The power of the sea and how people use it

The last of a three-part TV documentary series explores how people harness the tide for different purposes.

Harnessing the Tide joins a swimming challenge that uses the tide as a catapult, and explores tidal power technology on Orkney.

On the beautiful island of Bernera, in the Outer Hebrides, an art installation bell harnesses the tide’s power.

Maritime lecturer and former fisherman Iain Macaulay is tasked with performing a vital repair to the bell – work which can only be done on a low spring tide.

In the Arctic a new tide is rising – a plastic tide, and with it a global threat. A team of young researchers find evidence of micro plastics, washed up and broken down by the tide.

As well as the stories of today, the programme also explores the tide’s potential in harnessing its power for the benefit of future generations.

An Lan – A’ beartachadh an Lain / Tide – Harnessing the Tide will be shown tonight, Wednesday 15 May, on BBC ALBA, from 9-10pm.