PICK OF TODAY’S TV

WORLD’S MOST SCENIC RAILWAY JOURNEYS, 8PM, CH5

ALL aboard for a new, sixth series of this most restful of travel shows — narrated as ever by Bill NIghy — as we let the train take the strain on ten more scenic journeys through some of the world’s most beautiful countryside. Namibia, Italy and the U.S. are on the itinerary for later episodes, but we begin in good old Blighty with a return to Scotland, ‘a place of poetry, legend and perfect panoramas’. An episode last October took us on a journey north through the Highlands from Inverness; this time, we set off on a coast-to-coast journey across more glorious Scottish landscapes. Train enthusiasts will be keen to know that our mode of transport is a ScotRail twocar Class 158 Express Sprinter diesel unit, which will be setting off from Kyle of Lochalsh, the tiny, remote fishing village on the far west coast, heading east across the rugged Highlands. On reaching Speyside, the heart of whisky country, we’ll be turning south and heading for Aberdeen, Britain’s oil capital. Along the way, we meet the locals, including a herd of red deer (pictured) that live on the Attadale sporting estate. The line was originally constructed to bring cattle down from the Highlands but its principal purpose is now tourism — and no wonder, with so many spectacular views on offer.