Susan Calman turns tourist on her home turf as she checks out iconic locations for Channel 5's Secret Scotland
Susan Calman turns tourist on her home turf as she checks out iconic locations in Secret Scotland
We can all relate to comedian and Strictly heroine Susan Calman when she opens her new travel series with the words, ‘I’m a proud Scot… but I’ve driven past some of our famous spots hundreds of times without stopping’.
Being a tourist on your own turf doesn’t come naturally to many, but Susan makes a success of it in her new five-part series.
She starts out on her journey tonight with behind-the-scenes access at Edinburgh Castle, before confronting her fear of ghouls in a spooky underground ghost tour.
Perhaps a round at the ‘home of golf’, the iconic St Andrews Links, will settle Susan’s nerves?
TV Times rating: ****
TV Times caught up with Susan who gives us highlights from the five episodes...
Edinburgh: episode one
‘I believe in ghosts, so I had to explore the haunted South Bridge Vaults. It’s where body snatchers Burke and Hare used to abduct people. I’m a bit ashamed to say I didn’t last long!’
Stirling: episode two
‘I learn that Mary, Queen of Scots was huge – 5ft 11in [Susan is 4ft 9in], and why the unicorn is Scotland’s national symbol.
I also have an emotional moment at Loch Lomond with a golden eagle on my arm.’
Loch Ness episode three
‘I meet Steve Feltham who’s obsessed with finding the Loch Ness monster.
He says he saw it once but had forgotten his camera!’
Borders episode four
‘I love that Scotland is a very welcoming country. I speak to people with a real passion for their slice of life, including an extraordinary shepherdess.
She had worked all over the world and ended up in the Borders on a farm with her sheepdogs.’
Orkney episode five
‘Orkney was on my bucket list and it was brilliant!
I’m given access to the buildings in the Neolithic Age settlement of Skara Brae. I’m also on a lot of boats for some reason – even though I’m not very good on boats!’
