A MATCH MADE IN TV HEAVEN
VIEWERS have really taken to this series, which sees comedian Susan Calman take a light-hearted jaunt around her homeland. It’s the usual celeb travelogue format, but it benefits from Susan’s humour and enthusiasm.
In tonight’s penultimate episode, Susan heads behind the scenes at Gretna Green, the UK’s wedding capital, and uncovers the secrets of weddings past, including some intriguing tales at the famous Blacksmith’s Forge.
Although she discovers that times may have changed, ‘runaway’ weddings can still happen at Gretna Green, and Susan even gets a chance to play her own part in a ceremony happening that day.
Travelling through the Borders, Susan follows the course of the world-famous River Tweed, trying her hand at fly-fishing.
Apparently, it’s all about casting – but this proves to be easier said than done as Susan gets waist deep in the fastflowing water.
The name Tweed also gives its name to the rough, woollen fabric, made to withstand harsh climate and traditionally worn for outdoor activities such as shooting and hunting.
The original name of the cloth was tweel, Scots for twill, but around 1831, a London merchant received a letter from a Hawick firm, Wm. Watson & Sons, Dangerfield Mills, about some ‘tweels’.
The merchant misinterpreted the handwriting, understanding it to be a trade-name taken from the River Tweed.
The goods were subsequently advertised as Tweed and the name has remained ever since.
Although, the textile industry is not as prominent as it once was in the area, Susan does manage to meet up with weavers at the last commercial handwoven tartan mill in the world.
She also discovers that her own ancestors would have needed quite a large wardrobe for all the tartans to which the Calmans can lay claim.
Next up, Susan learns how rugby became a very different game when it made its way to the town of Melrose.
The comedian even takes part in a game in the town that hosts the oldest rugby sevens competition in the world, the Melrose 7s, which dates back to 1883.
Finally, Susan, who captured the public’s imagination on Strictly Come Dancing last year, is able to put her dancing skills to good use in an unexpected setting as she learns the secrets of herding sheep with the smartest dog breed in the world – the border collie.
It is thought by some that the word ‘collie’ comes from the old Celtic word for ‘useful’. But will Susan’s moves prove to be just that when it comes to keeping a flock of sheep in check?