0:00:06 > 0:00:11Imagine a picture-perfect thatched cottage near its own white sand bay.
0:00:11 > 0:00:15That's one of the most beautiful beaches I've ever seen.
0:00:15 > 0:00:17Imagine a string of islands
0:00:17 > 0:00:24with some of the most remarkable wildlife in the British Isles.
0:00:24 > 0:00:27Imagine having the run of those islands on land...
0:00:27 > 0:00:31This is what the Outer Hebrides is all about.
0:00:31 > 0:00:34..and at sea.
0:00:34 > 0:00:39That's exactly what I'm doing for the next six months.
0:00:39 > 0:00:41I'm a voluntary wildlife ranger
0:00:41 > 0:00:44in this stunning chain of islands.
0:00:44 > 0:00:49My job will bring me into contact with amazing flora and fauna...
0:00:49 > 0:00:52Look at that! Fantastic!
0:00:52 > 0:00:58..and with the people in some of the most remote islands in Britain.
0:00:58 > 0:01:00Welcome to my great escape!
0:01:12 > 0:01:14As you can tell,
0:01:14 > 0:01:19it's high summer in Scotland and that's the town of Oban,
0:01:19 > 0:01:22on the British mainland.
0:01:22 > 0:01:26On my bow, I've got a seven-hour journey to a set of islands
0:01:26 > 0:01:31that's going to be my home for six months.
0:01:31 > 0:01:36The trip from my Bristol home to my new base in North Uist
0:01:36 > 0:01:39is over 600 miles!
0:01:39 > 0:01:43It's a continuation of a journey I started last year
0:01:43 > 0:01:46when I spent six months in Applecross,
0:01:46 > 0:01:50way up the coast, beyond the Isle of Skye.
0:01:50 > 0:01:55One of the things I learned in Applecross was all about community.
0:01:55 > 0:01:57Especially coming from the city,
0:01:57 > 0:02:03a frantic pace of life, they taught me what community's all about.
0:02:03 > 0:02:08Naturally, it wouldn't be half as much fun if I did it on my own,
0:02:08 > 0:02:11so Rubes is also coming along.
0:02:11 > 0:02:14Wouldn't dream of doing it without him.
0:02:14 > 0:02:18We're a couple of fellas off on a big adventure.
0:02:18 > 0:02:21This is where we're going to live. Over there!
0:02:21 > 0:02:25'I've made my living as a marine biologist and diver,
0:02:25 > 0:02:29'so forgive me for getting slightly excited!'
0:02:29 > 0:02:34Imagine these islands in sunlight, these waters flat calm
0:02:34 > 0:02:39and crystal clear, and these reefs just team with life.
0:02:39 > 0:02:44TANNOY: 'The vessel will shortly be arriving at Castlebay.'
0:02:44 > 0:02:48This is a proper wild, rugged set of islands.
0:02:48 > 0:02:51As a marine biologist, this is Nirvana for me.
0:02:51 > 0:02:55'Passengers who'll be disembarking follow the gangway.'
0:02:55 > 0:02:58To my regret, we're not getting off.
0:02:58 > 0:03:02We've been on the ferry four hours.
0:03:02 > 0:03:05This is the southern tip of the Outer Hebrides.
0:03:05 > 0:03:09We've got to move further north, about another two hours.
0:03:09 > 0:03:13The ferry will drop me at Lochboisdale.
0:03:13 > 0:03:17From there, it's an hour and a half by road
0:03:17 > 0:03:20to my new home at the top of North Uist.
0:03:20 > 0:03:22STARTING MOTOR WHIRRS
0:03:22 > 0:03:25Not a good noise, is it?
0:03:26 > 0:03:28WHIRRING
0:03:28 > 0:03:32The Landy has given up the ghost.
0:03:32 > 0:03:38I have a large queue of irate and tired motorists behind me wedged on the ferry.
0:03:38 > 0:03:41My starter motor's knackered.
0:03:41 > 0:03:44Oh, good. They're all getting out.
0:03:45 > 0:03:48- Put it in top gear.
0:03:48 > 0:03:52It's got two and a half tonnes of kit in it, that's the problem.
0:03:53 > 0:03:55ENGINE STARTS
0:03:59 > 0:04:03Hardly the triumphal arrival that I had in mind.
0:04:03 > 0:04:06Two days' drive, seven hours on the ferry,
0:04:06 > 0:04:09an hour and a half to go.
0:04:09 > 0:04:12I'm knackered, completely knackered.
0:04:17 > 0:04:21In six months' time, I'm going to be driving that way, towing the boat.
0:04:21 > 0:04:27Going home. I hope I've achieved something in that six months.
0:04:27 > 0:04:30The problem is, you can't just jump in.
0:04:30 > 0:04:35These are close-knit communities. They've got ways of doing things.
0:04:35 > 0:04:38It's going to be a real challenge.
0:04:38 > 0:04:42I need to tread carefully. I want to make my mark.
0:04:44 > 0:04:48It's 11 at night, but this far north there's a glow in the sky
0:04:48 > 0:04:51which picks out the landscape
0:04:51 > 0:04:56of tussock and sea lochs as I move from island to island.
0:04:56 > 0:04:59Just passed a sign saying North Uist.
0:04:59 > 0:05:02This is it. Arrival at long last.
0:05:02 > 0:05:07I'm a broken man, but this is it. This is home.
0:05:11 > 0:05:16It's fantastic, very Hans Christian Andersen.
0:05:16 > 0:05:19It's absolutely beautiful.
0:05:19 > 0:05:24'The cottage has stood here for several hundred years.'
0:05:24 > 0:05:26Home, sweet home.
0:05:26 > 0:05:29Looks as though it's made of icing.
0:05:29 > 0:05:32'Inside, everything is bang up-to-date -
0:05:32 > 0:05:36'everything an aspiring ranger could hope for.'
0:05:37 > 0:05:39- LAUGHING:- Outrageous!
0:05:41 > 0:05:44Rubes! Look at this! I'm a very happy man.
0:05:44 > 0:05:48A very tired man, but I'm a very happy man.
0:05:50 > 0:05:54There we are. This is base camp.
0:05:54 > 0:05:58It feels really homely, and I want to climb into that bed now.
0:05:58 > 0:06:00Which is what I'm going to do.
0:06:10 > 0:06:14Daylight reveals my new home in all its glory -
0:06:14 > 0:06:17a sheltered haven in a Hebridean landscape.
0:06:17 > 0:06:22After a year of city living, I can't get stuck in fast enough.
0:06:22 > 0:06:26Morning one. It's half past nine in the morning.
0:06:26 > 0:06:30Got in about one. Absolutely shattered.
0:06:30 > 0:06:32I keep walking round the house
0:06:32 > 0:06:35muttering to myself darkly,
0:06:35 > 0:06:39like some loon, about what an amazing place it is.
0:06:39 > 0:06:44Come on, Rubes. This is the manor. This ain't no park in Bristol.
0:06:46 > 0:06:49'The southern isles of the Outer Hebrides
0:06:49 > 0:06:54'consist of nine inhabited islands and dozens of uninhabited ones.
0:06:54 > 0:06:58'They're about as remote as you get in Britain.
0:06:58 > 0:07:02'The population of 6,000 is steadily declining,
0:07:02 > 0:07:06'as young people leave to live on the mainland.
0:07:09 > 0:07:11'The wildlife is outstanding.
0:07:11 > 0:07:16'11 species of whale and dolphin can be seen in these waters.
0:07:16 > 0:07:19'20,000 grey seals come to pup each year
0:07:19 > 0:07:23'and there are countless pairs of wading birds.
0:07:23 > 0:07:28'The coastal grassland, "machair", are home to an outstanding array
0:07:28 > 0:07:30'of wild flowers,
0:07:30 > 0:07:34'and are the last stronghold of the increasingly rare corn crake.
0:07:34 > 0:07:40'Being a nature ranger for such an extraordinary place is a dream job.'
0:07:43 > 0:07:46I'm just heading to Berneray.
0:07:46 > 0:07:50The tiny island is the most northerly part of my patch.
0:07:50 > 0:07:52It's home to 124 people.
0:07:52 > 0:07:56You can't accuse them of lacking ambition.
0:07:56 > 0:08:01They've been trying to get funding for a full-time nature ranger,
0:08:01 > 0:08:07so they like the idea that I'm happy to do it on a voluntary basis.
0:08:07 > 0:08:11This is the seal viewing point on the island of Berneray.
0:08:11 > 0:08:16It's the perfect example of what I'd like to do while I'm here.
0:08:16 > 0:08:20Focal points where, for example, you can see a large marine mammal.
0:08:20 > 0:08:25There aren't many places on the shore where that's guaranteed.
0:08:25 > 0:08:27There's a common seal colony here,
0:08:27 > 0:08:30so the locals put up an information board.
0:08:30 > 0:08:34They've got this exactly right. It blends in.
0:08:34 > 0:08:36Loads of great information.
0:08:36 > 0:08:40Two species of seal, the grey and common seal.
0:08:40 > 0:08:42The seals seen are common seals.
0:08:42 > 0:08:45That is a common seal.
0:08:45 > 0:08:49It's got a pug nose, slightly smaller than a grey seal.
0:08:49 > 0:08:54Looks a bit like a Labrador, a smooth labrador, basically.
0:08:54 > 0:08:59The other thing that's passed on here is key information.
0:08:59 > 0:09:04"Scotland has more than 90% of the UK population of grey seals
0:09:04 > 0:09:08"and 90% of the UK population of common seals."
0:09:08 > 0:09:13This is just the sort of thing I want to replicate while I'm here.
0:09:17 > 0:09:24My bosses are a committee of islanders and I'm keen to find out what they want me to do.
0:09:24 > 0:09:29From my perspective, I'm absolutely champing at the bit now
0:09:29 > 0:09:31to get on with it.
0:09:31 > 0:09:33We've got quite a few ideas.
0:09:33 > 0:09:37We have the opportunity to tap into the skills
0:09:37 > 0:09:40that you have as a marine biologist.
0:09:40 > 0:09:45Some sort of wildlife guide with birds and mammals and plants.
0:09:45 > 0:09:49I bet people have got some terrific photographs.
0:09:49 > 0:09:53If there are gaps, I can get the photos.
0:09:53 > 0:09:58That's something I'd love to do, as a budding wildlife photographer.
0:09:58 > 0:10:02We talked about having a board with short walks.
0:10:02 > 0:10:07In the Forestry, they've got a board up. You can do walk one, walk two.
0:10:07 > 0:10:12- Supported by the leaflets.- I will get stuck in like a man possessed.
0:10:13 > 0:10:17There's one other person I need to meet.
0:10:17 > 0:10:21Until 2003, the islands had a ranger who covered Berneray
0:10:21 > 0:10:24and the southern Outer Hebrides.
0:10:24 > 0:10:28But the funding ran out and the job came to an end.
0:10:28 > 0:10:31These causeways are incredibly significant.
0:10:31 > 0:10:35They're a very easy way to get from one island to another.
0:10:35 > 0:10:38Originally, they weren't linked,
0:10:38 > 0:10:44so the islands developed very much separate identities and cultures.
0:10:44 > 0:10:49To a degree, those identities and cultures have been blurred a bit
0:10:49 > 0:10:52with the arrival of the causeways.
0:10:54 > 0:10:58That ex ranger I'm going to see is Jimmy McLetchie,
0:10:58 > 0:11:02who I think is going to be a huge part of my time up here.
0:11:02 > 0:11:04Oh, look at that!
0:11:04 > 0:11:06It IS an owl!
0:11:06 > 0:11:10Fantastic! Like a guard of honour leading me in
0:11:10 > 0:11:12to the meeting with Jimmy.
0:11:12 > 0:11:18Jimmy's invited me to go fishing to brief me on what the job entails.
0:11:18 > 0:11:23- Hello, Jimmy. How's things? - Not bad. You all set for the day?
0:11:23 > 0:11:25I simply cannot wait.
0:11:25 > 0:11:28I've asked Jimmy to show me round,
0:11:28 > 0:11:33and the tidal pools where you catch sea trout are a good place to start.
0:11:33 > 0:11:37What a spot. What a spot. Let's get stuck in.
0:11:37 > 0:11:41- There you are. - What do you want to try?
0:11:41 > 0:11:45- Something slightly larger. - This is made with deer hair.
0:11:45 > 0:11:51- Deer hair gives it that buoyancy. - I had no idea deer were buoyant.
0:11:51 > 0:11:54I suppose they are. Very good swimmers!
0:11:54 > 0:11:58You don't need to cast a very long line.
0:11:58 > 0:12:02Slowly move the fly in. You can use the rod like that.
0:12:02 > 0:12:07Like a single flick. Ooh! A little flash. Was that at your fly?
0:12:07 > 0:12:09He didn't want it.
0:12:10 > 0:12:13That casual flick that Jimmy's doing.
0:12:13 > 0:12:17That takes about a lifetime to learn.
0:12:17 > 0:12:22- Just a bit of a flick?- Yeah. Up upright and then out straight.
0:12:23 > 0:12:26Between you, me and the gate post,
0:12:26 > 0:12:30with my Ninja guide, the Obi-Wan of fly fishing,
0:12:30 > 0:12:34don't let on that I've just hooked my own backside.
0:12:36 > 0:12:41We're fishing for sea trout, which return to the islands to spawn,
0:12:41 > 0:12:44but the big ones are famously elusive.
0:12:44 > 0:12:48It's not what I wanted. This is a new fly he's on.
0:12:48 > 0:12:52Let's look at what we've got here.
0:12:52 > 0:12:56- Is it a little bass?- It might be a sea trout. I'm not sure.
0:13:00 > 0:13:02It is a sea trout.
0:13:02 > 0:13:07- He's just taken the fly. - It's a little bar of silver.
0:13:07 > 0:13:12If salmon's the king of fish, this is the prince of fish.
0:13:12 > 0:13:14A quarter of a pound in weight.
0:13:14 > 0:13:20Not really for eating, but it means we might find some bigger ones.
0:13:20 > 0:13:23Jimmy, you were the ranger here.
0:13:23 > 0:13:27- I can see it in your eyes that you miss it.- Oh, yeah.
0:13:27 > 0:13:32It was one of the greatest things ever, showing people my environment,
0:13:32 > 0:13:37telling them what it was like to live here, the archaeology.
0:13:37 > 0:13:39It was incredible.
0:13:39 > 0:13:42How do you think I can help?
0:13:42 > 0:13:47We can look at the self-guided trails, we can look at the beaches
0:13:47 > 0:13:52and go into schools to deliver marine and environmental education.
0:13:52 > 0:13:54We've got so much marine here.
0:13:54 > 0:13:57We used to take kids onto the beach
0:13:57 > 0:14:01and tell them about the shores.
0:14:01 > 0:14:04Having you do talks would enthuse the schools.
0:14:04 > 0:14:07Definitely. I'd LOVE to do that.
0:14:07 > 0:14:10'Jimmy is now a tourist guide.
0:14:10 > 0:14:13'There's not much he doesn't know about his home.'
0:14:13 > 0:14:17Jimmy has taught me a method for getting cockles.
0:14:17 > 0:14:22Just find a bit of green on the sand and then just below there,
0:14:22 > 0:14:26strangely enough, will be a cockle, and these are delicious.
0:14:26 > 0:14:29That's dinner for tonight sorted.
0:14:29 > 0:14:34Jimmy's saying that the bit of seaweed that gives them away
0:14:34 > 0:14:37latches onto the shell of a cockle
0:14:37 > 0:14:43like a little flag giving away the position of a cockle.
0:14:43 > 0:14:48In evolutionary terms, that was a bit of a blunder.
0:14:48 > 0:14:53If I died and went to heaven, this is how I imagine heaven.
0:14:53 > 0:14:57You'd be Elle McPherson, but aside from that this would be heaven.
0:15:07 > 0:15:10Right, we've got clams. We've got bacon.
0:15:10 > 0:15:15We've got sweetcorn. We've got onion. We've got tomato sauce.
0:15:15 > 0:15:20I just stirred it together with lemon juice and black pepper.
0:15:23 > 0:15:28You're supposed to take them out of their shells first!
0:15:31 > 0:15:33Mm. Very nice.
0:15:38 > 0:15:43I know I'm here to do a job but I'm keen to have animals of my own,
0:15:43 > 0:15:45like I did last year.
0:15:45 > 0:15:48I'm here to see a man about a pig.
0:15:48 > 0:15:53There's a ferry about to hove into view from the Isle of Skye.
0:15:53 > 0:15:57On that ferry is an old mate of mine, Keith.
0:15:57 > 0:16:01If you need to know anything about pigs, he's your man.
0:16:01 > 0:16:05'Hopefully, I'm going to have a few pigs by the cottage
0:16:05 > 0:16:10'that I'll fatten up and then we'll slaughter them and eat them
0:16:10 > 0:16:13'Christmas, New Year.
0:16:13 > 0:16:15'Keith was my saviour last year
0:16:15 > 0:16:20'when I was blundering from one catastrophe to the next.
0:16:20 > 0:16:23'I can't tell you how glad I am that he's helping me out.'
0:16:23 > 0:16:26- Did you miss me?- Absolutely.
0:16:27 > 0:16:33The plan is today that myself and Keith are going to put up the fence
0:16:33 > 0:16:36for the pig enclosure.
0:16:36 > 0:16:39Right, mate. Let's crack on.
0:16:39 > 0:16:41See ya later(!)
0:16:42 > 0:16:44- Right.- Have a stick.
0:16:44 > 0:16:47One, two, three, four...
0:16:47 > 0:16:53One thing I learned was if there's a way out, they'll find it.
0:16:53 > 0:16:57This fence has got to be rock solid or they'll be gone.
0:16:58 > 0:17:03- That'll do about here, Monty. - OK. About there?- I reckon.
0:17:03 > 0:17:08- What happened to your other stick? - It fell over. It's the wind!
0:17:08 > 0:17:12That's an omen about my fence building.
0:17:13 > 0:17:18- You need a hole four foot deep that size.- Four foot?
0:17:18 > 0:17:20Do you want me to crack on there?
0:17:20 > 0:17:24- Find another spade.- No worries. I'll be about an hour!
0:17:31 > 0:17:34Rubes, you're not helping.
0:17:37 > 0:17:40These holes are for the strainers.
0:17:40 > 0:17:44You're a tail with an idiot hanging off it!
0:17:44 > 0:17:48This fence will not only be subjected to angry pigs...
0:17:49 > 0:17:56..but also to Hebridean storms, you know, 120-mile-an-hour winds.
0:17:56 > 0:18:00So these strainers need to be really strong.
0:18:00 > 0:18:04- What have you done with the soil? - Threw it there.
0:18:04 > 0:18:09- What are you going to put back in the hole?- The dog!
0:18:18 > 0:18:22A scene of Biblical endeavour. Out the way, Rubes.
0:18:25 > 0:18:28That'll do!
0:18:29 > 0:18:32Next job, put the bottom wire on.
0:18:32 > 0:18:36It's a real education working with Keith.
0:18:36 > 0:18:41He wants to do everything right. His work ethic is unbelievable.
0:18:41 > 0:18:44It completely puts me to shame.
0:18:44 > 0:18:45Right...
0:18:46 > 0:18:49Your left hand needs to be higher.
0:18:49 > 0:18:54'My ranger duties will include hammering fence and sign posts,
0:18:54 > 0:18:58'so it's important that I get it right.'
0:18:58 > 0:19:00Your left hand needs to be higher.
0:19:00 > 0:19:04See the top? You're meant to be hitting it flat.
0:19:04 > 0:19:08'I couldn't have a better teacher.'
0:19:08 > 0:19:12Eight o'clock in the evening. It's been a long old day.
0:19:12 > 0:19:15These squalls were blowing through all day.
0:19:15 > 0:19:18You get quite cold and it saps you a bit.
0:19:18 > 0:19:20But we've done well.
0:19:20 > 0:19:26We've built a fence that could contain an infuriated bull elephant.
0:19:26 > 0:19:28It's a proper Hebridean fence.
0:19:28 > 0:19:32You've got to drive everything in deep.
0:19:32 > 0:19:34I've really enjoyed it.
0:19:34 > 0:19:39I've learned about how to build a fence. It's quite complicated.
0:19:44 > 0:19:46Cheers.
0:19:59 > 0:20:04One thing about being on the coastline - the coast is there -
0:20:04 > 0:20:08loads of flotsam and jetsam gets washed up.
0:20:08 > 0:20:12Loads of these fishermen's buoys turn up.
0:20:12 > 0:20:15This is Rubes' Nemesis.
0:20:15 > 0:20:18This is his Everest.
0:20:18 > 0:20:21Go on, Rubes. Ready? Go on, Rubes!
0:20:21 > 0:20:27He can't get his mouth round it and he can't push it under water.
0:20:27 > 0:20:31And it makes him crazy. He just does that for 20 minutes.
0:20:31 > 0:20:34That's how I walk him now!
0:20:34 > 0:20:39Go on, Rubes! You can do it! Go on, Rubes!
0:20:39 > 0:20:43It does mean he'll have some sort of nervous breakdown!
0:20:43 > 0:20:47Well done, Rubes. Good boy!
0:20:48 > 0:20:50He always comes back in
0:20:50 > 0:20:53and he's, like, "I just can't do it."
0:20:53 > 0:20:56And then forgets next time.
0:20:56 > 0:20:58Come on, then. Let's go!
0:20:58 > 0:21:02You'll have it next time! Guaranteed.
0:21:05 > 0:21:08I haven't been here a week yet
0:21:08 > 0:21:12but I'm adjusting to the pace of the islands.
0:21:12 > 0:21:17You can't rush anything here, and my search for stock is no exception.
0:21:22 > 0:21:26For some reason that I haven't figured out yet,
0:21:26 > 0:21:30there aren't many pigs in the Outer Hebrides.
0:21:30 > 0:21:34There is a local lady who, apparently, does keep pigs.
0:21:34 > 0:21:38I see a pig shelter. The Bonnie View bed and breakfast!
0:21:38 > 0:21:42I enjoyed having the old pigs last time.
0:21:42 > 0:21:46Woke up to the sound of contented oinking in my cottage.
0:21:46 > 0:21:48Wait in there, Rubes.
0:21:50 > 0:21:55'Heather Morrison moved here from Glasgow when she was eight,
0:21:55 > 0:21:59'whilst her husband, Ian, is Hebridean born and bred.'
0:21:59 > 0:22:02Nice to meet you. I'm Monty.
0:22:02 > 0:22:04Be nice, Rubes!
0:22:04 > 0:22:09'They keep some nice rare breed pigs - Gloucester old spots.'
0:22:09 > 0:22:13He's never seen a Gloucester old spot piglet before!
0:22:13 > 0:22:16Rubes, what's this?
0:22:18 > 0:22:22- Big pig farmers will not rear them. - Really?
0:22:22 > 0:22:24It's too much trouble.
0:22:24 > 0:22:30'They're too slow-growing for modern pig farmers and are docile.
0:22:30 > 0:22:35'Their extra fat content makes them hardy so, for a novice like me,
0:22:35 > 0:22:39'in a place like this, they're the ideal pig.'
0:22:39 > 0:22:44Look at the size of that! This is Boris the boar.
0:22:45 > 0:22:48He's a big lad. Hello, Boris.
0:22:48 > 0:22:50He's your sire.
0:22:50 > 0:22:55- Will he ever go to slaughter? - No. He'll just die of old age.
0:22:55 > 0:23:02What a life! Should I return as an animal I'd like to return as Boris.
0:23:02 > 0:23:04Amazing.
0:23:04 > 0:23:08Just the bulk of Boris is so impressive -
0:23:08 > 0:23:12a pig, placid, happy animal,
0:23:12 > 0:23:15as opposed to this buffoon!
0:23:15 > 0:23:19To my delight, I found out that Heather also has turkeys.
0:23:19 > 0:23:24I thought I'd get some turkeys, big Christmas feast round my cottage.
0:23:26 > 0:23:28Chinned by a turkey!
0:23:30 > 0:23:35The grey ones are Narragansetts. They're a very rare breed.
0:23:35 > 0:23:39But I decided this year to get some traditional white.
0:23:39 > 0:23:42Obviously, you breed these for Christmas.
0:23:42 > 0:23:47These ones, except for one of the Narragansetts. I'll be keeping it.
0:23:47 > 0:23:52- Would you mind if I took a few of these?- Yeah. That's fine.
0:23:52 > 0:23:54Brilliant.
0:23:54 > 0:23:59Thank you, Heather. Turkeys and pigs! Brilliant.
0:23:59 > 0:24:03A whole range of new experiences already today.
0:24:03 > 0:24:05Being chinned by a turkey.
0:24:05 > 0:24:07Fantastic!
0:24:07 > 0:24:12- Very interesting. So, about a month's time?- A month's time.
0:24:15 > 0:24:20That should give me time to build a turkey run.
0:24:20 > 0:24:24My priority's getting to know the islands as well as I can.
0:24:24 > 0:24:28That means heading out into the unpredictable Atlantic ocean
0:24:28 > 0:24:31for a true wilderness experience.
0:24:31 > 0:24:35Big day today cos we're going out in the RIB.
0:24:35 > 0:24:39This is going to be a significant bit of kit for me.
0:24:39 > 0:24:43My "jurisdiction" as a voluntary nature warden
0:24:43 > 0:24:47means moving along this stretch of coastline.
0:24:47 > 0:24:53There are some fantastic features - a huge grey seal colony, the second largest one in Europe,
0:24:53 > 0:24:57and, of course, the wonderland of all the reefs.
0:24:57 > 0:25:01This is the way to get there, and it starts today.
0:25:13 > 0:25:15Oh, yeah.
0:25:22 > 0:25:28There's a bend so it's difficult to get down. He's doing fantastic.
0:25:28 > 0:25:29I'm a legend.
0:25:35 > 0:25:38- Fantastic.- We should quit now!
0:25:38 > 0:25:42That will be the most smooth thing we do all week.
0:25:42 > 0:25:47- That's pretty impressive.- Thank you. I'm sure you're being polite.
0:25:47 > 0:25:52We're just about to head out, but look at this water.
0:25:52 > 0:25:55This is crystal clear. It looks like the Caribbean.
0:25:55 > 0:25:59The reason is this is cold Atlantic water.
0:25:59 > 0:26:04There are few pollutants cos it's come right out from the Atlantic.
0:26:04 > 0:26:08This is very cold, full of oxygen, holds loads of nutrients
0:26:08 > 0:26:11and rammed with fish life.
0:26:11 > 0:26:13It's a beautiful sight.
0:26:17 > 0:26:21On the shoreline, you've got the markers,
0:26:21 > 0:26:25so when we head out, we start to line them up.
0:26:25 > 0:26:28It will be your guiding way back in.
0:26:28 > 0:26:31You can't beat the local knowledge Jimmy's got.
0:26:31 > 0:26:35Otherwise, you're picking your way through.
0:26:35 > 0:26:38The Monachs are five miles off shore
0:26:38 > 0:26:41but, from my bay, they're a 30-mile round trip
0:26:41 > 0:26:44in a boat I'd never taken to sea.
0:26:44 > 0:26:50Without Jimmy, I wouldn't even get out of the reefs in the bay.
0:26:56 > 0:27:00The Monachs consist of five low-lying islands
0:27:00 > 0:27:03and became a nature reserve in 1966.
0:27:03 > 0:27:07They're home to the second largest grey seal colony in the world.
0:27:07 > 0:27:10Over 100 species of bird have been recorded,
0:27:10 > 0:27:16including one of the largest black guillemot colonies in the UK.
0:27:16 > 0:27:20The name Monach derives from "monastery".
0:27:20 > 0:27:23There used to be one on the islands
0:27:23 > 0:27:26but they've been uninhabited since 1948.
0:27:26 > 0:27:30The lighthouse went out of operation many years ago.
0:27:30 > 0:27:35They've been recommissioning these and it came on in the last winter.
0:27:35 > 0:27:37It's got an 18-mile beam.
0:27:37 > 0:27:42Today, crofters ship sheep out here to graze in the summer months
0:27:42 > 0:27:48and fishermen use the old schoolhouse to shelter from storms.
0:27:48 > 0:27:50- Have we got any fenders?- No.
0:27:50 > 0:27:56- OK. Right.- ..Is the short answer! - That's another thing we need to get.
0:27:56 > 0:27:58Get your rope set.
0:27:58 > 0:28:02They're evocative places, lighthouses.
0:28:02 > 0:28:05Particularly deserted lighthouses.
0:28:05 > 0:28:11This has been a beacon for the islanders for many, many years.
0:28:11 > 0:28:14It faces into the open Atlantic.
0:28:14 > 0:28:16You know when you see the lighthouse
0:28:16 > 0:28:20and that big old beam turning, you're home.
0:28:23 > 0:28:27It's such an isolated spot - beautiful and peaceful -
0:28:27 > 0:28:32but there are still signs of the ferocity of the environment.
0:28:32 > 0:28:35You can still see a bit of the decking.
0:28:35 > 0:28:41That's been chewed up and spat out by the Atlantic.
0:28:41 > 0:28:45Just imagine the power of the waves that did this
0:28:45 > 0:28:49to this lump of metal, and got it this far up the beach.
0:28:49 > 0:28:54It's high tide. I'm a good 150 metres from the beach.
0:29:05 > 0:29:09I don't want to disturb them, but in there,
0:29:09 > 0:29:14are some young shag, I think.
0:29:14 > 0:29:18Perfect nesting spot, I suppose.
0:29:25 > 0:29:29The main reason Jimmy brought me was to show me things
0:29:29 > 0:29:33he feels can really make an impression on visitors.
0:29:33 > 0:29:38Imagine coming camping and you don't think there's anything here,
0:29:38 > 0:29:42and suddenly you're intertwined with the history.
0:29:42 > 0:29:47- Just small amounts of text. - It's important for me to see this.
0:29:47 > 0:29:53- This is the sort of thing, in terms of interpretation boards, that you want.- Yeah.
0:29:53 > 0:30:00Something that fits in with the environment, that will last a long time and won't disintegrate.
0:30:00 > 0:30:05I'm feeling a bit under pressure. Jimmy did a brilliant job as ranger.
0:30:05 > 0:30:08He's expecting the same from me.
0:30:08 > 0:30:11Turn round towards the white.
0:30:11 > 0:30:15We probably need to move at the most efficient speed.
0:30:15 > 0:30:20We don't have a huge amount of fuel but we should be fine.
0:30:20 > 0:30:22Along there.
0:30:22 > 0:30:26The reason for all this excitement, it's quite an early trip
0:30:26 > 0:30:30and the fuel was getting a bit low, or really quite low.
0:30:30 > 0:30:35- Quite low.- As in, I've no idea how the engine's still going.
0:30:35 > 0:30:37We were always perfectly safe.
0:30:37 > 0:30:42- We're here. We'll just land onto the pier.- No worries.
0:30:44 > 0:30:48- I'll hold her.- I'll reverse the Landy down. See you in four hours!
0:30:52 > 0:30:54Oh. Not much!
0:30:57 > 0:31:02'The realisation's dawned a bit about what I'm trying to do
0:31:02 > 0:31:05'in the very short time I'm here.
0:31:05 > 0:31:07'I've got to try to do stuff'
0:31:07 > 0:31:10that Jimmy, with all his experience,
0:31:10 > 0:31:17hasn't been able to do, because of lack of funding, for years.
0:31:17 > 0:31:20It's extremely intimidating.
0:31:20 > 0:31:24I said right from the word go that I wanted to make my mark,
0:31:24 > 0:31:29to leave a legacy, leave the place better than I found it
0:31:29 > 0:31:33in terms of the trails, in terms of the natural history,
0:31:33 > 0:31:37in terms of systems being in place.
0:31:37 > 0:31:41It's a real challenge I've set myself, I've realised.
0:31:41 > 0:31:44Jimmy doesn't suffer fools gladly.
0:31:44 > 0:31:49I get the impression that he has thrown a gauntlet down to me.
0:31:49 > 0:31:52We'll see. Begins here.
0:31:52 > 0:31:55Suddenly, I realise how short time is
0:31:55 > 0:31:59and how little I know, and how much I have to do.
0:31:59 > 0:32:02Rubes, what are you doing?
0:32:02 > 0:32:07The first thing I want to do is get out and do the trails.
0:32:07 > 0:32:12That's something I can do with my own two feet and two hands.
0:32:23 > 0:32:25Heading south, now.
0:32:25 > 0:32:30There's a weird thing going on here. It's a local custom, as it were.
0:32:30 > 0:32:35They say "up south". So I'm going up south at the moment.
0:32:35 > 0:32:39Down to Eriskay.
0:32:39 > 0:32:44Jimmy's given me various jobs while I'm out here, things to chase up.
0:32:44 > 0:32:48One of them is these self-guided walks.
0:32:48 > 0:32:51These haven't been touched for years.
0:32:51 > 0:32:55They'll be overgrown, sign posts will be down.
0:32:55 > 0:33:00I'm going to get out with a map and a GPS and try and run it.
0:33:02 > 0:33:06I'm here. I'll run down the shore. good chance to see otters.
0:33:06 > 0:33:12Then down onto the road again and along this long rocky shoreline.
0:33:12 > 0:33:16Should see really interesting stuff. Then back on the road.
0:33:16 > 0:33:22Got a camera to film myself huffing and puffing and sweating en route.
0:33:22 > 0:33:25Good for filming the subsequent rescue.
0:33:25 > 0:33:30Really looking forward to getting stuck in. Off we go.
0:33:30 > 0:33:32Come on, Rubes!
0:33:33 > 0:33:38Eriskay's the smallest inhabited island, less than three square miles
0:33:38 > 0:33:41and home to just 130 people.
0:33:41 > 0:33:46But it packs a fair old punch in wildlife, history and scenery.
0:33:56 > 0:34:00Halfway along the beach, you've got this,
0:34:00 > 0:34:02a monument to Bonnie Prince Charlie,
0:34:02 > 0:34:07who landed on this beach on 23rd July 1745.
0:34:07 > 0:34:11He started the Jacobite uprising that had a huge impact
0:34:11 > 0:34:14on the history of Scotland.
0:34:14 > 0:34:19Initially, it was successful but ended in defeat at Culloden,
0:34:19 > 0:34:23which affected the whole way the Highlands lived their lives.
0:34:23 > 0:34:29Traditional celebrations of island culture were pretty much banned.
0:34:32 > 0:34:36I think this is one of the old posts.
0:34:36 > 0:34:40It needs direction arrows, maybe a little thing saying what it is.
0:34:40 > 0:34:44There's a few of these on the route
0:34:44 > 0:34:47so I need to find the next one.
0:34:47 > 0:34:51Just out of interest, that black dot on the beach is my dog,
0:34:51 > 0:34:56who, apparently, has no interest in local history whatsoever,
0:34:56 > 0:34:58which is disappointing.
0:34:58 > 0:35:01Rubes, come on!
0:35:01 > 0:35:05'Tourism is the key to the island's economic future.
0:35:05 > 0:35:10'Part of my job is to improve the experience for visitors.'
0:35:10 > 0:35:13Not terribly gazelle-like on the road.
0:35:13 > 0:35:170ne of the things that's striking about this route
0:35:17 > 0:35:22is from the original map that was drawn up back in the mists of time,
0:35:22 > 0:35:24it's so easy to get lost.
0:35:24 > 0:35:28So all of these junctions need markers.
0:35:28 > 0:35:32Otherwise, we're going to have bewildered tourists.
0:35:32 > 0:35:37The idea for the new pamphlet I'm going to produce
0:35:37 > 0:35:41is that we have photos so you can't go wrong.
0:35:41 > 0:35:45A photo at each junction, so idiots like me can't get lost.
0:35:45 > 0:35:47Uphill now. Come on. Chop chop.
0:35:51 > 0:35:57It's uphill, but it's worth all the effort.
0:35:57 > 0:36:02Uphill here is where the great view of the islands is.
0:36:07 > 0:36:10It's a hard climb but it's worth it.
0:36:10 > 0:36:14I've got the wind in my face.
0:36:14 > 0:36:19Arrayed before me are Skye, Soay, Canna, Rhum, Eigg and Muck.
0:36:19 > 0:36:25It sounds like a recipe but it's one of the best views in the world.
0:36:25 > 0:36:29The Western Isles in all their glory. It's beautiful.
0:36:34 > 0:36:36It's a great run.
0:36:36 > 0:36:40If you walked it, took your time, I'm sure you'd see otters,
0:36:40 > 0:36:43beautiful quiet inlets, amazing views.
0:36:43 > 0:36:47One thing, everything's slightly fallen into disrepair.
0:36:47 > 0:36:51The tracks are very overgrown.
0:36:51 > 0:36:55So maybe take the quad bike in and really clear it all out.
0:36:55 > 0:37:01Get some good material out there and open up the magic of the island.
0:37:01 > 0:37:06How can you have that much energy? That is ridiculous!
0:37:06 > 0:37:09- You want to go round again? - BARKS
0:37:16 > 0:37:20Apart from a few plantations, there's a distinct lack of trees.
0:37:20 > 0:37:26As I'm going to be here into the winter, I need to think about fuel.
0:37:26 > 0:37:31Today, Jimmy's going to show me the ancient noble art of peat cutting.
0:37:31 > 0:37:37We're going to give you this here, a peat iron or tarasgeir in Gaelic.
0:37:37 > 0:37:40This is quite a special one.
0:37:40 > 0:37:46My dad got it at a sale in Harris. It had been used for generations.
0:37:46 > 0:37:50It's made to fit underneath your chin.
0:37:50 > 0:37:55You can lean on the top of it. This is the step.
0:37:55 > 0:37:58You'll be pushing down straight.
0:37:58 > 0:38:02First, you measure out the bog. 20 to 25 yards.
0:38:02 > 0:38:04About 25 strides, I guess.
0:38:10 > 0:38:16So we've got to cut to there. That's what you're doing today.
0:38:16 > 0:38:20Should have taken shorter strides! Schoolboy error!
0:38:20 > 0:38:24Here, it's exactly two foot across.
0:38:24 > 0:38:28We're going to start going through all the way down.
0:38:28 > 0:38:31If you keep going. More of a demo...
0:38:31 > 0:38:33You can do it that way as well.
0:38:33 > 0:38:37If you just keep coming, that's ideal.
0:38:37 > 0:38:39This is just the start for you.
0:38:39 > 0:38:43It's a nice feeling when you cut into it.
0:38:43 > 0:38:48Like slicing into a wet fruit cake. We all know how nice that feels!
0:38:48 > 0:38:51Go back now up here, and we'll start taking this
0:38:51 > 0:38:55across the way, cutting across the way.
0:38:55 > 0:38:57Lift it up a bit.
0:38:57 > 0:39:01My dad used to come out here when I was younger.
0:39:01 > 0:39:06- He used to cut in the moonlight. - Wow.- With the older people.
0:39:06 > 0:39:10I used to ask him, "Why are you doing that?"
0:39:10 > 0:39:13He said, "Why should I do it the next day?"
0:39:13 > 0:39:17They had such busy lives, the old crofters.
0:39:17 > 0:39:22- There is no avoiding the graft, is there?- No.- No substitute.
0:39:22 > 0:39:26- The next stage.- The peat iron. - The big beast.
0:39:26 > 0:39:29Sit it straight, steady continual push down.
0:39:29 > 0:39:32- Take the peat away now.- Got it.
0:39:32 > 0:39:34That goes there.
0:39:34 > 0:39:39So the blade stays straight. You back up, then we're going down.
0:39:39 > 0:39:43- Stand up.- Yeah. - You're standing up like that.
0:39:43 > 0:39:46Now you're throwing it out there.
0:39:46 > 0:39:50It's got to go in a straight line. The furthest peat is thrown there.
0:39:50 > 0:39:53'The peats are laid out individually.
0:39:53 > 0:39:56'It helps them to dry out.
0:39:56 > 0:40:00'I'll be back in a month to turn them over.'
0:40:00 > 0:40:03That's got an imprint of Rubes' face!
0:40:03 > 0:40:08'And then in another month to take them home.
0:40:08 > 0:40:10'It's my turn.'
0:40:10 > 0:40:15Pull back the blade that way and don't move it.
0:40:15 > 0:40:18- How are you liking that?- Very good.
0:40:18 > 0:40:23Feels very satisfying. Ask me the same question in six hours.
0:40:26 > 0:40:30These are the ones that Jimmy did, in neat lines.
0:40:30 > 0:40:35These were thrown by an increasingly desperate gasping man.
0:40:35 > 0:40:38I've gone for the scatter-gun approach.
0:40:38 > 0:40:42As opposed to the neat lines. Don't believe in neat lines.
0:40:43 > 0:40:45How are we getting on?
0:40:45 > 0:40:49Not bad. We're not even a quarter way yet.
0:40:49 > 0:40:52My dad had an idea when I was younger.
0:40:52 > 0:40:55He knew that I'd get tired quickly.
0:40:55 > 0:40:58He used to have a little bottle of whisky.
0:40:58 > 0:41:01He'd throw it down the bog and say,
0:41:01 > 0:41:04"Reach there and we'll have a break."
0:41:04 > 0:41:08So wherever this lands, we stop.
0:41:10 > 0:41:14- Rubes, bring it back! - Well done, Rubes.- Rubes!
0:41:34 > 0:41:36One more last piece.
0:41:36 > 0:41:38Last one. Nice and neat.
0:41:38 > 0:41:40Now, that,
0:41:40 > 0:41:45- is a good day's work! - Quarter of a day's work.
0:41:45 > 0:41:49Now put an initial in the peat to say you were here.
0:41:49 > 0:41:54I think most people will be able to identify my peat.
0:41:54 > 0:41:58It's badly cut and appallingly stacked, so it's unique.
0:41:58 > 0:42:02- A little sip of whisky, mate, to celebrate?- You've earned it.
0:42:02 > 0:42:05We have.
0:42:05 > 0:42:08I must learn not to throw flasks. Slainte mhath. Slainte mhath.
0:42:08 > 0:42:10Your good health.
0:42:11 > 0:42:14I'm renting my cottage from my neighbour,
0:42:14 > 0:42:18who happens to be an earl, the Earl of Granville.
0:42:18 > 0:42:22Most people here are on first name terms.
0:42:22 > 0:42:25That house is Fergus's, the laird.
0:42:25 > 0:42:29'Fergus runs the estate that owns virtually the whole of North Uist.
0:42:29 > 0:42:34'It's vital that I have him, his family and his dogs on my side.'
0:42:34 > 0:42:38- I'm Monty. Who are you?- George. - Hello, George.
0:42:38 > 0:42:43- Violet.- That's a lovely name, Violet. Hello, Rose.
0:42:43 > 0:42:46This one here's the top dog, another Ruby.
0:42:46 > 0:42:50- Two Rubies.- Really? How confusing!
0:42:50 > 0:42:55I thought it was summer. I thought it would be sunshine.
0:42:55 > 0:42:59- Is it normally sunny here?- Yeah. - Is it?- No.
0:42:59 > 0:43:05- Always sunny and hot(!)- Perpetually? I'd heard that about the place!
0:43:05 > 0:43:10Despite the shocking weather, Fergus is keen to get me out fishing.
0:43:10 > 0:43:14The first salmon of the season have been seen.
0:43:14 > 0:43:17The wind's blowing about 60 miles an hour!
0:43:17 > 0:43:22Storm's come in from the Atlantic. The perfect evening for fly fishing!
0:43:22 > 0:43:27Apparently, some salmon have come in. They're the king of fish.
0:43:27 > 0:43:32Usually when they've just arrived, a smaller fly is more effective.
0:43:32 > 0:43:37- It's not too bad out the wind. - Round the corner might be testing.
0:43:37 > 0:43:41- What's the largest salmon you've had?- Here, about 23.
0:43:41 > 0:43:45- About that length. - That is a substantial salmon.
0:43:45 > 0:43:50This is a seminal moment. I've never cast a fly for a salmon before.
0:43:50 > 0:43:54If I caught one, it would be a tremendous moment.
0:43:54 > 0:43:56It must be strange for them.
0:43:56 > 0:44:01They have to change from being in salt water to being in fresh water.
0:44:01 > 0:44:04That's a great evolutionary trick they've nailed.
0:44:04 > 0:44:07- That's very complex biology.- Yeah.
0:44:07 > 0:44:11It's one of the great migrations, isn't it?
0:44:11 > 0:44:16- These animals have been tagged over thousands of kilometres.- Absolutely.
0:44:16 > 0:44:21Considerable distances in a day to get back to their place of spawning.
0:44:21 > 0:44:24Why today? Conditions aren't ideal.
0:44:24 > 0:44:29Is it the grapevine, rumours of one or two fish in?
0:44:29 > 0:44:33I just heard that they had recently arrived in big numbers.
0:44:33 > 0:44:38When they've just arrived, they're often very keen to take the fly.
0:44:38 > 0:44:42So it's worth getting out and having a go.
0:44:42 > 0:44:46- WIND HOWLS - Listen to that wind!
0:44:46 > 0:44:49The wind moaning in the cables.
0:44:53 > 0:44:56It's a nice scene, isn't it?
0:44:56 > 0:44:58Father and son bonding.
0:44:58 > 0:45:00It seems ridiculous.
0:45:00 > 0:45:05We're in the teeth of an Atlantic gale here,
0:45:05 > 0:45:09but it's still salmon fishing in the Outer Hebrides
0:45:09 > 0:45:11with an absolute expert.
0:45:11 > 0:45:16I wouldn't be anywhere else. Great stuff.
0:45:16 > 0:45:21I don't think it's looking terribly promising. It's a bit too windy now.
0:45:21 > 0:45:26The water's getting stirred up, which makes the fish feel sick.
0:45:26 > 0:45:30- It can be officially classed as a heroic effort.- Absolutely.
0:45:30 > 0:45:35I'd have been at home thinking it's a perfect evening.
0:45:35 > 0:45:37Now I know it's not.
0:45:37 > 0:45:42- Is this as bad as it gets?- Well, I wouldn't say this was bad at all.
0:45:42 > 0:45:48I like this weather, especially on a beach. It's quite invigorating.
0:45:48 > 0:45:54With the wind and rain, you get the feeling of the open spaces.
0:45:54 > 0:45:56You grew up here most of your life?
0:45:56 > 0:46:01My parents moved here when I was four. I've been here ever since.
0:46:01 > 0:46:05- It's a great place for my children to be.- Yeah. Isn't it?
0:46:05 > 0:46:10It's somewhere that draws you back, even on a day like this.
0:46:10 > 0:46:14The thing about the weather is it's always changing.
0:46:14 > 0:46:19A day like this, then a good day. You see it coming over the Atlantic.
0:46:19 > 0:46:24It really ambushes you. It barrels in because we are in the Atlantic.
0:46:24 > 0:46:29The weather changes like that, which is what happened today.
0:46:29 > 0:46:33It can be gone equally quickly, but not tonight.
0:46:33 > 0:46:36This is it till January!
0:46:58 > 0:47:00BAGPIPES PLAY IN DISTANCE
0:47:00 > 0:47:03It's a perfect day.
0:47:03 > 0:47:07A nice bit of July sunshine and gentle sea breeze.
0:47:07 > 0:47:13There's an idyllic scene in front of me - the North Uist Highland Games.
0:47:13 > 0:47:18It's a small affair, a gathering of everyone from the islands.
0:47:18 > 0:47:23The communities that make up North Uist compete in cultural events -
0:47:23 > 0:47:28dancing, piping and athletics and then there are the heavy events,
0:47:28 > 0:47:32which attract some intimidating looking competitors.
0:47:32 > 0:47:36This is the heavy hammer, which just looks awesome.
0:47:36 > 0:47:39I'm hoping the light hammer, which I've entered,
0:47:39 > 0:47:43is a mallet, like the one they're banging in pegs with.
0:47:43 > 0:47:46The exact one they're banging in the pegs with.
0:47:48 > 0:47:52Look at the lads in the kilts.
0:47:52 > 0:47:56They've got massive spikes in the front of their boots
0:47:56 > 0:47:59for the shin-kicking competition.
0:47:59 > 0:48:01No, it's not!
0:48:01 > 0:48:06It secures them in the deck when they throw the big hammers.
0:48:06 > 0:48:10- You come from outside Uist? - I've come from Lewis.
0:48:10 > 0:48:14My cousin and another friend of mine came down for the day
0:48:14 > 0:48:19- to compete in the North Uist Games. - Yeah! Very important!
0:48:19 > 0:48:24- Looking at your technique, do you train a lot?- We train all year.
0:48:24 > 0:48:32I do it outside until October. The nights start to shorten and the weather gets a bit miserable.
0:48:32 > 0:48:36I go inside and start on the weights.
0:48:36 > 0:48:41- And, um...- So you take it pretty seriously?- Aye. You have to.
0:48:41 > 0:48:46- I'm doing the light hammer. - All right. Yes.- God help us.- OK.
0:48:46 > 0:48:49Any tips you've got for me?
0:48:49 > 0:48:53Say you're facing 12 o'clock?
0:48:53 > 0:48:57- Try and commence your pull about 2 o'clock.- Right.
0:48:57 > 0:49:00So that's that harsh, dragging it down?
0:49:00 > 0:49:05Keep your body as high as possible. You don't want to hit the ground.
0:49:05 > 0:49:08So, you do one, two,
0:49:08 > 0:49:13and then you catch it here and over out, left foot back.
0:49:13 > 0:49:17Thank you very much.
0:49:17 > 0:49:21- Are you doing the light hammer? - I will indeed.- I'll be watching.
0:49:22 > 0:49:24Monty Halls!
0:49:24 > 0:49:26How bad can it be?
0:49:26 > 0:49:31- You're after big Johnny!- Oh, right!
0:49:39 > 0:49:41Polite applause. Sort of golf club!
0:49:45 > 0:49:48The gentleman's broken the hammer.
0:49:48 > 0:49:51We can all go and have a beer now?
0:49:53 > 0:49:59'Unfortunately, the light hammer is replaced. Time for my next throw.'
0:49:59 > 0:50:01Marks for altitude.
0:50:01 > 0:50:04All right, Rubes, you idiot!
0:50:15 > 0:50:17'I've no points on the board,
0:50:17 > 0:50:20'but I'm dragooned into the Sollas B-team
0:50:20 > 0:50:26'to see if I can change this situation in the final event.'
0:50:26 > 0:50:28This is the tug-o-war.
0:50:28 > 0:50:32I wore my big boots cos I thought I might do the tug-o-war.
0:50:32 > 0:50:36Jimmy's said, "Monty, can I borrow your big boots?"
0:50:36 > 0:50:40I was like, "Of course you can, Jimmy."
0:50:40 > 0:50:45I've given him my big boots and it turns out he's pulling against me.
0:50:46 > 0:50:51I'm doing it in my socks. Jimmy's wearing my boots. Good work.
0:50:51 > 0:50:54I like what he did then.
0:50:54 > 0:50:56- Why don't I grab them?- Do they fit?
0:50:56 > 0:50:59And run! Let's go then, lads.
0:50:59 > 0:51:03Probably belong to some massive geezer!
0:51:06 > 0:51:07Jimmy!
0:51:07 > 0:51:11- Are those big on you? - No. They're just lovely.
0:51:11 > 0:51:13Just get on with it.
0:51:15 > 0:51:19Not only wearing boots that are four sizes too small,
0:51:19 > 0:51:23I'm also the anchor, apparently!
0:51:29 > 0:51:31Just hold it there!
0:51:31 > 0:51:34Playing a waiting game.
0:51:34 > 0:51:37Hold. Hold. Hold big man!
0:51:37 > 0:51:39Hold.
0:51:39 > 0:51:42CROWD SHOUTS: Pull!
0:51:55 > 0:51:59Poetic justice, that's what's just happened to Jimmy.
0:51:59 > 0:52:04Turns out when your toes are crunched up you can pull quite hard.
0:52:04 > 0:52:08How are the boots, Jimmy? Are they all right?
0:52:09 > 0:52:14- What did you think of the tug-o-war? - It's brutal. Savage.
0:52:14 > 0:52:16- Get it right.- OK.
0:52:16 > 0:52:18Easy tiger!
0:52:18 > 0:52:21All together, lads! Pull.
0:52:36 > 0:52:38Awesome.
0:52:38 > 0:52:41We were just toying with them.
0:52:41 > 0:52:43We're not people. We're tugs.
0:52:43 > 0:52:46Should give the handshake to Jimmy.
0:52:46 > 0:52:48Well done.
0:52:54 > 0:53:01'After the satisfaction of beating Jimmy, we're demolished in the final by a team of man mountains.
0:53:01 > 0:53:04'But it's been a fantastic day.
0:53:10 > 0:53:14'At the cottage, it's nearly time for some new arrivals.
0:53:14 > 0:53:19'My turkeys and pigs have been fattening up and are due any day.
0:53:19 > 0:53:23'But my turkey run is still anything but predator proof.'
0:53:23 > 0:53:28Heather, who's providing the turkeys and the pigs, is around shortly.
0:53:28 > 0:53:32What with one thing and another I haven't got round to doing this.
0:53:32 > 0:53:38I need to show her I'm going to be a responsible turkey owner.
0:53:38 > 0:53:41They don't strike me as a high-maintenance bird.
0:53:41 > 0:53:45That sentence has got me in a lot of trouble in the past!
0:53:45 > 0:53:50If you're wondering about the preponderance of black dogs,
0:53:50 > 0:53:54Reuben reproduces like an amoeba. Every night, a black dog appears.
0:53:54 > 0:53:57Actually, they're Fergus's dogs.
0:54:12 > 0:54:15The original plan was to build a turkey hutch.
0:54:15 > 0:54:19Fortunately, Fergus, my landlord,
0:54:19 > 0:54:22has got a turkey hutch.
0:54:22 > 0:54:26I'm going to pick it up today and we'll put it in.
0:54:26 > 0:54:29I'll tell Heather I built it with my own hands.
0:54:29 > 0:54:32What turkey could want more?
0:54:32 > 0:54:37I've press-ganged Adam, a local member of the film crew, to help me.
0:54:37 > 0:54:42- I have the feeling this is going to be a mission.- When you're ready.
0:54:43 > 0:54:47Yeah, keep going. Keep going. And steady there.
0:54:47 > 0:54:52- There we are.- It's going to be a bit more painless than I thought.
0:55:00 > 0:55:01Um...
0:55:03 > 0:55:07If I get the quad and put the quad here,
0:55:07 > 0:55:10we'll try and perch it on the back.
0:55:12 > 0:55:15- This has potential! - LAUGHS
0:55:17 > 0:55:21- All right, Ad?- Yeah. - Well done, mate.
0:55:29 > 0:55:32Rubes, out the way, you fool!
0:55:36 > 0:55:37That's fine, mate.
0:55:37 > 0:55:40- Ad, thank you.- No worries.
0:55:40 > 0:55:43I thought I had the most difficult job there.
0:55:48 > 0:55:52Six very bewildered looking turkeys.
0:55:53 > 0:55:56- Hello.- Now, that's how you reverse a trailer.
0:55:56 > 0:55:59Hi, how are you?
0:55:59 > 0:56:03- Ah, look at them! They're so much bigger!- I'm sure.
0:56:03 > 0:56:06Rubes, I'd keep your nose out.
0:56:06 > 0:56:09Streaky and Smoky, that's what I'll call them.
0:56:09 > 0:56:10Rubes!
0:56:12 > 0:56:14You're in pig heaven!
0:56:14 > 0:56:19It's like all Rubes' Christmases have come at once. Two mates.
0:56:19 > 0:56:22Wait till he sees the turkeys.
0:56:22 > 0:56:25Here we are, ladies and gentleman.
0:56:25 > 0:56:30How do you encourage a turkey to come out? Oh, like that. Robust.
0:56:32 > 0:56:33Out, out, out.
0:56:34 > 0:56:39Go on. Explore. They're going to be huge by Christmas.
0:56:39 > 0:56:41Come on!
0:56:43 > 0:56:45Just learned there's a fence.
0:56:45 > 0:56:47What a great sight.
0:56:47 > 0:56:53Completes the picture, doesn't it? Have a bit of stock here.
0:56:53 > 0:56:57- I might introduce Rubes to them. - They're used to dogs.
0:56:57 > 0:56:59You are a very brave pig.
0:57:01 > 0:57:04Completely unfazed, that's amazing.
0:57:04 > 0:57:06Is that nice?
0:57:06 > 0:57:11This is me getting attached to my pigs, which is never a good idea.
0:57:11 > 0:57:15All right, Rubes? You've got to behave.
0:57:15 > 0:57:21- GRUNTING - That contented grunting is coming from me, not the pigs.
0:57:21 > 0:57:24I do have to remember that these boys are for the chop.
0:57:24 > 0:57:28Not to get too attached.
0:57:28 > 0:57:32That completes the idyll.
0:57:32 > 0:57:35Look at them under him! LAUGH
0:57:35 > 0:57:38They seem particularly nice pigs, those two.
0:57:38 > 0:57:41The turkeys as well, of course.
0:57:41 > 0:57:45Yeah. Nice. Got me cottage. Got me Landy. Got me boat.
0:57:45 > 0:57:50Got me turkeys. Got me pigs. And got me ridiculous dog. Not too bad.
0:57:51 > 0:57:55Rubes! That might have been a tad exuberant!
0:57:56 > 0:57:59'Next time, the ranger work starts in earnest,
0:57:59 > 0:58:03'guiding tourists on a nature walk.'
0:58:03 > 0:58:07Any marine biologists here? No? Good.
0:58:09 > 0:58:14'Mrs Monty! I'm roped in to help with some traditional celebrations.'
0:58:14 > 0:58:17THEY SING
0:58:22 > 0:58:28'And St Kilda or bust - a sea journey to the edge of the world.'
0:58:52 > 0:58:56Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd