Grand Tours of the Scottish Islands Episode Rating Graph

In the final episode of the series, Paul embarks on his most difficult island Grand Tour to date. Every destination has been long abandoned by people, there are no ferries, no piers or proper landings at these islands making it quite a challenge to get there. Paul's journey sees him travel to the once-inhabited island of Heisgeir, sail around the gannet city of Sula Sgeir and endure rough seas to finally make landfall on the extraordinarily remote island of North Rona.

In this episode Paul heads to the northernmost spur of Skye - the stunningly beautiful Trotternish Peninsula. The Isle of Skye is an intoxicating mix of all that is great about Scotland's islands, and the dramatic landscape of the North embraces everything from lava twisted rocks to stunning waterfalls. Paul begins his adventure at one of the star attractions of this part of the island, The Old Man of Storr, and his journey takes him on journey of discovery following in the footsteps of the dinosaurs who once walked this land, through the enchanted fairy glen and out to the seldom-visited Fladda Chuain islands.

For this grand tour, Paul's journey begins at Loch Hourn on the mainland, takes him over the sea to Skye and then heads to the tiny island of Soay before finishing on Canna. Along the way, Paul visits the house which was the inspiration for Skyfall, home of Britain's most famous spy James Bond, embarks on a nerve-wracking caving expedition under the summit of Blaven and discovers the remarkable story of shark fishing off Soay.

Paul Murton visits the islands of Coll and Tiree, which though just a few miles apart could not be more different. On Coll, he meets Nicolas Maclean Bristol, owner of Breachacha Castle, who can trace his ancestors on the island back to the 14th century. Tiree is one of the stormiest places in Europe, but is also one of the best places in Britain to surf and practise the relatively new sport of sand yachting, the racing of go-carts with a sail along the beach.

Thirty miles from mainland Scotland, there is a chain of low-lying islands that face the full might of the Atlantic Ocean: the Uists and Benbecula. On these islands there seems to be more water than land, as a spectacular patchwork of freshwater lochs and pools pockmark the landscape. But it is the unique ecology of these unspoilt islands that makes them so special. Paul's journey sees him trying his hand at fishing for wild sea trout, uncovering the fascinating story of how South Uist became a missile testing base, and discovering the secrets of the beautiful but deserted tidal island of Vallay.

This Grand Tour takes Paul around the coast of the Long Island of Harris and Lewis, beginning on Scarp, travelling north to Great Bernera, then south east to Scalpay. These islands may seem to exist in the shadow of their much larger neighbours but Paul discovers they have a distinct identity all of their own, as he hears remarkable stories of crofter rebellions, rocket mail and a rich local culture.

Paul explores the eastern outposts of Shetland - Papa Stour, Whalsay and the Out Skerries, encountering along the way newborn lambs, ancient ruins and traditional Shetland sword dancing. Paul's journey reveals a bittersweet story of islands where life seems to continue against the odds, in the face of declining populations and the challenges that come with being so remote. But in all of the three islands Paul explores, he discovers they have their own voice, made proud and distinctive by the determination of the islanders to keep their communities alive.