Great Coastal Railway Journeys

Episode 1

Dunbar to Edinburgh

29 mins

Michael begins his journey at Siccar Point, near Dunbar on the Firth of Forth, which was the site of an extraordinary discovery in the 18th century. He takes a boat to Bass Rock, before heading to the Scottish capital and Holyrood House.

Episode 2

Leith to Culross

29 mins

Michael continues his 300 mile journey along the Firth of Forth at the iconic Forth Bridge, before heading to the port of Leith to tour the Royal Yacht Britannia and then encounters a pair of vast steel sculptures in the Forth Valley.

Episode 3

Stirling to East Neuk

29 mins

On this leg of his Scottish railway journey, Michael travels from the medieval city of Stirling through Perth, the historic crowning place of Scottish monarchs, and into Kirkcaldy, where he revisits some fond family memories.

Episode 4

St Andrews to Stonehaven

29 mins

Michael visits St Andrews, home to Scotland's oldest university, in eastern Fife, before heading to the vibrant city of Dundee to learn about the new industry transforming the city and then on to the harbour town of Stonehaven.

Episode 5

Forvie to Peterhead

29 mins

Michael Portillo's Scottish railway journey reaches Aberdeen, from which he heads to the wild and beautiful Forvie National Nature Reserve and Scotland's most easterly town, Peterhead.

Episode 6

Inverness to the Cairngorms

Michael admires the epic scenery of Cairngorms National Park. He visits the banks of Loch Morlich and learns about writer, poet and naturalist Nan Shepherd, who captured the essence of the Cairngorms in her prose.

Episode 7

Cullen to Cawdor

Michael Portillo continues to be delighted by the stunning scenery of Scotland's east coast as he travels by train around the Moray Firth.

Episode 8

Invergordon to Tain

Invergordon on the Cromarty Firth, the third great inlet on the northeast coast of the Highlands is visited by Michael Portillo. He explores an ex oil drilling rig now moored in the firth that rather than drilling wells, now caps old ones.

Episode 9

Lairg to Caithness

Michael stops at Dunrobin Castle station, which serves the castle, seat of the earls and dukes of Sutherland since the 13th century. He finds out about the second duke of Sutherland and of the Highland Clearances.

Episode 10

Thurso to Orkney

Michael crosses over to the Orkney Islands. The former naval base at Scapa Flow is visited and he discovers the islands' extensive Norwegian connections.

Episode 11

Tynemouth to Bardon Mill

One of the destinations Michael visits is Long Sands beach. He helps volunteers caring for sick and injured seals at the Tynemouth Aquarium Seal Hospital such as assisting in taking the temperature of a young pup called Gandalf.

Episode 12

Newcastle to Lynemouth

As his journey heads north from Newcastle, Michael discovers Ouseburn which is one of the city's trendiest hotspots. He is intrigued to hear of its part in Newcastle's early industrial development.

Episode 13

Morpeth to Amble

A historic collection of Northumbrian bagpipes is awaiting Michael in Morpeth. More practice is needed when he attempts to play one of the wind instruments.

Episode 14

Alnmouth to Bamburgh

As Michael's journey continues, he visits Bamburgh Castle, an icon of Northumberland.

Episode 15

Farne Islands to Berwick-upon-Tweed

Michael reaches Britain's most northern town, Berwick-upon-Tweed. He joins in a ceremony at the border between Scotland and England on horseback. He rides along the line agreed by the countries in a truce that occurred in 1438.

Episode 16

Fairlie to Port Glasgow

Michael stops at Largs where he discovers the region's Viking past.

Episode 17

Helensburgh to Connel

On this part of his journey Michael investigates the Highland Boundary Fault and how it separates the Highlands from the Lowlands. He also learns how Scotland's geology has influenced its history.

Episode 18

Oban to Staffa

From the fishing port of Oban, Michael travels to the Hebrides. Here, he partakes in seaweed harvesting, pays a visit to the cradle of Christianity in Scotland and sees a cave that was an inspiration for Felix Mendelssohn's music.

Episode 19

Fort William to Glenfinnan

As part of his travels, crosses the awe-inspiring Glenfinnan Viaduct on board the Jacobite Express.

Episode 20

Mallaig to Isle of Lewis and Harris

Michael crosses the sea to Skye. The island is renowned for wildlife and he seeks out one of its most spectacular residents, the sea eagle while also being lucky enough to spot a school of dolphins.

Episode 21

Avonmouth to Six Bells

A new railway journey along the south coast of Wales is begun by Michael Portillo. Along the way, he visits a largely intact Roman amphitheatre and learns about the regeneration efforts in the mining town of Six Bells.

Episode 22

Barry Island to Pyle

Michael meets a young girl and her family on the Jurassic shoreline. She has a big claim to fame and he learns how her internationally significant discovery on the beach at Barry shook the palaeontology community.

Episode 23

Port Talbot to Pembrey Burry Port

The site of the world's first passenger railway, the Mumbles is visited. Now home to new research into sea walls. New sea defences designs which take both biodiversity and engineering properties into account are being tested.

Episode 24

Carmarthen to Pembroke

Michael visits Pembroke and its magnificent Norman castle. He discovers the origins of the Welsh flag and the beginning of one of Britain's greatest royal dynasties - the Tudors. In 1457, Henry VII was born at this castle.

Episode 25

Milford Haven to Fishguard

Michael's last destination is Fishguard. He learns the town came under attack by French forces during the 18th century in the last recorded invasion on British soil. A Bayeux-style tapestry commemorating the event is admired by Michael.