This item on the Tay Descent, featuring Society member and BBC presenter Charlie Quinnell, appeared on BBC Alba's Gaelic news programme, An Là. The English transcript is below the video

The Tay Descent has been held on the River Tay for five years. A 24 mile course, over some dangerous and difficult stretches of water. This year, Charlie Quinnell is attempting it, in a coracle he built himself. A coracle is a small, light boat, made of wood and a cow skin. This is the first time someone has attempted the whole course in one of them. Charlie built the boat himself, and he wants to prove that a coracle is up to the job. 

 

Starting at Dunkeld, he has to go through many dangerous parts of the river, before reaching the finish line in Perth. Accompanying him are Jane and Derry Wilkinson, who also build coracles, and will be doing the course with him in a canoe.

 

(Interview of Jane and Derry Wilkinson in English.)

 

Starting in Dunkeld, the coracle negotiated dangers such as Campsie Linn, Hellhole Corner, and Thistlebrig Rapid, before arriving in Perth. In its way were rapids, strong headwinds, and the other canoes. But at the finish, there were many people pleased to see the coracle. 

 

(Interview of Dave Purvis in English.)

 

Charlie crossed the finish line almost eight hours after starting. Very tired, but very happy too.

 

Interview of Charlie Quinnell in Gaelic:

 

"I'm absolutely knackered, and I can't believe that I did that. But I did it. And I didn't fall out at all. I'm dry. I'm glad it's over. I didn't sink, I didn't capsize, and I managed to tackle the lot, so I'm just very very happy."

 

Piece to camera, Stephen MacLeòid:

 

"Some thought it couldn't be done in a coracle, and that the course was far too difficult for it. But in the end, it got through the Tay Descent. Stephen MacLeòid, BBC An Là, Dunkeld.