About this season
The Tales of Para Handy is a Scottish television series set in the western isles of Scotland in the 1930s, based on the Para Handy books by Neil Munro. It starred Gregor Fisher as Captain Peter "Para Handy" MacFarlane, Sean Scanlan as first mate Dougie Cameron, Rikki Fulton as engineer Dan Macphail and Andrew Fairlie as Sunny Jim. These four made up the crew of the puffer 'Vital Spark' which was employed by the Campbell Shipping Company, headquartered in Glasgow and run by Andrew Campbell
Episodes (6)
1. Para Handy, Master Mariner
Aired 31 July 1994 • 50 min
The crew of the Vital Spark are entrusted with transporting some queer cargo including a double bed and a prize Highland Bull - and trouble is never too far away.
2. Para Handy, Poacher
Aired 7 August 1994 • 50 min
A spot of poaching lands Para Handy and his unfortunate crew in jail but also reunites Para with his childhood friend, Lady Catherine Ramsey.
3. Salvage!
Aired 14 August 1994 • 50 min
In the aftermath of a storm Para Handy and his hapless crew rescue a drifting boat intending to claim salvage. But the abandoned vessel contains a very nasty surprise.
4. A Night Alarm
Aired 21 August 1994 • 50 min
A spot of engine trouble sees the luckless crew marooned in a small island village, where Para tangles with the drunken town bully and indulges in a spot of matchmaking.
5. The End Of The World
Aired 28 August 1994 • 50 min
After reading his tea leaves, Dougie predicts doom and disaster for those on board the Vital Spark. Para dismisses his predictions until one by one the omens start coming true.
6. Treasure Trove
Aired 4 September 1994 • 50 min
Threatened by the march of modern technology it takes all of Para’s cunning, plus the help of a large beached whale, to keep him and his disaster prone crew in steady employment.