Grand Tours of Scotland's Rivers

The River Don rises in wild land, high on the moors of the Grampian mountains. Paul follows its easterly flow from the famous Cock Bridge, where he encounters the Lonach Highlanders and a clan chief with two feathers in his cap carrying relics of the Battle of Culloden. Close to Strathdon, Paul meets an artist and sculptor who creates lifelike creatures from scrap metal, and then learns how the Aberdeen Angus became a world-beating cattle breed.

Paul explores the upper reaches of the River Tay, flying over its source in a microlight, then searching for gold inside a mountain before discovering the heart of Scotland.

Paul explores the lower River Tay, following it from the Grandtully Rapids to Dunkeld and its musical oak tree, past the home of Mrs Tiggy-winkle, and on to the sea.

The River Irvine in Ayrshire is the hidden gem explored on this Grand Tour. From its source close to Loudoun Hill, Paul follows the river to the town of Irvine and the sea.

The River Forth is a quintessentially Scottish river, flowing from highlands to lowlands. Paul follows its meandering and history-filled course to the sea.

Paul explores the River Oykel in Sutherland from its source in Assynt to the Dornoch Firth and learns about the loneliest war grave in Britain and the Duke’s gigantic toothpick.