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Western Isles

Chris Packham and Meg McCubbin’s wildlife-watching road trip draws to a close with golden eagles on Harris, Risso’s dolphins off the Lewis coast and a few surprises for the pair.

The final leg of Chris and Meg's journey takes them to the Western Isles in the far north of Scotland. Meg spots a minke whale and a pod of dolphins on the ferry before they even reach the isles!

On the Isle of Harris, the pair are delighted to see white-tailed eagles almost as soon as they leave the car park, before spotting several golden eagles up in the hills. Next, they make a stop in Bragar on the Isle of Lewis to marvel at the Whalebone Arch – a garden gate fashioned from the jaw bones of a blue whale which washed up on a nearby beach over 100 years ago.

Later, they head out on a boat from Stornoway Harbour and are treated to a display by a pod of Risso’s dolphins. Often mistaken for orcas due to their sizeable dorsal fins, Risso’s dolphins are larger and harder to spot than their common cousins.

On the last day of the trip, Meg has a surprise for Chris as she takes him to visit Steve Dilworth, an artist living on the Isle of Harris, whose work Chris fell in love with when he visited the island 30 years ago. Steve preserves the bodies of birds found around the island in ornate caskets made from natural materials – revering the wildlife we take for granted.

On the stunning white sands of Luskentyre Beach, Chris and Meg toast their trip with a glass of local gin infused with sugar kelp from the island.

29 minutes

Last on

Fri 19 Apr 2024 16:45

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Music Played

  • Keane

    Somewhere Only We Know

  • The Bad Shepherds

    White Riot

  • Babyshambles

    Albion

Credits

Role Contributor
Presenter Chris Packham
Presenter Megan McCubbin
Executive Producer Rosemary Edwards
Series Producer Joanne Stevens
Producer Joe Myerscough
Production Manager Nicola Kowalski

Broadcasts