TV series highlights Speyside's appeal as staycation destination

SPEYSIDE will feature in a new BBC ALBA programme offering staycation inspiration for people feeling the travel itch after a year of confinement.

The eight-part Mach à Seo!/Let’s Go!, beginning this month, explores some of Scotland's most beautiful places to offer ideas on where to go when travel restrictions lift.

Presenter Ramsay MacMahon said: "I was an advocate of the staycation long before the confinement of 2020 and this series goes to prove that you often have everything you need right on your doorstep.

"For me, Scotland is my oyster with its magnificent scenery and almost endless supply of hidden glens, white beaches and exciting adventures to be had."

Speyside will feature in the second episode, on Wednesday, March 24, when Ramsay follows the River Spey from source to sea on foot, by train, bike and canoe, and sets up camp along its banks.

Ramsay takes on the whitewater rapids of the Spey, goes off-road in a 4x4 to see how many distilleries he can spot from the foothills of Ben Rinnes, and eventually ends up at Spey Bay, the largest shingle beach in Scotland where the Spey opens to the sea.

Throughout the series Ramsay also visits Assynt in south-west Sutherland, East Lothian, the Isle of Mull, Durness on the north coast, Largs and the Isle of Cumbrae, Perthshire and the Trossachs, and the Slate islands in Argyll.

Mach à Seo!/Let’s Go! begins on Wednesday, March 17, at 10pm and is on every Wednesday at the same time until May 5. Episodes will be available on BBC iPlayer for 30 days afterwards.

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