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Private Notes
A special programme from New York, featuring The Tartan Day parade with over 8000 pipers, and an interview with Sean Connery.
Introduction – All about the magical Orkney Isles including a look at Maes Howe, the ancient neolithic tomb, and the standing stone circle, the ring of Brodgar. Ortak, a profile of the Orkney jewellers Skara Brae – Fiona Kennedy walks round and tells the story of the ancient stoneage settlement Family History – Sinclair – Robert Scott talks to a local historian about one of Orkney’s most common family names Fiona talks to US actor Kyle MacLachlan about his Scottish roots Music - Three Peace Sweet – Orcadian Celtic rockband play on location in Orkney.
A programme from Princes St. Gardens during the Edinburgh Festival Featuring various artistes performing at the Edinburgh Festival including Celtic rock band Cantara; guitarist and singer Grant McCaskil, harpist Phamie Gow, and fiddle player Paul Anderson. Interview with actor Alan Cumming.
The story of The Lonach Gathering – Billy Connolly and friends Robin Williams and Eric Idle talk to Fiona at the gathering which takes place next door to Billy’s Scottish hideaway in the North east of Scotland. The men of Lonach marchers. Aberlour Highland Games with a glimpse of the shop where Walkers Shortbread was first made. Family history - Fraser family history filmed at Loch Ness. Bagpipe production at Kilberry Bagpipes in Edinburgh. Dalmahoy Golf Cub – Rugby hero Scott Hastings plays the 16th hole with pro Scott Dixon Food - Top Scottish chef Don Carney shows Fiona Kennedy how to prepare Cullen Skink a delicious fish soup Music – Whiskey Olympics in the North-east town of Aboyne featuring musicians Ali Napier and Paul Anderson.
Slains Castle – where author Bram Stoker found the inspiration for Dracula. Halloween traditions, Burns poem Kilmarnock Arms ghost –Fiona finds out about a local ghost which fired Bram Stoker’s imagination. Transfigurator Elaine Taylor – Robert Scott meets a woman who takes on spirits’ visages. Kenny McKenzie plays the bagpipes in the battlements.
Scottish film locations - Lamont Howie looks at Scottish film locations, including a film shoot with Judi Dench, James Cosmos and Olivia Dukakis at Fyvie Castle Food - Roxburghe House Hotel – Fiona visits this Borders hotel and finds out how to cook honey glazed salmon Carnegie – short profile of Scots philanthropist who emigrated to US Vis Interactive – a profile of Dundee based computer games maker plus Abertay University in Dundee. Music – Whiskey Olympics (Ali Napier and Paul Anderson).
Fashion show at the Glasgow Arches – Fiona meets some young Scots designers including offbeat kilt designer, Howie Nicholsby Weapons – Fergus Wood demonstrates the broadsword Technopole – a profile of the Edinburgh University Technology/Business Park Food – Chef Don Carney shows Fiona how to make oatcakes Three Peace Sweet – Orcadian celtic rock band on location in Orkney.
Crieff Highland Games – featuring an interview with actor Ewan McGregor who is Chieftain of the games. Weapons – Fergus Wood demonstrates the dirk Family History – Robert Scott on the Campbells at Glencoe Plus Campbell fact file Food – Don Carney shows Fiona how to make porridge Robert Louis Stevenson – a profile of the writer in his native city Edinburgh Music item from Princes St. – Pipes and drums of 1st Battalion, the Highlanders.
Sense of Belonging – Annie Malcolm goes to the launch of a book of photographs of Scotland, chosen by various Scots celebrities. She meets Ian Rankin, author of the Rebus-detective thrillers that are set in Edinburgh. Cairngorm Sled-dog Centre – Fiona visits this centre near Aviemore Cruden Bay Golf – Fiona meets Club captain and learns about this historic course Food - Chef Don Carney shows Fiona how to make Crannachan, a delicious dessert Greyfriars Bobby – Frances Mackenzie tells the story of the faithful dog celebrated in the Walt Disney film. 3 Scots Tenors sing A Gordon for Me at the Edinburgh Festival 2002
Fiona interviews St. Andrews caddy Gordon Murray on 18th green of the Old Course St. Andrews - factfile on the Royal Burgh St. Andrew – a profile of Scotland’s patron saint Reindeer – Fiona visits the Cairngorm Reindeer Centre Golf Museum – Fiona visits the British Golf Museum in St. Andrews Music – Kenny MacKenzie on the small pipes in concert in Princes St Gardens.
Birds of Prey – Fiona visits the Birds of Prey Rescue Centre at Croy, by Inverness Weapons – Fergus Wood demonstrates the old Scots pistol Pitmedden Gardens – Annie Malcolm has a tour of the 18th century garden with Susan Burgess Family History – Forbes. Robert Scott visits the current Master of Forbes in his castle Music – Celtic Colours Festival on Cape Breton Island– Fiona joins Spanish Celtic musician and friends on stage.
New Lanark – Fiona visits the 18th century model mill village and has a tour Candacraig – Annie Malcolm visits the gardens in Strathdon, now owned by Billy Connolly Catriona Harvey meets the dog trainer who offers canine line dancing classes in Fife! Treefest – Fiona meets one of the organisers of this year-long celebration of Scotland’s tree heritage Music – from the Celtic Colours Festival on Cape Breton Island - Fiona sings “Wild Mountain Thyme” with accompanists
Bill Stewart – Catriona Harvey meets the Scots country and western singer, winner of the International Song category in the American Eagles Awards in Las Vegas Kildrummy Gardens - Annie Malcolm visits the quarry gardens in Strathdon in the shadow of one of Scotland’s most historic castles. In Search of the Picts (1) – Robert Scott presents the first in a series about the ancient people of Scotland Music – Bill Stewart sings country and western.
Fire Festivals – Robert Scott finds out about these ancient festivals from historian Marian Youngblood, and sees the Stonehaven fireball ceremony. Gerry Goldwyre (1) –Fiona meets the BBC ex Masterchef in his 19th century Water Tower restaurant outside Edinburgh where he cooks Arizona Beef. Deeside Choristers sing a traditional carol in beautiful medieval St Machar’s Cathedral in Aberdeen. Fire Festivals – Robert Scott finds out about these ancient festivals from historian Marian Youngblood A look at the world’s largest New Year party – the Hogmanay celebrations in Edinburgh.
A mix of features from Cape Breton where the 2002 Celtic Colours festival was held with musical and dramatic performances from the Festival, and a visit to the Alexander Graham Bell Museum
Presenters Robert Scott and Nicci Jolly visit Knockhill race track to find out what makes the Scots such world class racing drivers. We visit the Jim Clark museum in the borders to learn more of this two times World Formula 1 Champion. Then Robert joins Professor Ted Cowan for a riotously funny visit to a Roman Road. Fiona Kennedy meets some international sidecar racers in Peterhead, while Nicci speaks to GT1 star Andrew Kirkaldy. Then we meet one of the greatest drivers of all time, three times World Champion Jackie Stewart, to hear how he got his break, and the personal battles he’s faced in his life in connection with his dyslexia. In Sir Jackie's case dyslexia wasn't diagnosed until late in life - now he does a great deal to make Scotland the foremost country in the world for research into dyslexia.
The team visit the home of seven-a-side rugby at Melrose in the Scottish Borders. While Nicci absorbs the atmosphere Robert dashes off to see some other Borders delights. Professor Ted Cowan shows him the bagpipe-playing-pig gargoyle at Melrose Abbey, where Robert the Bruce’s heart is buried. We see Abbotsford, home of Sir Walter Scott, and Fergus Wood recounts the first part of the history of famous Scots hero Rob Roy, made famous in Scott’s novel. Back at the rugby we meet Scotland and British Lions legend Scott Hastings. Then Robert and Ted set off again to investigate a Pictish fort - or is it? Finally a sprint up to the top of the Eildon Hills, then it’s time for the finals and the tournament winners.
Robert and Nicci present the programme from one of Scotland’s most recent technological achievements, and find out about the history of the Forth and Clyde Canal and Union Canal. Prof Ted Cowan explains the significance of the nearby site of the Battle of Bannockburn, and further north we sample the colour and festivity of the Aberdeen International Youth Festival. Annie Malcolm has a tour of the 18th century Pitmedden Gardens with National Trust Manager of the property, Susan Burgess. Fergus Wood recounts the next episode of the history of Rob Roy, then while Nicci takes a boat trip up in the towering wheel Robert goes in search of the Antonine Wall, built by the Romans from coast to coast to keep out the marauding Scots, and the furthest north point of the entire Roman Empire. We finish with a roll call of Scottish invention and discovery.
Robert and Nicci visit this atmospheric castle, lived in by the same family for 600 years, and the most haunted castle in Scotland. The Queen Mother was brought up here, and we visit her private rooms to sample some royal splendour. Fiona Kennedy investigates the spooky history of Scotland with Roddy Martine, author of “Supernatural Scotland”. There’s the next episode of the history of Rob Roy with Fergus Wood. Then Robert heads south to the Anatomy Department of Edinburgh University to hear the story of bodysnatchers Burke and Hare, and to meet William Burke in person - or what’s left of him! Finally, back to Glamis, and some chilling stories, and a visit to a haunted chapel.
Robert and Nicci introduce the programme from the top of Dundee Law - the hill overlooking the silvery River Tay. We look at the history of Dundee, and the world’s worst poet, William McGonagall, who found fame there. Nicci hears the latest developments in computer games design. Fiona travels up the road to Arbroath to learn about the fishy delicacy, the Smokie. Fergus Wood offers the next instalment of the history of Rob Roy. Robert meets Ged Grimes, a musician and composer who records music for computer games including The Matrix 3 - and finally Nicci visits Dundee’s science centre to try making her own music.
Nicci explores the delights of Glasgow’s shopping scene, said to be best in the whole UK after London, with everything from designer to second-hand retro. Robert Scott joins Prof Ted Cowan at the docks on the Clyde to hear how Glasgow grew to prominence on the back of tobacco, sugar - and slavery. Together they board the Sailing Vessel Glenlee, the last remaining Clyde-built sailing merchant vessel. We meet a singer-songwriter from nearby Coatbridge as he sets off on the comeback trail. Then finally it’s time to sample Glasgow’s nightlife, as Nicci visits the place described by New Yorker magazine as the best live music venue in the world - King Tut’s!
When a competition was held to design a new National Museum for Scotland in Edinburgh, the Tartan TV team was there to record the entire process. The programme follows the creation of a stunning iconic building for Scotland to celebrate its past, and looks at some of the treasures and where they came from. We also visit a temporary exhibition on polar explorer William Speirs Bruce, find out how Scotland encourages enterprise in its University postgraduates and researchers, and examine plans for the future as the Royal Museum plans to dramatically upgrade its international collections.
With the London Olympic Games due in 2012 the UK decided to create a new “Schools Games” to identify and encourage fresh talent for the future. The very first one was held in Glasgow, and we went there to spot the stars of the future. Robert takes a trip down to Kirkcudbrightshire to the birthplace of the founder of the US Navy - John Paul Jones. With Prof Ted Cowan, they visit where he lived and went to school - and also take a look at Whitehaven - the English fishing port he attacked on behalf of America. In Edinburgh Fiona finds out how weaver James Donald is combining traditional skills with fabulous contemporary designs. Then we return to the Schools Games to see how the finals are shaping up.
This week Nicci competes in this saloon car motor rally as co-driver, while Robert stands back in amazement. While Nicci tears through the tarmac and forest stages Robert goes on some quieter visits. First he joins the current Master of Forbes in his castle on Deeside for a family history feature on the family who produced Forbes magazine. There’s a fact file on the Clan System in Scotland. Fiona Kennedy attends the Aberdeen storytelling festival. Professor Ted Cowan tells Robert the story of the real King Macbeth, and Robert heads up Dunsinane Hill near Dundee to look at Macbeth’s actual fortress. And as Nicci screams off into the sunset we finish with some equally raucous pipes and drums rock music from Saor Patrol.
Fiona Kennedy heads off to Cape Breton island in Nova Scotia for the Celtic Colours festival was held. Fiona performs there, and also checks out the local Scottish connections. There’s a visit to the MacDonald House Living History Museum in Iona, Cape Breton, a dramatic performance entitled “The Margaret” and an interview with the director, and the world’s Biggest Square Dance. Finally Fiona visits the Alexander Graham Bell Museum in Baddeck, Cape Breton to find out more about one of Scotland’s greatest inventors - the man who created the telephone.
Johnnie Depp fans will know from his recent feature film that author J.M. Barrie was a Scot from the Angus village of Kirriemuir. Robert and Nicci visit his birthplace there, and discover some surprising things. For instance, the real original Wendy House still stands outside Barrie’s bedroom window - it’s the quaint little wash-house where the family and neighbours did their laundry! Also in the programme, Chef Don Carney shows Fiona how to make oatcakes. There’s a look at the works of 20th century Scottish artist Sir William Gillies. Catriona Harvey visits a factory in Dalbeattie where the famous “See You Jimmy” hats are manufactured. And Prof Ted Cowan takes Robert to the battlefield of Flodden, scene of Scotland’s greatest ever defeat. But we cheer up with a visit to Fraserburgh to meet the Line Dancing youngsters who’ve impressed the US.
In this memorable programme with exclusive access to the set we go “behind the scenes” on the shooting of the last ever episode of Monarch of the Glen, with star interviews. If you saw Tartan TV’s visit a few years ago you’ll appreciate the insights and access which Fiona Kennedy was able to share with us. This time it’s the last time - a never to be repeated glimpse into the shooting of the final episode, when Richard Briers comes back as a ghost. Join us for the wrap as he completes his last take, and find out what he really thought of the castle! All the stars are there - and all the magic come to life for the privileged viewers of Tartan TV.
