Michael Portillo explores the magnificent western coast of Scotland by rail and ferry, from the Firth of Clyde to the Outer Hebridean island of Lewis and Harris. Travelling aboard the awesome West Highland Line and the world-famous Jacobite Express, Michael glories in some of Britain’s most spectacular scenery, including magical islands, lochs and castles, rugged mountains and symphonic caves.\n\nMichael’s coastal railway journey brings him face to face with Scotland’s critical role in energy production and highlights its shift from nuclear, gas and oil to renewable sources in response to climate change.\n\nBeginning on the Hunterston Peninsula, Michael visits the nuclear power plant Hunterston B, which has been generating electricity since the 1960s. On top of the nuclear reactor, Michael hears from the station director about how it works and why it was built so close to the sea. Pride in the station’s contribution to energy production is tinged with sadness on the part of staff that the power station is shortly to be decommissioned.\n\nAt Largs, Michael discovers the region’s Viking past. The town was the scene of a fierce battle in 1263, when the Scots under King Alexander III defeated the Norwegians under King Haakon IV. The victory was messy but is still cause for celebration annually with a popular festival. Michael dons chainmail to tackle Ulfca the Berserker.\n\nAt Wemyss Bay, Michael admires one of the most beautiful railway stations in Britain. Designed by architect James Miller and planned by chief engineer Donald Mathieson, it served to bring 'toffs and trippers' 'doon the watter' from the grime of Glasgow to the fresh air of the seaside and ferries for the isle of Bute.\n\nThe importance of ferries to connect western Scotland with its many islands becomes plain to Michael at Port Glasgow in the deep waters of the Clyde, where he visits Ferguson Marine, the builders of Calmac ferries. The company has been in operation since 1903 and is now the last commercial shipbuilder on the Clyde. Michael is invited to lend a hand hoisting a six-and-a-half tonne unit on to the upper deck of a ferry under construction in the shipyard.
Source: BBC 2
Series 3: 10. Conwy To Colwyn Bay
Michael Portillo takes the train to the medieval walled town of Conwy on the last leg of his exploration of the shores of north Wales.\n\nOn a coastal ridge overlooking the estu ...
19-04-2024
BBC 2
Series 3: 9. The Isle Of Anglesey
Michael Portillo resumes his railway exploration of north Wales on the Isle of Anglesey, where the briny waters of the Menai Strait are being used to create a Welsh gastronomic ...
18-04-2024
BBC 2
Series 3: 8. Porthmadog To Anglesey
Michael Portillo steams through the glorious scenery of the Snowdonia National Park on one of Britain’s greatest heritage lines, the Welsh Highland Railway. Stopping off a ...
17-04-2024
BBC 2
Series 3: 7. Harlech To Abedaron
Michael Portillo continues his railway journey in north Wales, tracking the coastline north from Harlech to skirt the Llyn Peninsula. \n\nBeginning on the shifting sands of Morf ...
16-04-2024
BBC 2
Series 3: 6. Cardigan Bay To Abergynolwyn
Michael Portillo embarks on a railway journey around the ragged rocks of the western coast of Wales. He begins on the Victorian Cliff Railway at Aberystwyth, rising above the hi ...
15-04-2024
BBC 2
Series 3: 5. Isles Of Scilly
Michael Portillo nears the end of his railway adventure tracking the rugged coast of south west England. He finishes in the westernmost reaches of England, in the Scillonian arc ...
12-04-2024
BBC 2
Series 3: 4. St Mawes To Porthcurno
Michael reaches the pretty Cornish fishing village of St Mawes, today an exclusive holiday destination for connoisseurs of yachts, fine food and luxury hotels. Michael takes to ...
11-04-2024
BBC 2
Series 3: 3. Tintagel To St Austell
Crossing the River Tamar via Isambard Kingdom Brunel’s magnificent Royal Albert Bridge, Michael leaves Devon for Cornwall and the rugged Atlantic coast of its northern sho ...
10-04-2024
BBC 2
Series 3: 2. Exeter To Plymouth
Michael Portillo reaches Devon’s county town, Exeter, dominated since the Middle Ages by its magnificent gothic cathedral. Michael joins the stonemasons charged with conse ...
09-04-2024
BBC 2
Series 3: 1. Axminster To Budleigh Salterton
Michael Portillo embarks on another journey exploring the shores of Britain. His first journey takes him from the magnificent Jurassic Coast to the rugged tip of the Lizard Peni ...
08-04-2024
BBC 2
Series 3: 3. Tintagel To St Austell
Crossing the River Tamar via Isambard Kingdom Brunel’s magnificent Royal Albert Bridge, Michael leaves Devon for Cornwall and the rugged Atlantic coast of its northern sho ...
10-04-2024
BBC 2
Series 3: 5. Isles Of Scilly
Michael Portillo nears the end of his railway adventure tracking the rugged coast of south west England. He finishes in the westernmost reaches of England, in the Scillonian arc ...
12-04-2024
BBC 2
Series 3: 1. Axminster To Budleigh Salterton
Michael Portillo embarks on another journey exploring the shores of Britain. His first journey takes him from the magnificent Jurassic Coast to the rugged tip of the Lizard Peni ...
08-04-2024
BBC 2
Series 1: 7. Cullen To Cawdor
Beginning today on the Moray Firth, Michael admires the impressive Cullen viaduct before enjoying a bowl of Cullen skink at a family-run fishmonger of 150 years’ standing. ...
02-08-2023
BBC 2
Series 1: 5. Forvie To Peterhead
Michael Portillo’s Scottish railway journey reaches Aberdeen. From the Granite City, Michael heads straight out to a dramatic piece of coastline 18 miles to its north. For ...
31-07-2023
BBC 2
Series 1: 13. Morpeth To Amble
Michael Portillo explores the wild and rugged coastline of Northumberland by rail. He begins today in Morpeth, where he finds a historic collection of Northumbrian bagpipes and ...
30-08-2023
BBC 2
Series 1: 22. Barry Island To Pyle
Michael Portillo continues his south Wales coastal railway journey in Barry Island, where he investigates 'what’s occurring' at the busy docks. The waters upstream of the ...
18-09-2023
BBC 2
Series 1: 4. St Andrews To Stonehaven
Michael Portillo reaches Leuchars, known today on the railways as Leuchars for St Andrews. Scotland’s oldest university, St Andrews is located on a beautiful beachfront. M ...
27-07-2023
BBC 2
Series 1: 16. Fairlie To Port Glasgow
Michael Portillo explores the magnificent western coast of Scotland by rail and ferry, from the Firth of Clyde to the Outer Hebridean island of Lewis and Harris. Travelling aboa ...
05-09-2023
BBC 2
Series 2: 9. Hornsea To Spurn Point
Michael Portillo continues his journey in the pretty seaside resort of Hornsea, famous for its distinctive pottery. In Hull, he discovers how one of Hull FC’s star players ...
02-08-2023
BBC 2