Walking Through Landscape

Take a walk though any landscape in Scotland, and there's a story to be uncovered - of human lives, and the impact we've had on the land around us. Join Iain Stewart as he walks through some of Scotland's most intriguing landscapes, guided by people who live and work in them, to uncover tales of how we have exploited, celebrated and enjoyed Scotland's forests, hills, lochs, glens and shores. In this programme, Iain visits Culbin Forest in Moray. The area famous is for its history - it was once a prosperous faming estate, buried by a great sandstorm in the 17th century. For 200 years after, Culbin was Scotland's Saraha - miles of sand that moved across the land. The sand was stabilised by the Forestry Commission in the mid 20th century. From the 1930s onwards, they planted Culbin Forest, which today is a vast area of green, and a unique habitat: because it's man made, there are plants and animals there in combinations you don't find anywhere else. Between the forest and sea is an area of saltmarsh, winter home to thousands of birds; constantly changing and being shaped by coastal processes. And the impact of climate and storms is not over - every year, the Culbin sandbar is washed westwards, and as sea levels rise and storms increase, the fragile habitats of Culbin could be damaged again.

Take a walk though any landscape in Scotland, and there's a story to be uncovered - of human lives, and the impact we've had on the land around us. Join Iain Stewart as he visits some of Scotland's most intriguing landscapes, guided by people who live and work in them, to uncover tales of how we have exploited, celebrated and enjoyed Scotland's forests, hills, lochs, glens and shores. This walk takes Iain to the East Neuk of Fife, home to Scotland's last village fishing industry. Yet the fishing is not what it once was - because many of the fish have disappeared from the Forth. Iain walks between Pittenweem and Anstruther, to hear how the decline of the fishing industry has affected them. As he follows the coast, he seeks out the wildlife which draws visitors to the area. What happens under the water affects the lives and livelihoods of the people who live in these villages, and Iain discovers that even today, this corner of Fife is shaped by its proximity to the sea.

Take a walk though any landscape in Scotland, and there's a story to be uncovered - of human lives, and the impact we've had on the land around us. Join Iain Stewart as he walks through some of Scotland's most intriguing landscapes, guided by people who live and work in them, to uncover tales of how we have exploited, celebrated and enjoyed Scotland's forests, hills, lochs, glens and shores. In this programme, Earth, Iain visits Glen Lui, in the heart of the Cairngorms National Park. As he walks up the glen towards the mountains, he learns that the area has long been a playground for visitors - and how that recreational history still shapes the glen today.

Take a walk though any landscape in Scotland, and there's a story to be uncovered - of human lives, and the impact we've had on the land around us. Join Iain Stewart as he walks through some of Scotland's most intriguing landscapes, guided by people who live and work in them, to uncover tales of how we've exploited, celebrated and enjoyed Scotland's forests, hills, lochs, glens and shores. In this programme, Trees, Iain visits Ariundle oakwoods, in Sunart. They're a lush green space, full of plant and animal life. But they're also incredibly rich in archaeology. Iain seeks out the stories of human and natural history the old oak trees have witnessed, discovering that if it wasn't for the demands of 18th century industry, the woods wouldn't be here today.