Steve Backshall on Scotland's wildlife and Ocean tour

Naturalist Steve Backshall on Scotland’s wildlife, his upcoming tour, exploring oceans and animal encounters.

How much do you enjoy taking your show, Ocean, out on tour?

I absolutely love it. Ocean environments are some of most exciting in terms of what there is left for us still to learn about. The deep sea is the biggest inhabitable environment in the whole universe. That sense of the unknown and mystery is really powerful.

I’ve been lucky enough to spend time with Ocean Census diving into the deepest and least-known parts of our oceans and on every single dive we’ve come out with a new species.

Having an animal in your hand that nobody else has ever seen before is a crazy thought. But, in our oceans, it’s not rare. There are potentially millions of species out there left to be to be discovered.

How much are you looking forward to your Scottish shows?

I’ve done Perth before and Eden Court in Inverness is my favourite in the whole world. You’re a stone’s throw away from the Moray Firth and Chanonry Point.

I can talk about animals on stage and send people out to go and see them after the shows. There’s not many places where you can do that – it’s a very special part of the world. I’ve been lucky enough to spend a lot of time filming on Scottish seas. I’ve pretty much circumnavigated the whole of Scotland in the last couple of years and have seen big pods of Risso’s dolphins, orca, basking sharks, giant ocean sunfish and huge blue fin tuna making a return to Scottish seas – some of the most divine, special, visually beautiful and productive in Europe.

Sometimes we need that little kick up the backside to remember that we’ve got here is really special and very few people have the opportunity that we have. Obviously it is my hope that people will see this and dash straight out to the coast.

Steve Backshall brings his tour north of the border next month.

How do you reflect on the wilder encounters over the years?

There have been some pretty close calls but, overwhelmingly, it’s either with the environment, with people, or because I’ve done something dumb. It’s very rarely down to the animals.

I could count on one hand the amount of times I’ve had negative interactions with animals over the years. Most of the time they would far rather avoid a negative encounter with us if they can. It’s been a wild ride and long may it continue.

Deadly 60 is still a popular series. Have you met people it has inspired?

We went a lot more than 60, we’re still going now. 17 years. Holy moly! Doing these live stage shows and meeting young people turning up who are now studying for their doctorates or university is brilliant.

To feel like I might have been even a tiny part of their journeys is just fantastic.

How important is it to get kids interested in the environment?

It’s critical. I am very lucky that I get to see young people at their very best – the ones who are inspired, who have goals and things that they’re massively involved in. They just tend to be happier, more motivated. I think young people who have decided they want the environment to be their thing are an unstoppable force.

You focus on positivity and ways to empower people?

That is exactly right. That always uplifting message, that there are things that we all can do, is really important and particularly with young people.

They will take a lot of content and information, but you do have to be careful about not overloading on the negativity. It can be quite intense.

Are you learning new things constantly too?

Particularly the stuff I’ve done recently with the deep seas, every single dive has been a learning experience.

Every time I’m going somewhere nobody has been. It’s a constant sense of not knowing what is going to happen next.

Do you have a favourite animal encounter over the years?

There was one I had recently with a female orca that was just baffling. She was completely fascinated by me and my crew and just swam round us for a good 45 minutes or so.

This intelligent animal deciding she wanted to be with us rather than be off finding food was a very, very cool thing to see.

You’re an adventurer and your wife, Helen Glover, is an Olympic rower. Do your kids think you’re superheroes?

I don’t think they’ve any idea what we do is unusual. They talk to their friends as if this is what everybody’s parents do.

It was strange going to Paris because I think they believed Helen was going to a big sports day. The Olympics is a little bit bigger!

What’s your next adventure?

To be able to do trips with my kids and show them things I’ve been able to enjoy so much over the years. I’m really looking forward to the chance to share it with them.

Steve Backshall is at Perth Concert Hall, October 19, and Eden Court, Inverness October 20. Tickets at stevebackshall.com