine, Euan, good.
0:19:13 > 0:19:15Jump in, we'll head for the hills.
0:19:15 > 0:19:19- Up the hills. In the snow. - No bother.
0:19:19 > 0:19:21We'll go and see how far we're going to get today anyway.
0:19:41 > 0:19:44That, unfortunately, is as far as we're going to make it today, Euan.
0:19:44 > 0:19:46- You gave it a good go, though.- Aye.
0:19:46 > 0:19:47We've had the early snow.
0:19:47 > 0:19:51Unfortunately, a big mild spell last night, a big thaw.
0:19:51 > 0:19:54So, this must be a busy time for you in the run-up to Christmas.
0:19:54 > 0:19:59It is, Euan, the start of the season is very unpredictable.
0:19:59 > 0:20:01But you have to be ready, so when it does...
0:20:01 > 0:20:02What's going on at the moment?
0:20:02 > 0:20:05There seems to be people working everywhere.
0:20:05 > 0:20:08Most of the summer maintenance programme hasn't been completed.
0:20:08 > 0:20:12The maintenance on the lifts, the snow fencing repairs and renewals,
0:20:12 > 0:20:13and we're now moving into just getting
0:20:13 > 0:20:16the little bits and pieces that are necessary
0:20:16 > 0:20:19so we can press the button on the day when we're ready to go.
0:20:19 > 0:20:22So, when do you hope to open? When is the ideal time for you?
0:20:22 > 0:20:25Ideal would be about a week before Christmas.
0:20:25 > 0:20:28If we can get up and running, iron out the bugs,
0:20:28 > 0:20:32so that when everyone comes off their work for the winter holidays,
0:20:32 > 0:20:33we're all ready to go
0:20:33 > 0:20:36and they know there's skiing available in Scotland.
0:20:36 > 0:20:38- And you've got a new tow.- Yes.
0:20:38 > 0:20:42- That big new one going up there. - Yes, a new chairlift's going up.
0:20:42 > 0:20:45- Brilliant, let's go and have a look at it.- Aye.
0:20:45 > 0:20:50While some keen souls make the most of what little snow IS available,
0:20:50 > 0:20:54Graham takes me to see the installation of his new tow.
0:20:54 > 0:20:56Just in good timing.
0:20:56 > 0:20:57Just about perfect, isn't it?
0:20:57 > 0:20:59Just ready to set up.
0:21:02 > 0:21:05This is the drive unit of the new chairlift,
0:21:05 > 0:21:08so we're just getting the bits and pieces assembled
0:21:08 > 0:21:10onto the structure here.
0:21:10 > 0:21:13The main cable is arriving this afternoon.
0:21:13 > 0:21:17- That must be quite exciting.- That's why we've got the big crane on site.
0:21:17 > 0:21:20Where did you get this one from? Cos it's not looking brand-spanking new.
0:21:20 > 0:21:24It's a second-hand unit, it came from Gerardmer,
0:21:24 > 0:21:27which is in the Vosges Mountains of France.
0:21:27 > 0:21:30Very similar countryside to what we have in the Highlands of Scotland.
0:21:30 > 0:21:32So, what was wrong with the old one?
0:21:32 > 0:21:35It was really just getting by its sell-by date, Euan.
0:21:35 > 0:21:40It'd done 53 years here at Glenshee, built in 1962.
0:21:40 > 0:21:44It transported a lot of Scottish skiers up the hill.
0:21:44 > 0:21:48Capacity-wise, the new one is 1,400 skiers an hour,
0:21:48 > 0:21:51compared with 360 with the old one,
0:21:51 > 0:21:55so it is a very big increase in our uplift capacity.
0:21:55 > 0:21:56It couldn't have been cheap.
0:21:56 > 0:21:58There must have been a fair bit of expense.
0:21:58 > 0:22:02You still have the full installation cost on second-hand equipment.
0:22:02 > 0:22:04So, we're talking about the best part of
0:22:04 > 0:22:07£750,000 investment in this one lift.
0:22:08 > 0:22:11You've had a couple of good seasons in the last few years,
0:22:11 > 0:22:14has that given you the confidence to invest that kind of money?
0:22:14 > 0:22:17Because ten years ago, people would have said you were mad.
0:22:17 > 0:22:19Probably would have, yes.
0:22:19 > 0:22:23Just into the turn of the century, we'd suffered a few...
0:22:23 > 0:22:25Well, more bad seasons than good.
0:22:25 > 0:22:28But, fortunately, there's been a turnaround since then
0:22:28 > 0:22:30and four out of the last five have been good.
0:22:30 > 0:22:34So, more good than bad has given us more confidence.
0:22:34 > 0:22:36So, when the snow comes, you'll be ready to go?
0:22:36 > 0:22:38If this early snow comes to something,
0:22:38 > 0:22:40we're ready to press the button and get going.
0:22:42 > 0:22:46A lot of work and investment has gone in here at Glenshee,
0:22:46 > 0:22:48and at the other four Scottish ski resorts,
0:22:48 > 0:22:50as they prepare for the coming season.
0:22:50 > 0:22:53So, for the boarders and the skiers and myself,
0:22:53 > 0:22:55let's hope it's a good one.
0:22:55 > 0:22:59All we need now is just a wee bit more snow.
0:23:00 > 0:23:03And it's not just humans that crave the winter snow.
0:23:05 > 0:23:09There's a pack of canines in the Cairngorms who are eagerly awaiting
0:23:09 > 0:23:11the first significant fall of the season.
0:23:11 > 0:23:13Sarah's on their trail.
0:23:15 > 0:23:19I'm near Aviemore where I've come to be a sled-dog handler for the day.
0:23:23 > 0:23:26Teaching me to run with the pack is sled-dog racer Alan Stewart.
0:23:26 > 0:23:30- Alan, good morning.- Good morning. - How are you doing?- Not too bad.
0:23:30 > 0:23:32Dogs, dogs, everywhere. What's the plan for today?
0:23:32 > 0:23:36We're going on a training trip - about six miles -
0:23:36 > 0:23:38and you will be hands-on in everything.
0:23:38 > 0:23:40- OK, so, I'm your trainee sled-dog handler.- Exactly.
0:23:40 > 0:23:43You'll be working alongside Fiona and our main handler, Nicky.
0:23:43 > 0:23:46- OK, shall we get stuck in? - Yeah, 100%!
0:23:47 > 0:23:53Alan's been training his Alaskan husky sled-dogs for 15 years.
0:23:53 > 0:23:55- Sarah, this is Nicky.- Hi, Sarah.
0:23:55 > 0:23:58- What's happening here? Breakfast?- Yes.
0:23:58 > 0:24:01It's like a sort of dog soup that we make up for them before they go out.
0:24:01 > 0:24:03They get it every time before they run.
0:24:03 > 0:24:05It's good energy for them and also because we dilute it with water,
0:24:05 > 0:24:08it's the hydration that's good for running.
0:24:08 > 0:24:12- It's just dried food and we soak it. - It looks lovely! What can I say?
0:24:12 > 0:24:14So, once they're all filled, we hand them out?
0:24:14 > 0:24:16Yes, just dish them out to these guys.
0:24:16 > 0:24:19They know something is happening and they're going out.
0:24:19 > 0:24:23- We'll get Diesel done first. Just come over and put it down.- Hello.
0:24:24 > 0:24:26Oh, sorry, sorry, sorry!
0:24:26 > 0:24:29First job of the day and I've dropped it!
0:24:29 > 0:24:31HE HOWLS
0:24:31 > 0:24:33'The huskies sensed they could be hungry,
0:24:33 > 0:24:36'but, thankfully, my next attempts are better.'
0:24:36 > 0:24:38There you go.
0:24:38 > 0:24:40..He'll start eating... Good.
0:24:40 > 0:24:42'Dogs fed, it's on to working out
0:24:42 > 0:24:45'who will be picked for today's training run.'
0:24:45 > 0:24:47Have you got your team sorted for today?
0:24:47 > 0:24:50Yes, we'll be running with the blue team
0:24:50 > 0:24:53and we'll be running with senior leaders Poison,
0:24:53 > 0:24:57who was originally from Austria, and Broady who comes from Montana.
0:24:57 > 0:25:00And our main object of this training trip
0:25:00 > 0:25:02is to get Tiny, the rookie dog,
0:25:02 > 0:25:05which has only been in the kennel for three weeks,
0:25:05 > 0:25:08coming from Austria, to run up front. That's the plan.
0:25:08 > 0:25:10So, we need to get them harnessed up.
0:25:10 > 0:25:11Now we're going to harness
0:25:11 > 0:25:13and you'll be hands-on with the harnessing.
0:25:13 > 0:25:15- I'll go and help Nicky.- OK.
0:25:16 > 0:25:20- Will I get in here, Alan?- Yes. - Oh, my God.
0:25:20 > 0:25:21We're still tied...
0:25:21 > 0:25:24Whoa! We're still tied up,
0:25:24 > 0:25:29but you can just feel the power tugging on the buggy, it's amazing!
0:25:29 > 0:25:31- Are we ready to go? - Yes, ready to go.
0:25:36 > 0:25:38Whoa!
0:25:41 > 0:25:42Whoo-hoo!
0:25:42 > 0:25:44SHE SCREAMS
0:25:45 > 0:25:47OK, OK, OK!
0:25:50 > 0:25:53Haw! Haw! Haw!
0:25:59 > 0:26:01Alan races his huskies all over the world.
0:26:03 > 0:26:06How far can these dogs run for?
0:26:06 > 0:26:08This is just the start of the training season,
0:26:08 > 0:26:11so we'll do about six miles today.
0:26:11 > 0:26:14- But my guys can do 60 miles. - 60 miles?
0:26:14 > 0:26:19The last proper race I did, we did about 50 miles a day.
0:26:19 > 0:26:20That was in the Dolomites.
0:26:20 > 0:26:22OK, hup!
0:26:25 > 0:26:26We've just stopped for a moment
0:26:26 > 0:26:29to give them a bit of a rest and some water.
0:26:29 > 0:26:30They deserve it, don't they?
0:26:30 > 0:26:32- Whoa!- No, he's OK.
0:26:32 > 0:26:37We're going to start swapping the lead dogs now from Tiny up front.
0:26:37 > 0:26:42I'll bring Broady over, the big male, back, and...
0:26:42 > 0:26:43- This is Tiny.- That's Tiny.
0:26:43 > 0:26:46So, Tiny is about to take the lead.
0:26:46 > 0:26:49It's her moment to shine.
0:26:49 > 0:26:51'And with Tiny in front, we're off again.'
0:26:51 > 0:26:53OK.
0:26:54 > 0:26:56OK, Tiny's looking good.
0:26:58 > 0:27:00OK, OK!
0:27:02 > 0:27:03Amazing.
0:27:03 > 0:27:06We have incredible scenery, it's an amazing part of the world,
0:27:06 > 0:27:08but we don't have any snow. Does it matter?
0:27:08 > 0:27:10Yeah, well, it matters quite a bit.
0:27:10 > 0:27:13The problem is, when we go to Europe, we have to spend
0:27:13 > 0:27:17at least a couple of weeks getting our snow legs back.
0:27:17 > 0:27:19Because we can't train... It's not the dogs,
0:27:19 > 0:27:22it's the humans learning or remembering
0:27:22 > 0:27:24how to work a sled on snow.
0:27:26 > 0:27:28Let's go home.
0:27:35 > 0:27:37- Thank you so much.- Not at all.
0:27:37 > 0:27:41- It's been fantastic to get a window into your world.- You did very well.
0:27:41 > 0:27:44- Did I?- As a handler. Yes, you did very well.
0:27:44 > 0:27:46You can come back any time.
0:27:46 > 0:27:49Aww! You're saying all the right things. Thanks, Alan.
0:27:57 > 0:28:00From all the Landward team here in Portree,
0:28:00 > 0:28:02thank you so much for your company. Goodbye for now.