For the past few weeks I have been watching Monty Halls Great Hebridean Escape. This evening's episode followed Monty Halls, assisted by local archaeologist Kirsty McDonald, mark out a new archaeological trail on the North Uist peninsular. The trail takes in the remains of North Uist's iron age wheelhouse

The archaeological aspect is just one facet of life on the Uists and Barra; Monty Halls (and dog) is affable and in tune with the local people - tonight he accidentally whacks his own foot with a sledgehammer while sinking one of the trail posts. I winced a bit as he took off his boot and sock, submerging his swollen foot in the freezing sea.

Fascinating stuff for a southern softie ... can be seen online, the archaeological bit is in the second half of the programme though it is all worth watching.