I've always enjoyed a good cookery show and one of my favourite TV chefs is Raymond Blanc. So when I was approached to do some filming for his latest show I jumped at the chance.
The programme, Raymond Blanc's Royal Kitchen Gardens, follows Raymond as he travels the length and breadth of the UK to visit five Royal palaces and their incredible kitchen gardens. Here in Scotland his journey took him to Dumfries House in Ayrshire and the Castle of Mey in Caithness.
Dumfries House
Coincidentally, I already felt connected to both locations. I live near to Dumfries House and in 2021 when the Covid lockdown rules in Scotland eased from "Stay at Home" to "Stay Local", walks around the grounds at Dumfries were, literally, a breath of fresh air. My history with the Castle of Mey goes back much further. I grew up a few miles along the coast from the castle and have many fond memories of the Queen Mother's visits.
The gardens at both are stunning and I would recommend everybody visit them if they're able. Being given access to them when they were closed to the public was something very special. That I was also able to spend hours flying my drones in these incredible locations was simply a dream come true.
Of course, it wasn't all sunshine and lollipops. More than once I was sent running to both gardens' greenhouses to shelter from an unforcasted downpour. And if you watch the Castle of Mey epsiode you'll see from the movement in the treetops that there was a traditionally stiff Caithness breeze blowing on the day. But if you want to fly drones in Scotland you'll quickly learn to cope with a bit of a hoolie.
Catch Raymond Blanc's Royal Kitchen Gardens on Sunday mornings at 11:30am on ITV1. Episodes 2 (The Castle of Mey) and 3 (Dumfries House) are available to watch now on the itvX.com and STV.tv websites.