Susan Calman’s Grand Day Out: South Queensferry coast (Channel 5 Friday 16 June 2023)

Susan Calman’s Grand Day Out: South Queensferry coast airs Friday 16 June 2023 on Channel 5

Susan reflects on the joys of her many trips to the countryside, including a visit to Hopetoun House, widely considered to be Scotland’s finest stately home.

Located on the coast of South Queensferry, with a view of the Forth Bridges, is Hopetoun House. Susan gets to experience the country house firsthand, from the indoors to the outdoors.

Susan appreciates a posh drawing room the way it was meant to be appreciated: by parading around the room’s perimeter so that the artwork displayed on its French red silk-lined walls can be seen in all its glory. However, she also finds that the ornate ceiling is best appreciated from a floor position.

Susan is put to work making butter with paddles by Fiona, who explains the duties of a country house maid in days gone by. Susan is concerned about getting this correct, but she is unsure if she will be satisfied with the outcome.

Then, she assists with the crucial task of caring for the ponds in the beautiful landscaped gardens. Ladders need to be placed in strategic locations around the mansion so that baby toads can climb out of the pool without drowning. In retrospect, she realises it was probably one of the best jobs she’s ever had.

In the midst of it all, Susan compiles a collection of Grand Days Out to reflect on the fantastic countryside trips she has taken. Her travels with Helen have never failed to bring her happiness, whether they’ve taken her to the Eden Project or to a sunny Dartmoor and whether they’ve had her walking alpacas or racing down hills after cheese.

Season 5 Episode 6

Susan Calman hits the road in a vintage campervan to discover some of Britain’s most scenically stunning road trips. Taking in the Lake District, Devon and Cornwall, Wales, Yorkshire, the Cotswolds and her native Scotland, Susan explores the breathtakingly beautiful, quintessentially British places and meet some amazing characters along the way.

Susan Calman’s Grand Day Out: South Queensferry coast airs Friday 16 June 2023 at 20:00 on Channel 5

Featured image credit: Channel 5