A project which supports people with learning difficulties has been hailed “a hidden gem” by celebrity chefs.
The Hairy Bikers, Dave Myers and Si King, recently toured Dumfries and Galloway filming an episode of their new TV show.
The episode of The Hairy Bikers Go West will be shown on BBC 2 next week and includes a visit to Loch Arthur Camphill Community at Beeswing.
Si said: “It fundamentally gives people a chance with learning difficulties to have a normal and functional life of contribution to their society.
“What a hidden gem that is, everything that the residents produce there is just off the scale, the cheese, the dairy, it’s just wonderful and such a beautiful thing.
(Image: BBC/South Shore Productions/Jon Boast)
“As a series it’s exactly that, we have a great team and the narratives and storylines that weave its way through the series both generally and specifically are amazing, we’re very proud of it.”
The Hairy Bikers Go West sees Dave – who was receiving cancer treatment during filming – and Si travel down the west coast of the UK, experiencing all the culinary delights it has to offer.
Dumfries and Galloway will feature in the second episode, due to be shown at 7pm on BBC 2 on Wednesday, February 13.
Their trip takes them to Galloway Scottish Pasta – Si describing their bucatini as “beautifully done” – and to Port William for lobster, as well as Castle Douglas and to Karen and James Baird at Potterland Smokery near Palnackie for some smoked lamb.
(Image: BBC/South Shore Productions/Jon Boast)
Karen said: “The bikers and their whole production team were really lovely. We filmed on the hottest day of the year recorded in June last year, which was an experience for us all as we were stood filming next to our hand built smoker explaining the process of how we started smoking our lamb.
“Dave, who was undergoing treatment at the time they were filming, was clearly really pleased to be out and about filming and seeing our beautiful countryside rather than being stuck in a hospital.
“Both the bikers were really encouraging about our product and so supportive of small local producers and the hidden sights of Dumfries and Galloway. It was really good to meet and film with them.”
Other stops include Loch Arthur, The Little Bakery in Dumfries – producers of award-winning Scotch Pies – and The Globe Inn, also in Dumfries, which was a favourite haunt of Robert Burns.
