Staff enjoy the TV spotlight

Jan 15 2008 Les Stewart

STAFF at one of Highland Perthshire’s top tourist attractions are fast becoming local “celebrities” themselves as the third episode of a reality television series is set to be screened on Thursday.

STV’s 12-part “Conquer the Castle” was filmed in and around Blair Castle, the magnificent centrepiece of the sprawling 145,000-acre Atholl Estates.

It follows six devoted city slickers as they take part in the ultimate life-style swap and face a crash course in Scottish country living.

With no previous experience of country life, the contestants – Glaswegian tattoo artist Dave McKinlay (35), fashion events producer Muchaneta Kapfunde (28), Essex wild child Kimberley Stevens (20), best-selling showbiz author Richard Sterling (39), hotshot London sales exec Chris Earnshaw (27) and receptionist Trudie Mallow – face a gruelling two-week stay at one of the self-catering lodges on the estate.

They are tested to their limits, both mentally and physically, while competing against each other in a series of tasks, including wilderness survival, canyoning, stag hunting and stomach-churching farm challenges.

The most successful is made King or Queen of the Castle each day. And the person who finally triumphs over country life at the end of the fortnight will “Conquer the Castle.”

Putting them through their paces are several members of the Blair Castle staff, ranging from Blair Castle head guide Sandy McGill and gamekeeper Stuart Grant, to Vicki Brogan, operator at the Blair Castle Trekking Centre, and Sean Marsh, deer ranger and forester on the Atholl Estates.

Atholl Estates general manager Andrew Bruce Wootton said: “By the end of the series, some strong bonds of friendship had formed between the contestants and also with estate staff, which broke through the urban/ country divide.

“A new and lasting mutual respect had also grown out of the shared experiences, which I hope viewers will notice as they watch the series.”

The stunning scenery around the estate and Blair Castle provide a magnificent backdrop to the series – and there are also many other spectacular locations, including the Edradour Distillery, the Hilton Dunkeld House, the Game Fair at Scone Palace, the River Tummel and the Falls of Bruar.

Tourism chiefs are predicting a tourism boost for the Highland Perthshire area over the coming months as a direct result of the publicity generated by the series.

James Lakie, of VisitScotland, said yesterday: “The Conquer the Castle series will undoubtedly have a positive impact on tourism in Highland Perthshire by highlighting some of the Big County’s top areas to visit.

“The show is done in a fun and relaxed way, which is exactly how a trip to Perthshire should be.

“Hopefully the coverage received will entice viewers to consider a trip to the area.

“Past experiences of series such as Monarch of the Glen have shown that tourism can experience major boosts due to the popularity of such programmes.

“So we are hoping that this ‘money can’t buy advertising’ will have the same effect and spin-off benefits for Highland Perthshire.”

The series can be seen each Thursday at 7.30pm on STV until the final on March 20.

It is also being screened on the Sky Real Lives Channel 253 every Sunday until April 20.