Western Morning News

Darcey enjoys a Highland Fling

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IDarcey learns more about her ancestry on a visit to Scotland

F you want to see worldfamou­s ballerina Darcey skip gracefully around the deck of a boat in a pink anorak, then this is the show for you.

The former prima ballerina and Strictly judge enters the ‘celebs do travelogue­s’ hall of fame in this four-part “odyssey” across the wilds of the Scottish islands.

Always elegant with glossy ponytail, the dancer is super enthusiast­ic on this soothing show with a slight Who Do You

Think You Are element.

“The story of these islands is part of my story too,” she says.

Her grandfathe­r was born in Scotland and spent most of his summers on the Isle of Bute, but it’s a place Darcey has only seen in pictures.

“He talked of the magical landscape and spectacula­r sights,” says Darcey,

who uncovers details of her ancestry on her journey.

She begins on the Isle of Skye where she tries scallops fresh from the loch and learns how to shuck her own.

She meets a weaver who shows her how to operate a loom and joins environmen­talists keeping beaches clean for all manner of wildlife, including Skye’s wonderful wild otters.

No series with Darcey would be complete without the opportunit­y for her to break into dance – and she does, having an impromptu lesson in traditiona­l Scottish step dancing and a few moves from further afield.

And Skye’s dark past is revealed when Darcey pays a visit to Kilchrist, a ruined village laid waste during the Highland Clearances, before her day ends with a wild swim in memory of her grandfathe­r.

 ??  ?? Darcey Bussell’s Scottish sojourn turns a little bit Bollywood
Darcey Bussell’s Scottish sojourn turns a little bit Bollywood

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