Home   News   Article

BBC Scotland boss to hold talks with Newtonmore producers of axed The Adventure Show





The gruelling Strathpuffer is just one of many Highlands events to feature in the series.
The gruelling Strathpuffer is just one of many Highlands events to feature in the series.

BBC Scotland bosses are to meet with the Newtonmore-based production team behind The Adventure Show to explore ideas for future shows, it has emerged.

Supporters of the long running series which showcases minority TV outdoors sports - but ones which have huge participation numbers - are furious with the decision by Beeb executives.

The award-winning team of Richard Else and Meg Wicks based on Old Glen Road are behind the show which has run for 19 years.

Related article:

As things stand, the last show was aired in September and featured the Sprint World Orienteering Championships held in Edinburgh.

BBC Scotland confirmed last month the series will not be returning to Scottish screens blaming ‘changing audience habits and pressure on budgets’.

Strathspey MSP Fergus Ewing (SNP) has picked up the cudgels and made representations to the boss of BBC Scotland urging for a rethink.

He said: “There are many who live within the strath and indeed the Highlands who work in the adventure sector.

“First of all this programme provides a great show case for adventure sports of many types. It showed many people that anyone can do them if they wish and make an effort.

“It, without a shadow of doubt, encouraged people to get off the sofa and into the country.

“That stimulus should surely be taken very seriously particularly when there are frankly so many shows on TV which are mindless, bland and serve no such purpose whatsoever.

“If they were not re-commissioned few would mourn their passing.

Strathspey MSP Fergus Ewing is urging BBC Scotland to review the decision.
Strathspey MSP Fergus Ewing is urging BBC Scotland to review the decision.

“Secondly, as having been Scotland’s longest serving minister of tourism, I know that these programmes provide a marvellous shop window for Scotland as a tourism destination.

“This is incredibly important and influential. The impact of the programmes in encouraging visitors to Scotland will be lost forever.

“This would be a tremendous shame and a palatable failure by the BBC to promote our tourism - by some measures - our most important industry.

“Third, it provides a real boost for the many, many small businesses - often one person self-employed people - instructors, guides photographers, sportsmen and women and so on - in numerous ways. This will be lost and not replaced.

“It takes a big person and equally a big organisation to say: ‘No we got that wrong’.

Mr Ewing added: “If Strathy readers share these concerns and contact me I can ensure that these views are passed on to the BBC.

“In the event that there are significant numbers of constituents concerned then I can also ask Angus Robertson the Cabinet Secretary responsible for arts media and culture to take up the cudgels and stand up for the adventure sector.”

Correspondence seen by the Strathy from Louise Thornton, BBC Scotland’s Head of Commissioning, to Mr Ewing states: “I am still very keen that BBC Scotland continues to cover the outdoors and tourism across our nation, and I am meeting with the independent production company which made The Adventure Show in the New Year to hear their further ideas for potential future projects.

“It is also worth noting of course that The Adventure Show did not represent the totality of our output in this field.

“We regularly cover similar stories in our news and current affairs content, in English and Gaelic, including of course from journalists and programme-makers based in your constituency at BBC Inverness.”

She added: “I do genuinely appreciate all of the interest in The Adventure Show from viewers and the work of the production team over the years, and please know that all the feedback we’ve received about the programme has been considered very carefully.

“I will continue to commission content about the outdoors in Scotland, while ensuring that this is delivered where BBC Scotland’s audience now expects it, and will continue my dialogue with the independent production sector in this regard to ensure we back the best new ideas to ensure this content reaches our audiences of the future.”

Mr Else told the Strathy: “The Adventure Show team have been hugely appreciative of all the kind comments about the programme and pleased that it gained such an important place in the outdoors community.

“It’s wonderful to know how valued the show is and the last 19 years have been a fantastic opportunity to bring outdoor adventure to a big audience.’


Do you want to respond to this article? If so, click here to submit your thoughts and they may be published in print.



This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies - Learn More