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Three Men in a Boat
Filming took place and was completed in late 2010 for a fifth series, which sees the trio make their way to Scotland. Griff, Rory and Dara attempt to recreate some of James Boswell and Samuel Johnson's journey through the Scottish Highlands and Islands as told in The Journal of a Tour to the Hebrides, albeit in the opposite direction. They start at the Clyde near Glasgow and try to make their way to the Isle of Harris in time for the fly fishing season. This was broadcast in the post-Christmas period, 2010.
The guys first boat turns out to have wings, as they catch the Seaplane from Glasgow to the end of the Crinan Canal. It's here that Vic 32 awaits, it's one of the last surviving coal fired steam puffers. Their first task is to light the boiler and wait for it to get to temperature. In the meantime they decide to have a go at the Kilmore highland games, which means getting kitted out in full highland attire. Dara takes on the ladies hammer throwing champion and Griff takes part in a rowing race.
In the second party the three catch the ferry from Oban to Mull, where they visit Fingal's Cave, inspiration to so many writers, artists and musicians like Felix Mendelssohn. They leave Mull onboard Mascot, a 1904 Bristol Pilot Cutter, but immediately run into trouble as they get tangled in a lobster pot. They then sail along the coast to the Knoydart Peninsular, where they are shown how to survive, before finding Britain's most remote pub. Dara offers to give his friend, comedian and mountaineer Ed Byrne, a lift to the Cullins on Skye. He is trying to climb as many Scottish mountains as he can. They sail north, but realise they're running out of time. So they catch a lift with the Scottish Fisheries Protectorate Ship Norna, finally making the last week of the fishing season at Amhuinnsuidhe Castle on Harris, a place that has been described as 'heaven on earth'.
