The nation waits to see whether Peterhead’s Nathan can stomach going back to gut fish

The BBC is back in the north-east to make another TV series about fishermen. The last one was about 10 years ago and it was called Trawlermen. Why is the BBC going back to sea with these guys fae the Bloo Toon when we cannae undstond a flippin’ word that cams oot their mooths, like? Seriously, the only way I could follow skipper Jimmy Buchan on Trawlermen was by putting on the subtitles. Even that technology could not keep up with him sometimes.

Now look what they’ve done with this new series on Monday nights called Fish Town. They have another skipper, this time John Buchan, up in the hi-tech driving seat of the deep-sea haddock-catcher, the Ocean Endeavour.

You know what, I heard him fine. I could undstond, sorry, understand him. Subtitles not required. Sorry, Jimmy, no offence, but some north-east people are difficult to follow for heather-stuffed Hebridean ears. I am sure our Gaelic lilts are the same for you.

Not only could I make out what John Buchan was on about, but also rookie fisher and former fish frier Nathan Foreman, who was on his first trip and who seemed to be struggling with his new role.

No criticism here, mate. I couldn’t do it – either now or when I was also 18. As skipper John took her in to the west coast, probably Kinlochbervie or Lochinver, after sad family news cut the trip short, he also had his doots whether the lad would be back for another trip to Rockall. We’ll find out next week.

I like the fact this series is not set about the yakkety-yak radio chat in the wheelhouses. That lost me.

Monday night’s programme also featured trainee fish buyer Jason Jack who, at just 24, has a budget of £50,000 every morning to buy something to go with the chips and mushy peas of diners throughout Europe. Noo, that’s a lot of haddies, ken.

His old man was there to keep him right, of course.

Just as veteran skipper John Clarke on the trawler Reliance II was also there to keep son David, 24, right when he thinks he knows the ropes or even how to make the best scoff. Sensible lad, even though he did take time off to see Beyonce with his girlfriend, I reckon David will make the grade soon.

You know, I think Auntie Beeb may actually have another hit on her hands with Fish Town. That’s because it is about real people.

It was a bit emotional at times and does not even attempt to glamourise the tough and often-forgotten work that these fishers of men do week in, week out, to put food on our table.

It’s a tough old game. Then when they get through the heartaches, the separations from families, the inevitable poor catches, the hurricane force winds, and cooking like David’s, they are then raided – by our own government.

How will the trawler Rosenbloom fare when the fishery protection squad board her? I can’t wait until 7.30pm on Monday for the second episode. There’s six of them.

When Nathan said the trip was brutal, you could not help but sympathise with the lad. I think he said he had been on a scallop boat before, going a few miles out, but you got the impression the biggest waves he had seen were when he washed the chip shop floor with his mop and bucket.

Going to Rockall took a whole day and when they got there Storm Hector blasted up to Force 11. Yuck.

We didn’t see him or any of the crew hanging over the side saying goodbye to their breakfasts, but maybe that was edited out. If that didn’t happen, they’ve probably got a job for life if they want it.

Which is more than can be said of most of our leading politicians in Scotland and in the UK. What is going on?

The prime minister seems to be running out of crises she can withstand. The first minister is facing an inquiry and may also be on her last legs, depending on who you listen to.

I think Auntie Beeb may have another hit on her hands

Things keep happening so fast. By the time you read this, it could have all changed again and everything could be hunky dory for both of them. Nah, I don’t think so either.

Watching Fish Town reminded me that fish is my favourite food and I will generally have it for at least one course when we are out. But it has to be very fresh.

Some of us used to go to a London fish restaurant when I was based in those parts. It was expensive though so we could not go too often.

This time we went and the waiter greeted us with a cheery: “Welcome. Long time no see.”

I ordered my usual flakey seabass with caper dressing and all the trimmings but, when it came, it just wasn’t right. I complained and said it didn’t smell as fresh as last time.

The waiter replied: “As I said, long time no sea.”

Reliance II skipper John Clarke, right, and his son David are among the fishers who feature in the BBC’s new six-part series Fish Town.