Grand Tours of Scotland

He discovers how 19th-century Scotlands mountains and glens were a playground for rich gentlemen eager to test themselves against the forces of nature. In the spirit of Victorian manliness, Paul makes the journey using a conveyance of the period, an original 1870s tricycle. Enjoying the dubious delights of his unusual mode of transport, he travels from Dunkeld along the banks of Britains longest river, the Tay, before climbing the mountains to Royal Deeside. From Braemar he travels to the iconic destination of Balmoral, before attempting to cycle one of Scotlands most famous mountain passes, the Lairig Ghru.

In this episode, he goes in search of the stunning landscape of the Highlands that has attracted visitors for the last two hundred years with the promise of improving mind, body and spirit. In the 19th century, the Highlands were very much the preserve of the privileged elite, but as transport links improved in the 20th century, our mountains, lochs and glens were increasingly seen as a giant playground, where people of all classes could escape the dull routine of the modern world. Paul traces the history of the great outdoors, travelling from the shores of Loch Tay in Perthshire, across the great wilderness of Rannoch Moor, climbs the iconic mountain of Buachaille Etive Mor, before ending his journey in the quaint spa town of Strathpeffer.

In the final episode of the series, Paul traces the rise of the seaside as a workers playground. In Victorian times, most tourists came from a tiny social elite - the rich - and for the great mass of the population a holiday was just a dream. But when working people eventually won the right to some free time, by far the majority of them did not rush off to the romantic highlands to enjoy the view, most postcards home were sent from the seaside. Paul begins his journey in the historic town of St Andrews, hops across the Firth of Forth to North Berwick and ends up in the capital city - Edinburgh.

In this episode of Grand Tours of Scotland,presenter Paul Murton travels from the shores of beautiful Loch Maree, into the wilds of Assynt, and on to the northern most part of mainland Scotland.

Paul Murton travels by vintage bike through the spectacular scenery of the central Highlands to better appreciate the charms of nature.

Long before the era of cheap flights and package holidays on the Costa del Sunburn, most Scots spent their summer holidays by the Scottish seaside. In the last episode of Grand Tours, presenter Paul Murton goes in search of Scottish sunshine. To capture the holiday spirit and to chase the sun, Pauls travelling by Morris Minor and is following a route up the east coast from Carnoustie to Aberdeen.

The first travellers to come north were predominantly men. Scotland was considered to be very much a mans world - full of unseen perils that could only be faced down by the brave, and definitely not a place for ladies! In this episode, Paul Murton travels through Dumfries and Galloway to uncover the stories of the pioneering female tourists who were determined not to be left at home and bravely headed north to explore Scotland.

The search for a comfortable bed for the night is a challenge that has faced tourists coming to Scotland for two centuries. Some early traveller accounts are very complimentary about the hospitality they received while others are not quite so favourable, and the same could probably be said by tourists today ! In this episode, Paul Murton travels from the shores of the Firth of Forth into the depths of rural Perthshire, and his trip requires him to bed down in everything from a hippy Yurt to the exclusive Lochnagar suite at the Gleneagles Hotel.

By the end of the Victorian era, Scotland had become a favourite summer holiday destination.