DESPITE the Hebridean wind and rain Dave MacLeod and Tim Emmett did a really magnificent job in climbing their new route The Usual Suspect, E8, on Sron Ulladale on the Isle of Harris on Saturday. And, in addition to some incredible rock climbing, they managed to entertain hundreds of thousands of television viewers who tuned in to see The Great Climb - almost 6 hours of outside broadcasting from one of the remotest locations you could find in the UK.

It was a technological success story in itself - to broadcast in High Def from such a difficult location and under such appalling weather conditions was simply mind-boggling and the technical crew were aware that they were really pushing the limits. It was, as several people have suggested, television history in the making.

Dave MacLeod - climbed with five stitches in his ankle

Compliments too to the camera operators, a great bunch of guys, climbers themselves, who hung in awkward positions for six or seven hours to catch all the action. And it was a great success story for the riggers who had been out on the crag for a week before the broadcast, in all kind of horrible weather, to get the camera positiions tied down securely. The whole production team from Triple Echo Productions have been working on this project for a long, long time. Years in fact. Their patience and optimism really did keep everyone going, especially after the Cairngorm project three years ago when bad weather cancelled the whole project. This really was a Triple Echo for BBC Scotland project. And a special word for my colleagues on the commentary team. To a man they were excellent, and bloody good company to boot. Each day as we walked in and out to the foot of the Sron I shared some excellent company and I mentioned to Dougie Vipond, the presenter of the show, on more than one occasion, that it had been years since I had laughed so much. The whole experience was a delight and I was extremely privileged to be part of it.

Tim Emmett with his action man lookalike

But the stars of the day were Dave and Tim. Dave, with five fresh stitches on his ankle, and Tim, the guy who makes everyone smile, put up a phenomenal showing of rock climbing skills and it was a real delight just to watch their movement and control. It was some of the finest climbing I’ve ever seen, and in an overhanging situation where, only fifty feet away, the Atlantic winds were blowing lashing rain showers across the face of the crag. To climb a route like that on such a day was simply amazing.

Tim and Dave, the stars of the show

But now it’s all over, done and dusted. The forums and blogs and websites are buzzing and despite the little bit if forum fodder from the inevitable wingers I think the general feeling was one of delight. I just hope it encourages the BBC to do more of it…

Below: Stephen Venables and Mark Garthwaite in the commentary box, and below, the walk-in to Sron Ulladale

Check this out - the BBC trailer for Saturday’s Great Climb on the Isle of Harris.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/scotland/8938527.stm

HAD a few days in the vast open spaces of Sutherland - immense cloud tumbled skies, rain showers like curtains of grey and vastness of view, all round. It really is an amazing area of Scotland. We drove up via Golspie and Wick and across to Thurso and camped for the night near Rosal, a cleared village in Strath Naver.

We then took what must be the loneliest road in Scotland, from Strath Naver across to the little railway village of Kinbrace, stopping off to climb Ben Griam Mor and Ben Griam Beg. It was a bit of a fight against gale force winds but at least it was dry. On the way home we wandered up Ben Bhraggie above Golspie, wondering why the statue of the Duke of Sutherland has never been blown up. It seems a little incongruous that a family that caused such devastation in the clearances should be celebrated in such a way…

It was a good break before a busy week preparing for the BBC’s Live Climb on Harris. The safety team are already in place on Sron Ulladale, rigging up the crag for the cameramen, and the producers are doing all sorts of weird weather dances to encourage the gods to look kindly on us. Climbers Dave MacLeod and Tim Emmett will arrive tomorow or the next day and the presenters and commentary team will arrive on Wednesday and Thursday. Rehearsals on Thursday and Friday before the big day on Saturday. Broadcast starts at 1.30pm on BBC 2 Scotland and Sky Channel 990. Breaks into the UK network from 5-7pm on BBC HD Channel.

It promises to be a good afternoon’s entertainment with the two climbers attempting a new route, possibly E9, on the horrendously overhanging face of Sron Ulladale. It’s so overhanging Dave MacLeod has described it as the best umbrella on Harris! Other then the climbing there will be loads of feature films looking at the wildlife, walks and culture of the Isle of Harris. I’m looking forward to it, but I guess I better go now and start doing my homework, then go and buy some more midge repellent. I think I might need it…

PHEW… finished it at last. It’s been a long time in the writing but I’m delighted that the Skye Trail book has now been written, edited and it’s now on its way to the designers. Hope to have it published by mid-October, just in time for Christmas!

Richard Else has provided some great images of the trip we did for BBC Scotland last year - from Rhuba Hunish at the tip of Trotternish, all the way down to Broadford. I thought it would take a lot to beat the Sutherland Trail we did the year before but I suspect the Skye Trail is every bit as good, maybe even better!!!

So, I can relax a bit now and begin preparing for the BBC Scotland Live Climb in a couple of weeks time. Then it’s hotfoot back to the Hebrides to film my big journey for this year’s Christmas slot - from Vatarsay to the Butt of Lewis. Looks like being a busy Autumn.

HERE are some dates you should put in your diary. Friday September 17th to Monday 20th is the weekend of the Isle of Arran Mountain Festival, a spectacular four days of guided walks, talks and celeidhs.

If you’ve never visited Arran then you’re really missing out. It’s often described as the “highlands in miniature” but it’s better than that, there’s nothing miniature about it. The four Corbetts on the island are amongst the best in the land - Goatfell, Beinn Tarsuinn, Cir Mhor and Caisteal Abhail and there is a host of other great walking possibilities, including stretches of Arran’s superb coastline. A number of years ago I was honoured to be asked to visit Arran and officially open the Isle of Arran Coastal Trail. I not only opened it but walked the route and I have very happy memories of a great walk, and great company. I’m looking forward to returning to the island for the Festival, and giving a talk in the Corrie Village Hall on the Saturday evening. You’ll get full details of the festival events here. Hope to see you in September…