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Helen Skelton is exploring the rugged north coast of Aberdeenshire where a string of fishing villages cling precariously to the cliffs. She meets local resident Billy to find out about what life is like on the rugged north coast and the history of his village, Crovie, which is set mere footsteps from the sea. After visiting the village’s ‘North Pole’ she heads just around the bay to Gardenstown, where Eleanor Hepburn explains the lesser known role women played in the history of these villages and how one night in 1953 a storm nearly wiped the communities out altogether. 

Joe Crowley is in central Aberdeenshire on the trail of the elusive Scottish Wildcat, the UK’s most endangered mammal. He meets Dr Roo Campbell to discuss the threats they face. Joe also helps Philippa Murphy from the Forestry Commission create a den, cosy enough to entice the wildcats in and keep them safe. But will Joe actually get to see one of these rare cats for himself?

Tom Heap is on the farm with Steve Clayton, a tenant farmer in Herefordshire, but the council like many others across the country are selling his farm and he could have to sell up his stock and move on. It’s an increasingly common story as cash strapped authorities take advantage of the rising price of agricultural land to fill financial holes in their budgets. But when Tom travels to Staffordshire he discovers the council there has slightly different ideas.   

Nestled between the dramatic peaks in the West and the rugged shores in the East, the lowlands of Aberdeenshire are famed for their cereal crops. However one farmer is bucking the trend and gearing up for one of his busiest times of the year. Sean Fletcher meets Craig Michie and his family who spend eight months of the year rearing Bronze turkeys. Fed on the best of Aberdeenshire’s crop and guarded by two unusual companions the turkeys have become a favourite at the farm shop down the road. This film was made before the announcement of new restrictions on keeping poultry indoors in response to the threat of bird flu.

Scenes from Aberdeenshire’s traditional coastal villages have been captured in minute detail by local artist Bryan Angus. Helen joins him at the harbour to find out how the people and places along this picturesque coastline have inspired his work. Back in the warmth of his studio Helen tries her hand at converting a photograph of the village into a magnificent lino print. As she discovers, attention to detail is key.

With so many sheep and cattle on the farm, Adam relies on sheepdogs to help him in his every day life. One in particular, Peg, is an especially brilliant working dog. The problem is Adam! As good as he is with sheepdogs, he needs to get up to her standard because Peg's previous owner was an award winning shepherd. So Adam travels to meet another champion, 2016 Countryfile One Man and His Dog winner Dick Roper, to brush up on his skills. But will Adam and Peg make a top class team? 

Helen is finding out how locals are not only helping preserve the heritage of Aberdeenshire’s Northern coastline but also the marine species that are so intimately tied to its history. She joins Iain West whose family have been catching lobster, crab and mackerel along these shores for generations. Today’s catch however is something a bit different and as Helen finds out, it’s destined for an unusual home. At MacDuff Marine Aquarium staff are working hard to promote, conserve and protect the marine wildlife of the local area.  Helen joins aquarium manager Claire Matthews who is getting ready to feed some of their most spectacular residents.