Grand Tours of Scotland’s Rivers episode 3: Paul explores the lower reaches of the river Spey – Scotland’s third longest river, famous for its forests, whisky distilleries and salmon – as it flows north towards the coast. On the way Paul hears tales of loggers who floated timber down the river from the 17th century onwards. He then takes to the water in a canoe and discovers the rare and endangered freshwater mussels that were once harvested for their precious pearls, which adorn royal crowns.       Sampling a dram of the original water of life, Paul reaches the

Grand Tours of Scotland’s Rivers episode 2: Paul Murton explores the upper reaches of the river Spey – Scotland’s third longest river – from its source in the wilds of Badenoch to Broomhill, halfway down. He hears stories of clan chief Cluny Macpherson, who hid with his gold for nine years in an inaccessible cave.       Heading to a hidden tributary, Paul discovers a secret aristocratic Victorian love nest located in a remote glen where the wilderness is returning. In Newtonmore, Paul sees traditional Highland houses that remind him of Hobbit dwellings, before he rides a steam train

Grand Tours of Scotland’s Rivers episode 1: Paul Murton explores the River Garry and hears tales of clan chief Struan Robertson, who fought in all three Jacobite risings. Paul then discovers the geology of deep time, before restaging the Battle of Killiecrankie with just two men, a musket and a broadsword. After surviving a Highland charge, Paul falls off a bridge. He reaches journey’s end on the beautiful Ben Vrackie – the ‘speckled hill’.       Seasoned traveller Paul Murton sets off downstream to explore five rivers over six programmes from source to sea. Paul Murton is a Scottish