Michael reaches the terminus of the West Highland Line at Mallaig, from which he follows in the footsteps of Bonnie Prince Charlie over the sea to Skye. The island is renowned for wildlife, and Michael seeks out one of its most spectacular residents, the sea eagle. He is also lucky enough also to spot a school of dolphins.\n\nIn the remote village of Uig, Michael discovers how the Gaelic language is in everyday use and part of a wider culture. He learns that Gaelic songs once accompanied daily activities such as spinning, milking or cutting grass and enjoys a solo performance.\n\nCrossing the Minch, a dangerous stretch of water which separates Skye from the island of Lewis and Harris, Michael reaches the Outer Hebrides and its capital, Stornoway. His eye is caught by the island’s most famous export, Harris Tweed. A Hebridean textile artist tells Michael how the island’s traditional cloth has influenced her knitwear and how the wool’s distinctive colours are derived.\n\nOn a remote shoreline on the west coast of the island, Michael encounters a mythical creature. She has the head and torso of a woman but the tail of a fish! Captivated, Michael wades into the waves to join her...
Source: BBC 2
Series 1: 2. Leith To Culross
Michael Portillo continues his 300-mile Scottish coastal journey along the Firth of Forth at the railway engineering icon for which it is famous throughout the world – the ...
05-02-2024
BBC 2
Series 1: 1. Dunbar To Edinburgh
An epic stretch of Scottish coastline is the first stop for Michael Portillo as he begins a series of coastal railway journeys around the British Isles.\n\nSiccar Point, close t ...
25-01-2024
BBC 2
Series 2: 20. Fishbourne To Seaford
The final leg of Michael's journey begins in Fishbourne, the location of one of the most significant Roman sites in Britain. Heading into East Sussex, he makes for a British res ...
08-11-2023
BBC 2
Series 2: 19. Lee-on-the-solent To Bosham
Michael’s journey has brought him to Lee-on-the-Solent in Hampshire, the coastguard's training centre. He finds out about their role in search and rescue and helps in one ...
30-10-2023
BBC 2
Series 2: 18. Southampton To Isle Of Wight
Michael is in Southampton, one of the busiest ports on the south coast of England and home to the National Oceanography Centre. From the port, Michael takes a ferry to the Isle ...
25-10-2023
BBC 2
Series 2: 17. Kimmeridge To Brownsea Island
Michael alights at Wareham to visit Dorset’s internationally renowned Jurassic Coast. Exploring the geology, he discovers black gold locked into its rocks and visits one o ...
18-10-2023
BBC 2
Series 2: 16. Weymouth To Lulworth
Michael is on a rail journey across the southern coast of England, beginning in Dorset. In Portland Harbour, Michael takes to the water with four-time Paralympian Hannah Stodel. ...
11-10-2023
BBC 2
Series 2: 15. Dun Laoghaire To Rosslare
Michael Portillo begins the final leg of his railway journey, beginning in the harbour town of Dun Laoghaire. He joins a crew of geological surveyors to discover what lies benea ...
04-10-2023
BBC 2
Series 2: 14. Carlingford To Dublin
Michael Portillo continues his railway journey along the Atlantic and Irish Sea coasts of Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.\n\nFrom Newry, he sets off to cross the b ...
27-09-2023
BBC 2
Series 1: 25. Milford Haven To Fishguard
On the final leg of his rail journey along Wales's southern coastline, Michael Portillo reaches the country's most westerly station. At Milford Haven, Michael learns from the ha ...
21-09-2023
BBC 2
Series 1: 23. Port Talbot To Pembrey Burry Port
Michael Portillo’s rail adventure along the south coast of Wales reaches the town of Port Talbot, known across the world for its steel production. He marvels as tons of mo ...
19-09-2023
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 2: 3. Morecambe To Grange-over-sands
Michael Portillo continues his rail journey. He looks out across the vast and beautiful Morecambe Bay and joins one of the town’s last shrimpers to learn how potted shrimp ...
26-06-2023
BBC 2
Series 2: 20. Fishbourne To Seaford
The final leg of Michael's journey begins in Fishbourne, the location of one of the most significant Roman sites in Britain. Heading into East Sussex, he makes for a British res ...
08-11-2023
BBC 2
Series 2: 6. Middlesbrough To Boulby
Michael Portillo’s coastal railway adventure propels him in search of the unknown universe in Boulby, North Yorkshire. Over a kilometre below the surface of the earth, in ...
18-07-2023
BBC 2
Series 2: 1. Douglas To Port Erin
Michael Portillo embarks on another railway adventure across and beyond the United Kingdom, beginning on the self-governing Isle of Man – a paradise for rail lovers.\n\nHe ...
15-06-2023
BBC 2
Series 1: 6. Inverness To The Cairngorms
Michael Portillo crosses the Culloden Viaduct aboard the Caledonian Sleeper to arrive bright and early in the coastal city of Inverness, from where he heads north on a magnifice ...
01-08-2023
BBC 2
Series 2: 7. Whitby To Robin Hood's Bay
Michael Portillo continues his railway adventure at Whitby, where he explores the port’s shipbuilding and seafaring heritage.\n\nIn Grosmont, Michael boards the first stea ...
27-07-2023
BBC 2
Series 2: 2. Liverpool To Blackpool
From the Isle of Man, Michael Portillo crosses the Irish Sea, bound for the mighty port of Liverpool and its historic waterfront. \n\nAt the International Slavery Museum in Roya ...
22-06-2023
BBC 2
Series 2: 12. Ballymena To Carrickfergus
Michael Portillo is in the glens of Antrim, where Ireland’s folklore and magical myths flourish and he is transfixed by tales of fairies and legends of the sea. \n\nAt th ...
13-09-2023
BBC 2