Grand Tours of the Scottish Islands

Paul Murton journeys to Heisgeir, the island once inhabited by people, before sailing around Sula Sgeir, a renowned gannet haven. He then confronts rough seas in the North Atlantic, persevering until he finally makes landfall on the remote North Rona of Scotland.

The broadcast titled is presented as a programme in the form of a single episode. It follows the familiar format of the series, offering viewers a concise yet focused look at a handful of remote Scottish islands. In this instalment, presenter Paul Murton sets off to explore three distinct locations. He first makes his way to Heisgeir, an island that once supported a permanent community. From there he navigates around Sula Sgeir, a well‑known sanctuary for thousands of gannets, before pressing on toward the isolated outpost of North Rona. The journey is marked by a series of varied maritime conditions. After touring the abandoned settlement on Heisgeir, Murton’s boat skirts the cliffs of Sula Sgeir, where the bird colonies dominate the landscape. The episode then shifts to the open sea, where increasingly rough waters test his resolve as he attempts to reach North Rona. Despite the challenging swells, Murton eventually manages to touch down on North Rona. The final segment captures the effort required to land on the stark, wind‑blown island, underscoring the remote nature of these places and the determination needed to visit them.