Category Archives: Journeys through the British Isles

A three-hour video documentary that explores England, Scotland, Wales, the Isle of Man and the Emerald Isle with fascinating stories of kings, castles, cities, authors and intriguing characters, all back-dropped by the scenic beauty of the British Isles. (Photo: Pulteney Bridge, VisitBath.co.uk)

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Emerald Isle: Natural Wonders

Posted on February 7, 2014 by On Top Of The World


Fresh sea air, mountain breezes and a glass of mead are on tap as we experience a medieval banquet at Bunratty Castle, traditional music, a gallop along the broad beaches of Donegal and two of the greatest natural attractions of the Emerald Isle. Our travels take us from the Cliffs of Moher on the Atlantic Ocean across the Mountains of Mourne and down to the Irish Sea. The Emerald Isle comprises the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. For more information check out episode #29 in the Journeys category.

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Emerald Isle: Dublin and Kilkenny

Posted on February 7, 2014 by On Top Of The World


An introduction to two capital cities: Dublin, today’s capital of the Republic of Ireland, and Kilkenny, the medieval capital of the country. We explore the grounds of Trinity College, learn to play the spoons at the Abbey Tavern, discover Viking presence in Waterford, and tour historic Kilkenny House with its rich collection of Gobelin tapestries. For more information check out episode #28 in the Journeys category.

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Emerald Isle: Gift of the Blarney

Posted on February 3, 2014 by On Top Of The World


Discovering the origins of the word “Blarney” in the Emerald Isle: who has the Gift and why kiss the stone? The scenery for which Ireland is famous leads us to Muckross House in Killarney and then on to Blarney Castle built in 1446 when Ireland had four kings and four provinces. Today the Emerald Isle comprises the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. This is the first of 9 features in which we explore the whole Island. For more information check out episode #27 in the Journeys category.

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The Isle of Man – Ancient Origins

Posted on November 21, 2013 by On Top Of The World


Is this the site of the castle of the Holy Grail? Peel Castle on the Isle of Man has been a monastic retreat, a fortress and home to a Viking king. Neolithic, Bronze Age, and Celtic remains have been excavated in recent years and a visit to Tynwald Hill and the House of Keys reveals evidence of the island’s Viking heritage in the parliamentary system and language. We explore the islander’s love of folklore and their healthy appetite for locally smoked kippers. For more information check out episode #26 in the Journeys through the British Isles category.

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The Isle of Man – Manx Heritage

Posted on November 21, 2013 by On Top Of The World


The Isle of Man sits in the middle of the Irish Sea midway between the coasts of England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales. Travelling on the horse trams and vintage steam railway, exploring a 300 year old village and visiting the home of tail-less cats, reveals there is more to Manx heritage than sandy beaches and low taxes. For more information check out episode #25 in the Journeys through the British Isles category.

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Scotland – Heritage, History and Inventions

Posted on November 19, 2013 by On Top Of The World


Scotland evokes images of a fiercely proud people who love their Celidhs, Highland Games, golf, mountains and lochs. We take a whirlwind tour around the country through history, art and stately homes to Glasgow and The Big Idea – the Inventor Centre of the future. It was in Ayrshire that Alfred Nobel tested dynamite, an invention he thought would put an end to war. When it didn’t he established a world peace prize. For more information check out episode #24 in the Journeys through the British Isles category.

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Scotland – Highlands & Islands

Posted on November 19, 2013 by On Top Of The World


The Scottish Highlands and Northern Islands are all about sea, mountains, lakes, heather, moors and wide empty exhilarating spaces and resonate with stories of Bonnie Prince Charlie. There are two train journeys en route to the Isle of Skye travelling to Inverness and Fort William on the main line and then by steam train to the Kyle of Lochalsh. There are over 400 inhabited and many uninhabited islands off the coast of Scotland. For more information check out episode #23 in the Journeys through the British Isles category.

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Scotland — The Whisky Trail

Posted on November 19, 2013 by On Top Of The World


The Whisky Trail winds for a hundred kilometres through a dozen distilleries and a cooperage, from Inverness to Aberdeen, Scotland and introduces us to a history of illicit stills and the “angel’s share”. You need a nose for this business and on the Speyside Trail we talk to the experts as we visit the distilleries of StrathIsla, Glenfarclas, Glenfiddich, and Balvenie and end our tour at the Whisky Heritage Centre in Edinburgh. Each distillery has its own unique contribution to Scottish whisky from copper stills and pure water, to malting floors and peat fires, and the all-important whisky casks. For more information check out episode #22 in the Journeys through the British Isles category.

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Scotland — The Trossachs

Posted on November 19, 2013 by On Top Of The World


Rob Roy, William Wallace and Robert the Bruce have brought us to this part of Scotland in search of their origins, the paths they trod, the stories of their battles, Stirling Castle and Bannockburn. Along with history we find scenic beauty from lowland farms to mountain terrains, lochs that inspired the writings of Sir Walter Scott, and an outdoor playground where you can cruise, canoe, cycle, fish, learn the sport of falconry or play golf at Gleneagles. It’s all here in the Trossachs, a narrow glen of land between Loch Katrin and Loch Ahry, halfway between Edinburgh and Glasgow. For more information check out episode #21 in the Journeys through the British Isles category.

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Scotland — The City of Edinburgh

Posted on November 19, 2013 by On Top Of The World


Edinburgh, the Scottish capital, is a world Heritage site and two cities in one, the modern and the medieval, with some of the finest examples of 16th and 17th century homes. We explore the back streets in search of the City’s origins and history from the stone wall built by the early tribes to the craggy hill-top fortress, past the site of public executions, to a meeting with Mary Queen of Scots and a visit to Holyroodhouse. Our modern day attractions included an underground sea odyssey, a stay in a hotel that was once a famous Scottish newspaper, and a murder and mystery tour that reveals haunting evidence of witches. For more information check out episode #20 in the Journeys through the British Isles category

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