Two New Towns, One Guide Dog, and a Whole Lot of Filming

“Oi you, what are we doing next?”

A couple of weeks ago, in my post Breaking News I mentioned we’d landed two more My Kind of Town programmes for the BBC Scotland Channel. Now, as I drag myself back to work after a two-week break, we’re getting stuck into what they’ll look like.

My Kind Of Town on demand takes you to the aBBC iplayer

Where we’re going

I should probably say where we’re heading: Alloa in Clackmannanshire, and Peterhead in Aberdeenshire.

People often ask how we pick the towns. Simple answer: we go somewhere that is either bypassed or forgotten about unless its bad news. These two fit the bill. You don’t often see them on the telly, and when you do, it’s not exactly glowing coverage.

First stop: Alloa

Take Alloa. Not many people chat about it, and if I’m honest, I don’t think I’ve ever been. And I’ve been to most corners of Scotland. So, I’m properly looking forward to having a nose around.

We’ll be there at the end of May for a week, filming anything that moves, and a few things that don’t.

Then on to Peterhead

Mid-to-late June, we’re off to Peterhead in Northeast Scotland. It’s a big fishing town. Actually, it’s a massive fishing town!

There’s also the prison, which, although now closed, used to be a major employer. And yes, I’ll be popping into the prison museum. Hopefully just the museum. Otherwise, we’ll be forming an escape committee.

But Peterhead isn’t just about fish and prisoners, I’m keen to find out what else makes this town tick.

Meet the crew

Picture of Dougie, James, Ian & Major

With the towns confirmed, our producer-director Annie Cheape, or as she’s more often called, “Oi you, what are we doing next?” has started pulling the team together.

So far, we’ve got James McLaughlin on camera. He’s a regular on My Kind of Town and handles most of my News Reports also. Sound is being handled by Dougie Fairgreive and Daniel Bennett, my News producer, is joining the team for the first time as assistant producer to Annie.

Tanya Carmichael is back as well. She’s got more job titles than a wedding planner—dog wrangler, road manager, production assistant, runner... basically, if there’s a job no one else can do, or wants, Tanya’s doing it. And without her, god knows how we would be able function!

When we get to Peterhead, it’ll be the same team, with one change. Sound duty swaps to Dave Eden—another regular member of the crew.

Picture of the crew in Campbeltown, James, David, Annie, Ian & Major

Major’s moment

Picture of Major looking very happy down at the beach in Orkney

And then there's Major. My guide dog. These could be his final appearances on My Kind of Town. He turns ten years old in December and will be retiring shortly after.

Bit of a shock! where has the time has gone? but I doubt he'll miss the early starts and the endless hanging around. He's probably dreaming of a retirement filled with unlimited belly rubs and no more TV directors telling him to "do that again, but this time look cuter." [Oddly, I’m dreaming of that as well.]

On location, we take good care of him. I can't speak for the rest of the crew, but Major's comfort is non-negotiable. And I know many of you will be glad to hear it.

Summer in Scotland can surprise you with the odd warm day! So, we make sure he stays cool, doesn't overheat or get dehydrated. He gets a free run every day, part of the filming schedule. If I'm off doing something unsuitable for paws, Tanya makes sure he's watered, walked and happy.

Let's be honest, he's the real star of the show. I've no illusions about that.

Say hello if you spot us

If you spot us wandering about Alloa or Peterhead, confused and aimless, do come and say hello. We’re very approachable. Well, most of us are. We don’t bite, well, most of us don’t.

So, if you’ve got any local tips, stories or ideas about either town, let us know. Keep it upbeat—we’re making a glass-half-full sort of programme. You can comment here or catch me on social media.