Every time Mull and Iona get another large dose of free primetime exposure many other locations in Scotland cast an envious eye on this part of Argyll.
But what was unusual about a recent TV crew’s visit was the time of year they chose to come.
Bill Bailey’s Big Birdwatch Bonanza – aired tonight at 9.00pm on Sky1/HD tonight and repeated at various times on Sky 1 and Sky 2 over the next few days (check TV listings) – focuses on Autmn and Winter.
This is a new direction for Sky 1 under their new Controller who is keen to increase their UK natural history output.
The new format sees comedian Bill Bailey as the host setting birding challenges for two teams of celebs.
Simple. The more key species sighted and digi-scoped (without disturbing anything), the more points. And what do points mean? Prizes! You got it. Ok so it wasn’t exactly the BBC’s Natural History Unit but we have to occasionally try new things to stay ahead of the competition, don’t we?
Here on the Isle of Mull at this time of year we have a wealth of autumnal wildlife from displaying golden eagles to rutting red deer stags (ok, not birds but they filmed anything that moved and a few things that didn’t).
And so it came to pass that a 25 strong crew established base camp complete with tents and campfire at The Shielings in Craignure (conveniently close to the cosy bar in the Craignure Inn) and began their four days of filming fun and frolics.
The two teams were captained by another stand-up comedian Jeff Green and TV presenter Alex Zane. On Mull their celebs were (get ready…) – former page 3 model, Top of the Pops presenter, Love Island runner-up and Celebrity Master Chef winner 2009 (deep breath) Jayne Middlesmiss; and the not-so-undercover-reporter-anymore and Dancing on Ice star Donal MacIntyre.
And what fun they all had.
On Day 1, each team sailed across from Oban n their own boatd, provided by the Smith brothers’ Coastal Connection, spotting porpoises, dolphins, seabirds (and even a 2006 yellow wing-tagged sea eagle – we hope to ID the bird from the footage).
Next day they mountain-biked from the high tops to sea level, then kayaked round the coast in Salen Bay.
Finally, on Day 3 they’d saved the best ’til last: Loch Frisa and the eagles.
For a while the eagles remained extremely elusive and I began to wonder if they’d all signed an exclusive contract with the BBC. But finally they were all treated to some fabulous white-tailed and golden eagle action.
But which team won? You’ll have to tune in to find out (tonight, 28th January,9.00pm Sky 1 / HD).
They were a great bunch – all a bit manic at times but really good fun, respectful of their surroundings and environment and the teams genuinely enjoyed responsible wildlife watching which was totally new to most of them.
Is it worth all the effort? I hope so:
- new audience of potential visitors to Mull & Iona seeing that wildlife watching can be fun
- at the last count at least 10 businesses around Mull benefiting in some small way from the filming
- a plug for the Eagle Hide which is still open and making money for local good causes
- the islands to be shown in all their autumnal glory
- more people seeing amazing wildlife and thinking it’s worth saving
- and last but not least Bill Bailey performing in the Craignure Inn!
Now that doesn’t happen every day. These things are always a balance of pros and cons and the results are often difficult to judge but if it helps just a little to keep Mull & Iona ahead of the pack, it’s surely worth a try’.
Dave Sexton, RSPB Mull Officer
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