Britain's Whale Hunters: The Untold Story (BBC4 9pm Mon 9th June)
ffa1
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Absolutely superb documentary about the history of Britain's Whaling industry. Part 2 is on next week at the same time.
Adam Nicolson is a terrific presenter. The bits filmed in the ghost whaling factory town of Leith Harbour on South Georgia were wonderfully evocative.
Watch it here if you missed it:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b046pb27/britains-whale-hunters-the-untold-story-1-the-rise
Adam Nicolson is a terrific presenter. The bits filmed in the ghost whaling factory town of Leith Harbour on South Georgia were wonderfully evocative.
Watch it here if you missed it:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b046pb27/britains-whale-hunters-the-untold-story-1-the-rise
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Thanks for posting this I wouldn't have known about it otherwise, a very good programme on a subject I didn't know much about.
Yes, this is why I didn't watch it. Of course it is a terrific story about some remarkably tough men but I really don't fancy being reminded of the killing of those magnificent animals.
Thanks for the link.
Same here I'm afraid.:(
I remember reading a 19th Century newspaper account of a school of whales that ended up in the local loch. There was no thought of rescue, lots of people were out in their boats to catch as many as possible.
These photos i took in the summer of 2007 when i toured the Outer Hebrides. Deserted beaches even in summer are not uncommon.....the water may look almost tropical in colour.....but it's freezing cold!!
Whaling Station.
Hushinish beach.
Thanks for sharing those pics, stunning! Lucky you to have toured round the Outer Hebrides, I've wanted to go for ages, but never made it. I wouldn't mind the cold just to see the gorgeous scenery and wildlife, and I'd prefer it to be devoid of other people.
Although there were some very shocking and distressing scenes in the documentary last night, I made a point of watching it, as I really did not know about Britian's part in Whale Hunting. It was on an industrial scale in South Georgia - a name I'd only heard of since the Falkland's War. The figures were astronomical - the Humpback Whale population reduced by thousands in the space of a couple of years, and how on earth did they catch Blue Whales?
One of the saddest sights for me last night was the Elephant Seal Pup, whose terrified and confused eyes looked on as it's Mother was shot in the head and lay dead bleeding right next to it.
I will watch part 2 as these things need to be brought to light, so we stop other species, like the Right Whale, from becoming extinct.
I took some on the West side of Harris some years ago, could easily have been the Mediterranean.
Islanders lead a very separate life to mainlanders....not just geographically speaking but the way of life. They are very religious people and you will find very few shops open on a Sunday....which suited me fine.
I spotted this unusual sign the likes of which you would never see anywhere else in the UK. Note the words on the bottom, "Please Respect The Sabbath". It was on a gate to a little park with a few childrens swings and a playground area. The gate was locked.
It was Sunday!
Can you imagine that on mainland UK? The sign would have been ripped off, trashed and kids would barge in with zero respect. Doesn't happen on the Hebrides.
And as you can see here they value their wildlife!
Also many of these lovely chaps who wander freely around.....often by the roadside or ambling across. They are very calm and relaxed but this 'family' had a young calf so i didn't go too close!
Yes the water is crystal clear and beautiful aquamarine with white sandy beaches. I did get as far as a 'foot paddle'......but that was enough for me!
It wasn't until i eventually made my way down to Barra that i found the religious faith changes from predominantly Protestant in the North (Lewis, Harris etc) to Roman Catholic in the south at Barra.
That 99% of the shops shut down on Sundays didn't bother me at all. In fact i was glad of it! It reminded me of how it used to be on the mainland before it all went to 7 day trading with the result that the roads now get clogged up with bored DIY/Supermarket day trippers with nothing better to do.
I'm mystified why people get so emotional about whales been killed/butchered in particular vs other animals.
Watched the program didn't find it distressing.
Like in the Complainers thread Prince, you either get it you don't. You either feel empathy for a graceful and intelligent animal being senselessly slaughtered in its natural environment or you don't.
I was deeply upset seeing a Mahogany tree cut down in "I bought a rainforest" the other week. You just see wood though.
I absolutely love your photos!
Thanks for that link. I'm glad to see a photo of a Fur Seal back on South Georgia, as they'd all been killed decades earlier.
When on Harris i spoke with a chap who did boat trips out to St Kilda. It's not cheap but thought to myself 'i might not get another chance'. He took my mobile number and said he'd let me know as trips are entirely subject to weather conditions which are very changeable.
Unfortunately the only day i could go, the weather was too bad and he'd had to cancel all bookings so i never got to see the place.
This is the guy i contacted (i see the cost is now £190..:o..7 years ago it was £140!
http://www.kildacruises.co.uk/
Here is more about this fascinating place;
http://www.kilda.org.uk/
For me, it is the senseless of it. I'm fine with killing cows for meat; there are plenty of them and most of the animal is used. Killing whales for something as mundane as oil seems crazy; you don't unravel the Bayeux Tapestry to get a ball of twine.
However it's a 2hr 45min journey.