Presenting - it's more difficult than you would imagine

The past couple of days have been the start of a steep learning curve for me as I attempted to turn my hand to presenting for the BBC. Landward kindly asked if I would present a piece on the origin and meaning of Scottish hill names for them over the next couple of weeks. But I couldn’t help but wonder as I drove home after the first couple of days filming if they were sitting in their own car crying, “What have we done?” Dave and I have been interviewed a few times, both on and off the camera and I now realise it’s amazing how comfortable I had become answering what are usually really rather personal questions about myself and my relationship with my husband. It’s a different kettle of fish when the tables are turned and it’s you asking the questions, thank goodness then for Peter Drummond, the author of Scottish Hill Names who was very patient with this first time interviewer. Lashing rain meant we had to head indoors to the Clachaig for filming on the first day which was a shame as it would have been good to head out into Glen Coe with Peter - what this man doesn’t know about hill names isn’t, as the saying goes, worth knowing.

Day two was spent getting to know Schiehallion a little better. David Williamson, the cameraman, shouldered the camera and tripod and charged off up the path with the producer not far behind him, with me bringing up the rear, some way off. Did nobody tell them I was as slow as the proverbial week in the jail? Oh dear, it looks like I might have to get somewhat fitter over the next few weeks as I have a fair few mountains left to climb.

The first instalment should be going out this Friday at 7pm, BBC2.

Don’t laugh.