Making Scotland's Landscape

Wild Faces of Switzerland

In the heart of Europe lies Switzerland. In its midst yet apart from it, like an island. The Swiss Confederation holds a special position not only politically and historically – in particular, its scenic diversity is something really special: majestic mountains, lush green valleys, craggy rock landscapes and Mediterranean lakes all close together in one small geographical location. Switzerland is proud of its distinction and autonomy, reflected amongst other things in its different cantons and linguistic regions. Each episode in our series “Wild Faces of Switzerland“ seeks to do justice to this diversity.

La Suisse des lacs

Ireland's Coast

A three-part documentary series that journeys to the heart of Ireland's coast, revealing its fascinating origins, rich biodiversity and magnetic charm.

Rise of the Continents

The Earth’s continents are instantly recognizable. These iconic landmasses seem permanent and unchanging, yet they are merely the wreckage of a much larger long-lost supercontinent – Pangaea. In this stunning four part series Professor Iain Stewart uncovers the evidence for this ancient past. He reveals how the world around us is full of clues – in the rocks, the landscapes and even the animals. All of which tell us how the land we live on was created.

A History of Scotland

Presented by Neil Oliver, A History of Scotland is a television series first broadcast in November 2008 on BBC One Scotland and later shown UK-wide on BBC Two during January 2009. The second series began on BBC One Scotland in early November 2009, with transmission at a later point on network BBC Two. Along with the series, BBC Scotland planned a range of radio programmes, a new website, an interactive game, and concerts. The Open University, in collaboration with the BBC, also created a series of audio walks around historic locations in Scotland, with narration from Oliver. In Australia, series one aired on SBS One Sundays at 7:30pm from 6 December 2009 to 3 January 2010. Series two commenced on 24 October 2010 running until 21 November in the same Sunday night Lost Worlds strand. It has since been repeated.

Countryfile

The people, places and stories making news in the British countryside.

Maps of Power

Since the dawn of time, geography has shaped the fate of nations. This three-part documentary explores how mountains, rivers, seas, and deserts have influenced the decisions of governments, as well as the rise of civilisations. Geography remains a constant force in history, from determining a nation’s location on the world map to its access to natural resources. While the USA’s ascent as a global power was driven by its unique position between two oceans, Russia’s history has been defined by its relentless search for warm-water ports. China’s geopolitical importance stems from its historical position as the hub of Eurasian trade, from the ancient Silk Road to its current maritime dominance in the Pacific. Today’s global powers owe their status and significance to natural forces. Geography is the ultimate creator of nations.

Scotland: My Life in the Wild

Wildlife cameraman Hamza Yassin captures beautiful footage of incredible animal behaviour on one of the most spectacular locations on the planet - Scotland's Ardnamurchan peninsula

Billy Connolly's Great American Trail

Billy Connolly goes far off the beaten track into the places you’ve heard of but have rarely seen, as he follows the migratory trail of the Scots through America, starting in New York and finishing in the heart of America, Nashville, Tennessee.

Scotland: The New Wild

Series showcasing Scotland's wildlife, habitats and scenery. Scotland is moving into a new age of the Wild. Driven by the passion of youth and a spirit of innovation, the re-wilding of the Nation has become a flagship issue for the 21st Century. With a new appreciation of the wild and its wildlife the future of Scotland’s most iconic habitats may be wilder than we could ever imagine …..

Crazy Borders

Enclaves, loaned territories, disputed areas and microstates: This is the series that looks at places with absurd borders.

The Great Rift: Africa's Wild Heart

A BBC/Animal Planet co-production, the three-part series focuses on the landscape and wildlife of the Great Rift Valley in East Africa.

Andrew Marr's Great Scots: The Writers Who Shaped a Nation

Andrew Marr explores the lives and works of the Scottish writers who helped define a national identity over the last three centuries.

Echappées Belles

Échappées Belles is a French weekly discovery magazine, broadcast on Saturdays in the first part of the evening on France 5 since September 30, 2006. It is presented in turn by Sophie Jovillard, Jérôme Pitorin, Ismaël Khelifa, Tiga, Sabine Quindou, Théo Curin and Anto Cocagne.

Highlands: Scotland's Wild Heart

In the North of Scotland, far from bustling cities and gentle hills of the South, lies Europe's greatest wilderness – the Highlands of Scotland. Scoured by ice and weathered by storms, it may look bleak and lifeless, but wildlife is thriving in this unforgiving place, if you know where to look! In this stunning four-part series, narrated by Ewan McGregor, we meet ospreys, red squirrels, otters, dolphin and golden eagles – all struggling to turn adversity to their advantage and make a success of living in Scotland's living Wild Heart.

Scotland: A Year In The Wild

This four-part nature series reveals the extraordinary stories of Scotland’s secret wild places and the unexpected animals that live there. Scotland hosts a spectacular array of wildlife, from highland red deer, white-tailed eagles, red squirrels and pine martens to coastal dwelling puffins, grey seals, otters, and even killer whales. Stretching from the Shetlands to the south of the country, each episode focuses on how animals strive to survive through four very different seasons in one epic year, dominated by a maritime climate that’s both punishing and unpredictable, with their lives always at the mercy of the elements.

All Aboard! Scotland's Poshest Train

From picturesque scenery and rich history to sumptuous spa rooms and culinary artistry, Alan Cumming revels in the Royal Scotsman's splendour on an opulent odyssey through the heart of Scotland.

Creedon's Atlas of Ireland

John Creedon is a man on a mission, teasing and exploring the true meaning behind some of Ireland's most unusual, iconic and famous place names.

How The Earth Works

Biologist Liz Bonnin and geologist Martin Pepper set out on a global expedition to answer the most thought-provoking questions in earth science today. Throughout history, such geologic events as volcanic eruptions, tsunamis, tectonic plate motion, earthquakes, and asteroid impacts have continually reshaped Earth's surface, spreading chaos across the planet. By performing experiments, making observations in the field, and consulting expert scientists, the eight-part series works to uncover Earth's immeasurable capacity to create and destroy.

Volcano Stories

No two volcanoes are alike; each one has its own distinctive landscape, climate, and geological context. Just as unique are the people we meet along the way who help us comprehend how greatly our planet – and our lives – have been shaped by volcanic phenomena. For the scientific aspect of each episode, we explore the very diverse range of questions raised by volcanic phenomena in such varied fields as earth sciences, climatology, biodiversity, oceanography, geography, agronomics, and archaeology. The cultural part of the show delves into mythology, religion, philosophy, folk and artistic traditions, cooking, and ways of life.