The Great Climb

Dave MacLeod and Tim Emmett plan to make a 'live' televised ascent of what they have described as one of the toughest rock faces in the world - Sron Ulladale, an overhanging cliff on Harris in the Western Isles.

The climb on Saturday 28 August will be filmed in high definition (HD) and broadcast on BBC Two Scotland and BBC HD Channel. If you have Sky you can also watch BBC2 Scotland on channel 990.

Triple Echo - which produces BBC Scotland's Adventure Show - said the Sron Ulladale climb will be a world first in the terms of technology used during the outside broadcast. This is set to be one of the most inspiring films ever produced of climbers in action

Permission for this summer's programme was granted on the basis that the producers agreed a "leave-no-trace" commitment to protect the fragile local environment. Most of the equipment will be flown in to prevent any erosion to the mountain trails and rare plant life.

Dougie Vipond, who will present the broadcast, said: "This is set to be one of the most inspiring films ever produced of climbers in action. It will be a hugely challenging and bold ascent and our cameras will be there to capture all the drama as it happens."

The programme will also feature a world record attempt the two climbers will make earlier in the summer. They plan to ascend five new routes on five islands in five days.

Writing on his blog, Dave MacLeod said: "I'd love to tell you exactly which part of the mighty Sron we will try to climb, but on a previous recce, close inspection of the cliff was out of the question due to the golden eagles, nesting on the main part of the face once again. If the eagles hatch chicks (best of luck to them!) we won't be able to look closely at the lines until August. So until then, it's training and waiting. Naturally, our plan is to climb the hardest possible route that imagination and finger strength allows."