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00:00All right, all right, all right, all right, all right, all right.
00:02Four sets of holiday hosts.
00:04I wonder if any previous owners are there.
00:07Check in to each other's places.
00:09How you doing? Good morning.
00:10Welcome to Finna Village.
00:11And get to grips with one another.
00:14You scored us three, four facilities,
00:16which we found heartbreaking, to be honest.
00:20Today, views are aired.
00:22Wow, this is a viewer look.
00:25Absolutely.
00:26Beautiful Volket.
00:27As they battle.
00:28I'd be interested to see what your breakfast is like.
00:30We go for everything free-range, as much as possible.
00:34The advantage that we have our own chickens.
00:36To be named best value for money.
00:38Woke up in the middle of the night to the radiator pumping out heat.
00:42I switched them all off at the wall.
00:51The first visit of the week is to Falkirk in the Forth Valley
00:54and The Courtyard.
00:56Owned by Melissa Harrison, ably assisted by mum Fiona Livingstone.
01:01A pair who mean business.
01:04My friends would probably describe me as very passionate about what I do.
01:07Hard working.
01:08Oh, Melissa's definitely got a talent for business.
01:10I know when she is that millionaire, mummy's going to be well looked after.
01:15Oh dear.
01:17Guests looking to keep mum can choose from one of six rooms for up to £110 a night,
01:23plus an extra charge for breakfast, and meet hosts who aren't kidding around.
01:28The Courtyard is a family-friendly pub in the centre of Falkirk.
01:32The rooms are very modern and fresh.
01:34We also have a communal kitchen which you can obtain fresh milk from.
01:38So the guests feel at home and they're not missing any comforts.
01:42And when it comes to the night's kip, this duo won't be losing any sleep.
01:47The beds are probably a bit more high-end than they should be for rooms above a pub.
01:52Like marshmallows when you sink into them.
01:54I went up the other week there and lay in one of the beds for about 20 minutes.
01:57That's right.
01:58You just wanted to skive, that's what you wanted to do.
02:00About to arrive are today's first guests.
02:04I'm really looking forward to this.
02:06Are you nervous or...?
02:07No, actually not. I thought I would be, but I am very excited to be honest.
02:12Bubbling with enthusiasm are Cliff and Monica Clarke,
02:16owners of Finn Village in Croftemy near Loch Lomond.
02:20A couple who get into the spirit of things.
02:23For the recent years we realised that our bodies are only an extension of our real soul.
02:30We always try to meditate.
02:32It brings you to the present moment.
02:34Stop putting yourself somewhere else when you're here.
02:38Because you're only here now.
02:40Guests looking for a present can find a range of accommodation including B&B rooms
02:46and a glamping pod for up to £320 a night.
02:50And the hosts think they have the full package.
02:53We try to accommodate and give as much to the guests as possible to make their stay very comfortable.
02:59So we give them good outside area space.
03:01Each accommodation comes with a hot tub, private hot tub.
03:05We also have games room in our bed and breakfast.
03:09The most important thing in Finn Village is not only about accommodation but also about fun.
03:14And when this pair get a break, they're looking to chill.
03:18We never book accommodation where there is no fridge.
03:22It's important that you can store your drinks or milk or whatever.
03:26There must be a fridge.
03:28Oh, carry one with me.
03:33It looks very big.
03:35Spacious.
03:36Spacious, yeah.
03:36Mm-hmm.
03:37All right, let's get in.
03:38Good morning.
03:39Good morning.
03:40Welcome to the courtyard.
03:41My name's Melissa.
03:42And my name's Fiona.
03:43My name is Monica.
03:45And I'm Clifford.
03:46Nice to meet you.
03:46Nice to meet you.
03:47Tonight you're staying in room number six.
03:49The price of your room is £110 per night, excluding breakfast.
03:52Breakfast is available for £10 per person or you can choose from an individually priced menu.
03:57This is your room key. Enjoy your stay.
03:59Thank you very much.
04:00We're looking forward to it.
04:01Oh, thank you.
04:04So what do you feel about the energy in this room?
04:07I think it's very positive.
04:09With Monica and Cliff charged up, the next guests have square eyes.
04:14Did you watch TV last night?
04:15I'm just going to bed.
04:17What's Batman?
04:18What's Batman?
04:20I'm as happy as Larry.
04:22I got a cup of tea, a couple of biscuits and put Batman on.
04:25Ready for action are John and Andrew Picken, owners of Domes by the Sea in Kirkabree in Dumfries and Galloway.
04:33Brothers who think they're the cream of the crop.
04:36We're both farmers by trade.
04:37They have been our whole lives.
04:38I think the kind of view on farmers is that most farmers are old or just quite miserable.
04:45We don't fit that mould.
04:46We are farmers but we're also lots of other different things as well.
04:50Those looking for a grain of truth can choose one of three glamping domes for up to £250 a night
04:57that offer an all-round good stay.
05:00So with the domes, it's the kind of hybrid between camping and staying in a luxury hotel.
05:04We feel you get the same sort of reconnecting with nature but you've got all the luxuries of log burners,
05:10you've got couches, comfy beds.
05:12And when the farmers stay away, it's counting sheep that counts.
05:17For me, a good bed is a comfy bed.
05:19If you have a bad night's sleep, you're just grumpy and tired and you just don't enjoy what you're doing.
05:23Good morning.
05:24How are we doing?
05:24Welcome to the courtyard.
05:26My name's Melissa.
05:27And my name's Fiona.
05:28I'm John.
05:29I'm Andrew.
05:29Tonight you're staying in room number one.
05:31The price of your room is £110 per night.
05:34Thank you very much.
05:34Your room key.
05:35Enjoy your stay.
05:38Oh, I like it.
05:40It looks very, very clean which I like.
05:42Yeah.
05:42With John and Andrew digging their digs, today's final guest is on the lookout.
05:48Oh, wow.
05:49Look at the view.
05:50You don't get a view like that in Penrith.
05:52Loving the landscape is Sue Grundy, owner of Brooklyn's guest house in Penrith, Cumbria.
05:58A host who's up to speed.
06:00I'm always rushing around like a whirling dervish.
06:03I've only got two speeds and that's 100 mile an hour and stop.
06:06I don't even know what a whirling dervish is.
06:09I think I just made it up.
06:10Guests looking to have a word.
06:12Can choose from one of eight rooms for up to £154 a night.
06:17And for Sue, home is where the heart is.
06:20I love the house.
06:22It's full of charm and it's got beautiful Victorian cornices and Corvian and big lovely mirrors.
06:30And yeah, I love it.
06:31And when visiting the competition, Sue will be firmly fair.
06:35I think I'm honest.
06:37You know, I'm not going to pick little stupid things.
06:41Criticism isn't a bad thing as long as it's constructive.
06:45Good morning.
06:46Morning.
06:47Welcome to the courtyard.
06:48My name's Melissa.
06:49And my name's Fiona.
06:50And I'm Sue.
06:51Tonight you're staying in room number four.
06:53Your room is £110 per night.
06:55Here's your key.
06:55Lovely.
06:56Enjoy your stay.
06:57Bye.
06:59Oh, nice and fresh and everything looks new.
07:02With the house out of the way, the guests can hold court at the courtyard.
07:08Looks clean.
07:09It smells clean.
07:09It's...
07:10Yeah, I like it.
07:12Oh, my God.
07:13It's comfortable, baby.
07:15I'm not getting up.
07:17It's difficult with it being a small room to have somewhere to put the wardrobe.
07:20But you've got to make the use of the space that you've got.
07:22So, you know, you've only got to have a few things.
07:25It's fine.
07:27It's pretty spotless.
07:29There's a kitchen as well.
07:30And a wee coffee station over there.
07:32That's good.
07:33One of the things we like to have is...
07:35A fridge.
07:37And...
07:37And there is no fridge here, sadly.
07:39Yes.
07:40There is wee bits of dirt kind of kicking about.
07:44Oh, look at that.
07:45Looks absolutely perfect.
07:46Looks like brand new.
07:48I think that's the sanding dust, the way it's been freshly done, decorated.
07:54Ooh!
07:55Oh, this is nice.
07:56Oh, I love the tiles.
07:58Kitchen.
07:59Kitchen.
07:59Kitchen.
08:00That's something unexpected.
08:02We've got a fridge.
08:03Not in the room, but there is a fridge.
08:05At my place, I've got all the sockets and the aerial socket behind the TV.
08:11So, yeah, this is a little bit ugly.
08:13It's got all the essentials.
08:15Yeah, hairdryer.
08:16Luggage holder.
08:17Tea.
08:18It's perfect room for one night's day.
08:20Oh, it's a nice bathroom.
08:21I like it.
08:22It looks very clean as well, which is good.
08:25Room inspections almost over.
08:27Sue has eyes on the prize.
08:29Oh, I'm not sure if I can see the winner's plaque out there.
08:33John and Andrew muck in.
08:35Very clean.
08:36Nice skid marks, that's good.
08:39And Cliff and Monica find calm before the storm.
08:43Let's test it for meditating.
08:44Yes.
08:45Mm-hmm.
08:52Falkirk is home to the largest equine statues in the world.
08:56Named the Kelpies after shape-shifting water spirits.
09:00But today's hosts, Melissa and Fiona, hope they're on solid ground with a trip on the famous Falkirk wheel.
09:07From what I heard, it's the most popular attraction in Falkirk.
09:11So, very happy to be here and experience that.
09:13Yeah, take pie now.
09:15The Falkirk wheel is the first and only rotating boat lift in the world.
09:20And taking the guests for a spin...
09:22Well, good afternoon, everyone, and welcome.
09:25...is guide Nicole.
09:26What we'll be doing today is we'll be entering the Falkirk wheel, the lower gondola.
09:32It's like a bathtub.
09:34And then the wheel will rotate 180 degrees vertically.
09:38Now, the purpose is to connect the Union Canal above with the Fourth and Clyde Canal below.
09:45In the 1930s, the series of 11 locks that used to connect the canals fell into disrepair.
09:54So, fast forward to the turn of the millennium, the Falkirk wheel was born.
09:59I think it's a pretty impressive feat of engineering.
10:01I think it's a good way to spend a day and something worth seeing when you come to Falkirk.
10:06Mechanism admired, the boat boards the wheel and spirits are lifted.
10:11We're moving.
10:13That's the wheel starting to turn now.
10:15Yay!
10:17Actually, you don't really feel anything.
10:19No, you don't.
10:21I've read the power that it used to boil eight kettles to rotate it up here, which is absolutely
10:25amazing, the size of the thing, isn't it?
10:27It was an ingenious idea in terms of how they've done it.
10:31Is this what everyone expected?
10:33I don't really know what I expected, to be fair.
10:35I kind of came here with no idea what it was.
10:38I'm still not quite sure what's going on, but...
10:41I think John and Andrew are just lovely, they just seem like really nice down-to-earth guys.
10:45They're up for a bit of a laugh.
10:47Absolutely.
10:47They're nice lads.
10:49Once at the top of the wheel...
10:51Wow, this is a view, look.
10:54Absolutely.
10:55Beautiful Falkirk.
10:56...the boat traverses an aqueduct and enters Rough Castle Tunnel.
11:01The tunnel's all lit off.
11:03Which cuts underneath the Antonine Wall, the most northern point of the Roman Empire.
11:08But for Andrew, all roads lead to Birmingham.
11:12That's a Brummie accent.
11:14It's amazing.
11:15What brought you to Falkirk?
11:16Love.
11:17Fair enough.
11:18I came off on holiday and fell in love with Melissa's dad.
11:22And I was only 15 at the time, and still at school.
11:25We used to write to each other every day, you've no idea the men liked it.
11:29I love Melissa.
11:30The rest is history.
11:31Absolutely.
11:32Yeah, Falkirk's been good to me.
11:34Now you're on your third generation, because we've got kids as well.
11:38Yeah, yeah, yeah.
11:39A dynasty is being formed.
11:42The hosts are lovely.
11:43They're very talkative, very chatty, and very warm and friendly, which is what I like.
11:48At the end of its journey, the boat does a U-turn and heads back for a final spin of
11:54the wheel.
11:55Has everybody enjoyed the trip up the wheel?
11:58I would definitely recommend it to my family members when they come up.
12:01And for Cliff and Monica, they hope their luck's in.
12:05I actually feel very good energy within the group so far.
12:08Everyone seems to be getting on very well.
12:12Good vibes.
12:19The first visit of the week is to Falkirk in the Forth Valley, and the Courtyard, where
12:25tonight, hosts Melissa and Fiona have invited their guests outside for a drink.
12:30Cheers, everybody.
12:31Cheers.
12:32And with bottoms up, Sue wants the lowdown.
12:35Do you want to tell us a little bit about how you got to this place then, and what's your
12:38background?
12:39So, I started off years ago, left school, eventually went on to study hospitality management, done an HND in hospitality
12:48management.
12:48Melissa and I were at college together, both of us were doing an HND.
12:52I'm not going to mention I graduated student of the year, and you didn't.
12:56Oh!
12:57But I will.
12:59I had a really good lecturer when I was at college.
13:01She happens to be a quality controller for some big fancy hotel and things like that.
13:06So, her and I had many a conversation.
13:09And I truly believe you can smell dust.
13:12It's got a unique smell, you know, something that hasn't been dusted.
13:16Oh, yeah.
13:16I agree.
13:17You can smell it, you can smell it.
13:18Do you agree?
13:19I know, absolutely, yes.
13:21Eureka!
13:23I've never heard anybody being able to smell dust before.
13:26I think it should be thorough, but my place will be clean.
13:29I'm intrigued about all your backgrounds today, because I'm nosy.
13:33Before, I was in retail.
13:35My kids are grown up and have moved away, so this kind of suits me,
13:40because I like looking after people, and it brings out my mum's side.
13:45We're actually fourth generation farmers.
13:47No prior experience of anything other than dairy cows and sheep.
13:51Very good.
13:52I didn't see you as that.
13:53Models are seeing you as that.
13:54Models?
13:56We'll take that, we'll take that.
13:59John and Andrew definitely don't look like stereotype farmers.
14:03You know, not any farmers I've ever met, anyway.
14:05A little bit too clean to be farmers.
14:08As the group chew the cud, Fiona digs deep with the next hosts.
14:14I'm looking forward to visiting you.
14:17We decided to get out of London and buy a property which would allow us to run hospitality business, and
14:25that's how we ended up in Scotland.
14:28Wow, amazing.
14:28The place and the area we were just so astounded by that we thought that we cannot share this with
14:34other people.
14:35We kind of set standards, trying to provide the best that we can.
14:38We have a personal touch as well.
14:40We do interact with guests.
14:42We're around.
14:43We've sat down with our guests for breakfast.
14:46Most importantly, we want our guests to feel whole.
14:48Yeah.
14:50When we go to Monika and Cliff's house next, I know it's going to be top drawer.
14:54I think it's going to be up there.
14:57With drinks done, it's all off to bed.
15:00See what tomorrow brings.
15:01Yeah.
15:01Right.
15:02Night.
15:08The sun is up in Falkirk, and so are the guests.
15:12It was very comfortable sleep.
15:14We literally slept like logs.
15:16Yeah.
15:16But in John and Andrews, the review's lukewarm.
15:19How did you find the mattress and pillows and things?
15:22Yeah, they were good, but that radiator came on last night, which made it too hot to sleep in.
15:30Downstairs, the professional chefs are prepping breakfast.
15:33I've got full confidence in the team.
15:36Full confidence that they'll smash this the day.
15:38Absolutely.
15:39Morning, everybody.
15:40Morning.
15:41As the group takes their seats...
15:43Good morning, everyone.
15:44Good morning.
15:45...wait staff Carly is on hand.
15:47Can I have the Scottish breakfast, please?
15:50Of course.
15:50But no black pudding?
15:51Absolutely.
15:52Could I have full Scottish breakfast with no haggis, please?
15:55Of course.
15:55Could I have the sourdough smash, please?
15:58Perfect.
15:59Orders in.
16:00This is the guy's order.
16:02Very good.
16:03It's Melissa and Fiona on the menu.
16:05The hour hosts are just great.
16:07Yes, they are.
16:08Very easy to talk to.
16:09Fiona is a little doger.
16:13So bubbly, the pair of them.
16:15Yeah, they add to the whole experience quite well, so they do.
16:17I think Melissa and Fiona have done an excellent job, so it's keeping up to that standard that's going to
16:23be the key.
16:24Back in the kitchen.
16:26Thank you very much.
16:27Grubs up.
16:28Fill breakfast with no black pudding.
16:29Oh, look at that.
16:31Perfect.
16:32Thank you very much.
16:33And be smashed avocado.
16:35Enjoy.
16:36See what the eggs are like.
16:38Oh, perfect.
16:40I'll try this potato scone.
16:43Mmm.
16:44They're really nice.
16:45Nice, good sausage.
16:46Mm-hmm.
16:46Yeah, square sausage.
16:47It's nice.
16:48It's very...
16:49I don't know what the word is.
16:50Square.
16:51Square.
16:53And I love a bit of haggis.
16:55I'm a big fan of all that.
16:57It's just very well done.
16:58Good size.
16:59Yeah, my mushrooms are class and haggis is very good as well.
17:03Breakfast was lovely.
17:04I'd never had a tatty scone before, so that was nice.
17:07And a square sausage.
17:08Everything was well cooked.
17:09It all looked like quality produce.
17:11Thoroughly enjoyed it.
17:13Food mused, Sue turns the tables on the next hosts.
17:17I'd be interested to see what your breakfast's like.
17:19We haven't got as much on the plate, but we go for everything free range as much as possible.
17:24The advantage is that we have our own chickens.
17:26When we're feeding our chickens, we could eat their food.
17:29We always give fresh lettuce, fresh corn.
17:32If we buy any grains, they're organic grains.
17:34So, obviously, hopefully a little bit more flavour in the foods.
17:38Yeah.
17:39They mentioned that their chickens were free range.
17:41I'm expecting a lot of local produce.
17:43I expect them to be very, sort of, tied to where they are.
17:47I think it just means that that's a guarantee of quality.
17:51Breakfast finished.
17:52The guests head upstairs to fill out the anonymous feedback forms.
17:55How were your hosts at the courtyard?
17:58Fiona and Mel were warm and friendly, so I'd definitely give them a 10.
18:03How clean was the courtyard?
18:06From first impressions, overall, it was very clean.
18:08Upon further inspection, we did find there was some builder's dust.
18:12On the door frame?
18:13I guess on 9.
18:15I agree with you.
18:16The bedroom and bathroom, they were both immaculate.
18:18Yeah.
18:19There was some dust in the kitchen, and I didn't feel it was the same standard.
18:22So, go for a 9 for that.
18:24Yeah.
18:25How were the facilities?
18:26Good use of space.
18:28Tidy, TV cables.
18:31A 9.
18:32We had all the basics that we needed.
18:34The lack of fridge in the room was compensated by the large fridge in the kitchen downstairs.
18:40Maybe a 9.
18:41I think 9 is very fair.
18:42How did you sleep?
18:43The beds were very comfortable.
18:44Woke up in the middle of the night to the radiator pumping out heat.
18:50I'd probably go to 8 for this one.
18:52Yeah.
18:52Slept like a log.
18:54No hesitation to score 10.
18:57Yeah.
18:57How was your breakfast?
18:59It was very nice.
19:00I'm going to give it a 10.
19:01And it tasted lovely, so easy 10, yeah.
19:05The big and final question.
19:07Would you stay here again?
19:09Big yes.
19:09Yes, I would.
19:12Yeah, I feel I probably would.
19:14Yeah, I'm the same.
19:16Now the guests must pay what they think their stay was worth.
19:20Happy with that?
19:21Yeah.
19:21Really happy.
19:22The cash will be kept secret until the end of the competition.
19:26But for now, Melissa and Fiona can get the guests' verdict on the courtyard.
19:31Let's see what this feedback is.
19:33Yep.
19:33How were your hosts at the courtyard?
19:36We got a 10.
19:36Yay!
19:38They were warm and friendly.
19:40That's lovely words.
19:41How were the facilities?
19:43We got a 9.
19:44I'm happy with a 9.
19:45A good use of the space.
19:47Definitely.
19:47I think we've done a grand job.
19:49Tidy TV cables.
19:51So I think this feedback form is Sue's.
19:54It is the only room that we still need to tidy the TV cables on.
19:57I accept that.
19:58How was breakfast?
20:00And we got a 10.
20:02Yay!
20:03Super.
20:04Very nice.
20:05I'm pleased with that.
20:06That's excellent.
20:07Thanks, guys.
20:08Lovely stay.
20:08See you later, Sue.
20:09Bye-bye.
20:09Have a safe journey home.
20:11Shall we find out if she's going to come back?
20:12Yes.
20:13And it's a yes!
20:15Woohoo!
20:17Ready for the next one?
20:18Yes.
20:19Let's go.
20:19How clean was the courtyard?
20:21And we got a 9.
20:21I'm happy with that.
20:22Absolutely pleased with that.
20:24Very clean.
20:24We are.
20:25Definitely.
20:26A little bit of builders dust found on the door frame.
20:29Builders dust is completely different to dust dust.
20:32Dust dust.
20:32I'm quite happy with that because I would have smelted.
20:35You would have.
20:36How were the facilities?
20:38And we got a 9.
20:39Excellent.
20:39Which again is a great score.
20:40Superb.
20:40We're good with that.
20:41Basic facilities provided.
20:43The lack of fridge in the bedroom compensated with the fridge in the shared kitchen.
20:47There's no room in that bedroom for a fridge.
20:51How did you sleep?
20:52And we got another day.
20:53Oh, my goodness.
20:55Slept like a log.
20:56You can't get any better than that.
20:58No, you can't.
20:58Thank you very much for a lovely stay.
21:00Bye-bye.
21:00Bye, guys.
21:01Will they stay with us again?
21:03Yay!
21:04We got another yes.
21:05That's amazing.
21:06That's amazing.
21:07I'm delighted.
21:07I'm so happy.
21:08Oh, so am I.
21:09I'm delighted.
21:11Ready to do the final one?
21:13Yeah.
21:13Here we go.
21:15How clean was the courtyard?
21:17And we got a 9.
21:199's good.
21:19Yes, superb.
21:20Room and bathroom both immaculate.
21:22That's great.
21:23Superb.
21:24Good with that.
21:25Dust in the kitchen didn't feel it was the same standard.
21:28To be fair, they're probably right on that.
21:30Yeah.
21:31How did you sleep?
21:32And we got an 8.
21:33I hoped for a wee bit better.
21:35Beds very comfortable.
21:37Superb.
21:38Woo!
21:39Woke up in the middle of the night to the radiator pumping out heat.
21:43I switched them all off at the wall.
21:45How was breakfast?
21:46And we got a 10.
21:47That's amazing.
21:48Absolutely superb.
21:50Good taste.
21:50It was tasty.
21:51It was tasty.
21:52Thank you very much for a lovely stay.
21:53Bye.
21:55Here we go.
21:56Are they going to stay with us again?
21:58Yay!
21:59Woo!
21:59Woo!
22:00I was nervous.
22:01So was I.
22:02So was I.
22:03I'm so proud of that.
22:04We smashed it.
22:06We smashed it.
22:06To get a yes and to get three yeses.
22:09Absolutely.
22:10Let's go for the gents.
22:13Next time when Cliff and Monica host.
22:16Hello.
22:16Welcome to Finna Village.
22:17There's tub turmoil.
22:19I'm not a big fan of an inside hot tub.
22:21You're just in a bath inside.
22:22And hungry guests.
22:24Breakfast.
22:25Breakfast.
22:25Come on.
22:26We're just maybe testing the chickens round the…
22:53I love that.
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