As it happens I was up in that area the same time last year and weather was incredible. It wasn't a suprise that the first episode indicated the perfect location and outlook.
As he's only there for 6 months from April through to September, it's just one long holiday. He has money, connections, a researcher or two and all the basics covered. He deosn't even have to start collecting wood for winter and preparing for some proper hardship.
Not what I would call a tough life. Experts coming out of the pub to handle everything for him, and the BBC name to back it up. The locals know full well that the area will be innundated by tourists (and alternative life seekers) over the next few years, so naturally they are cashing in on it.
The same thing happened at Tarensay (sp?) after the original Castaways programme. It is now an alternative holiday desitination and money has flowed into the area.
Not that I want to deprive them of it. That area of rural Scotland really does need the financial support and when I was there the fuel strikes were on, so I saw first hand the effect of the reduced number of campervans and early holiday makers and how tight Spring was looking for some of them.
I enjoyed the images though, and yes it made me want to visit again. But my dissapointment is with the BBC, who can't do anything properly without (a) a celebrity, and (b) parachute. 'Survival' is such a misued term in media land. It seems anything outside the M25 is classed as survival.
He admits to not being a 'Ray Mears' type, so what is the prog all about then? The simple life (providing you have money) to show all of us what we are missing, as we are doing our best to get through the current situation. It strikes me it is more a tourist information series to boost the economy in rural Scotland.
Cheers thanks BBC. The Public Service Broadcasting service for which we pay another Tax for scores another great hit, and we learn diddly squat.
Lovely to look at, but seriously ..... totally pointless.
I wish I said that - I've been banging that drum since I left the production industry a lovely programme and a huge missed oportunity.