New ninth series of Our Lives commissioned with 12 episodes airing on BBC One and BBC iPlayer
BBC One's celebrated Our Lives returns for its ninth series – and will showcase daredevil wingwalking in England, the World Haggis Championships in Scotland, the UK's first-ever 'Dark Sky Officer' in Wales, and rowers from Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland attempting to break a Guinness World Record.
Celebrating home-grown storytelling from across the UK, Our Lives continues to reflect the diversity and vibrance of British life, by telling extraordinary stories from ordinary people across all four nations.
England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland will each have three episodes broadcasting on BBC One and BBC iPlayer from Monday 14 July.
Rhuanedd Richards, the BBC's Acting Director of Nations, says: 'Our Lives is a fantastic celebration of people's resilience, passion, and determination, living in extraordinary ways across the UK.
'Telling these unique stories from Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and England, showcases how remarkable and authentic life across these islands really is, and how communities are brought together by amazing ways of living.'
Watch Our Lives on BBC iPlayer and add to your Watchlist
Wales
Guardian of the Night
Cwmni Da
Holding the job title of the first Dark Sky Officer in the UK, Dani Robertson joins forces with communities across Wales, in a bid to tackle light pollution. She reveals how Ynys Enlli's status as the first Dark Sky Sanctuary in Europe has helped save an entire ecosystem.
The Prisoner of Portmeirion
Media Atom
Adorned with Italianate features, the Welsh village of Portmeirion was the creation of eccentric architect, Clough Williams-Ellis – and was the backdrop for the cult classic 1960s sci-fi TV series 'The Prisoner'. Now, thousands of die-hard fans from around the world gather annually to keep its legacy alive.
Dolphin Town
Carlam
New Quay has the title of the Dolphin Capital of the UK. However, the population of bottlenose dolphins has been declining for a decade. Now, the community rallies together to protect these marine creatures and their livelihoods.
Northern Ireland
The Social Knitwork
Waddell Media
Northern Irish fashion designer Hope Macaulay and a team of home knitters gear up to open their first ever shop in Los Angeles. Will this handmade label make it in Hollywood?
Row Hard or Row Home: Around Ireland in 32 Days
Clean Slate Films
The attempt by a crew of four from Belfast and Wexford to row around Ireland. Their dream is to enter the Guinness Book of World Records but to do so, they must complete their journey without a support boat and not being able to set foot on shore.
High Stakes
Triplevision Films
Rope access crews take on the jobs no one else can—scaling cliffs, towers and ships across Northern Ireland. High stakes, big heights, and serious skill.
England
The Ultimate Wingwalker
Wander Films
Kirsten is a wingwalker with the world's only formation wingwalking display team. 3 years ago, she and pilot Dave narrowly escaped death when their aircraft was forced to ditch into the sea in front of thousands of spectators. This year they will perform a new move that is more daring and difficult than anything they've ever done before.
The World's Oldest Railway
Chalk Productions
At 300 years old Tanfield Railway in Northumberland is the oldest railway in the world. Now the tireless volunteers who saved it are preparing for a fitting celebration for the whole community. They're against the clock to complete specially restored engines and organise a show like no other.
The Film I'll Never See
Signpost Films
Father and poet Dave Steele captures the profound experience of losing the last of his sight with help of film maker and friend Matt Hopkins. In this moving but ultimately uplifting story, Dave gives a unique insight into his world.
Scotland
Haggis! The World Championships
Tern
70-80 of the finest and proudest butchers from all across Scotland – along with a few Sassenach invaders - will submit their efforts in an attempt to become the second ever world haggis champion.
Downhill Highs
Caledonia TV
Climbing all of Scotland's Munros (mountains over 3,000 feet high) isn't a big enough adrenalin buzz for Sean Green – he carries his bike up the peaks with him so he can mountain bike back down. Now, we follow Sean as he completes his epic challenge – on the iconic and dramatic mountains of Skye and Glencoe.
Scotland's Female Fishermen?
Specky
A new generation of women are calling themselves fishermen in Scotland, as Emma (19), Erin (20), and Isla (16) embark on a fishing trip in the spring season.
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