Thursday 8 September 2011

Oliver discovers his own Scottish island paradise

Television historian fronts new VisitScotland campaign

That cheery, laid back never too intense TV celebrity Neil Oliver is urging people to explore some of Scotland’s 700-plus islands.

But having been going through some of my old archives and listening some old eighties rock stuff the question I want answered is whether Neil Oliver (picture here on the right we think) has ever been seen in the same room as Stevie Doherty former guitarist and vocalist with Glasgow rock band of the eighties Zero Zero (Mr Doherty has also done a numberof other things inclduing fronting the Sensational Alex Harvey Band.)

Everytime I see Mr Intense Oliver on screen I think that perhaps they were separated at birth or that the TV career is the reason that Stevie D has not played in Scotland for a number of years? Can anyone verify that the DNA is the same? Or at least the mullet?

Anyway, the historian or guitar vocalist, is fronting a new VisitScotland campaign in connection with the Year of Scotland’s Islands, and was speaking during a trip to the Italian Chapel on Orkney.

Mr Oliver, star of BBC television series such as Coast and A History of Scotland, (and also perhaps the writer of such great rock tracks Heroes Live Forever and Rock Me (Rock All Night)) said the iconic chapel was only one example of the country’s unique offshore locations. 

Mr Oliver, who provides the voiceover (in the key of A) for VisitScotland’s new Surprise Yourself television adverts, said: “Scotland has some of the most amazing islands on earth - historically intriguing, boasting outstanding natural beauty and filled with stunning wildlife. There is so much to see and so much to explore, from uncovering Skara Brae, the Neolithic village on Orkney, to whale watching on Shetland, or taking in the magical Faerie Glen on Skye.

You can see him (or Mr Doherty if they are not one and the same) in the eighties video for Rock Me below.



Mr Doherty was unavaible for comment but he can be seen performing live in England and you can catch up with him and ask him if he knows bugger all about history on his Music Facebook page

Mike Cantlay, Chairman of VisitScotland, said: “Television programmes such as Coast and An Island Parish have helped boost interest in Scotland’s islands, and our Surprising Island Trails will show visitors that there are so many more wonderful things for them to discover."

He then didn't go on to state that he looked forward to a reunion of Zero Zero and perhaps a support tour with Strangeways later in the year. Such activities he though (but didn't enunciate) work wonders for Scottish tourism and he felt that they could even do the soundtrack for Brave if he could be a backing vocalist

The Year of Scotland’s Islands runs until April 2012 and features more than 100 events.

Zero Zero will return...

1 comment:

Stevie Doherty said...

...my secret identity revealed at last.........:)