A Handmade Tale

The River Irvine in Ayrshire is the hidden gem explored on this Grand Tour. From its source close to Loudoun Hill, Paul follows the river to the town of Irvine and the sea.
The River Irvine in Ayrshire is the hidden gem explored on this Grand Tour. From its source close to Loudoun Hill, Paul follows the river through ancient battle fields and discovers a legacy of lacemaking and a treasure trove of gemstones along its banks. At Kilmarnock, he salutes the memory of whisky giant Johnnie Walker – but is shocked to learn how the national poet Robert Burns once contemplated emigrating to Jamaica to work on a slave plantation. In Irvine, Paul visits the Scottish Maritime Museum and pulls at the oars as he joins a team of rowers heading out to sea.