So, we’re out with the Beluga Lagoon crew again, this time filming for Andrew’s big new wildlife film Rivers (aye, nae surprises what it’s about). The line-up: me, Andrew, Craig, and Mark. Blaine was meant to be there but sacked it off to head to Edinburgh to meet his film-making journo pal in the big city lights.

Our “very serious job” was to film this wee wooden toy boat drifting down the river. Proper wildlife cinematography, right? Truth is, it was just four grown men standing at the riverbank like daft laddies, cheering on a toy boat like it was Shackleton’s Endurance on a world-first expedition.

Then came the drama. The poor wooden boat made a beeline straight for a waterfall. Mark, channeling his inner Hollywood action hero, launched himself into the river in a heroic dive. For a moment it looked like we were about to film his last scene. He missed the boat, nearly went over the edge, and gave us all a heart attack.

Luckily, I legged it downstream and managed to fish the wee boat out after it went over. Boat saved. Mark still alive. Result.

To add to the fun, we were also playing about with my brand-new waterproof probe lenses. And no, before you ask, they’re not for probing people like some alien abduction kit — these beauties are for getting right in close to tiny wildlife. We got some cracking shots looking up at beetles, millipedes, frogs and whatever else was willing to sit still. Basically, a whole new angle on the world, macro-style.

A couple of weeks later, I even took one of the boats on a “holiday” up to the Moray Coast. Got some shots of it bobbing about at sea, looking like it had crossed the Atlantic on some epic voyage. Honestly, that wooden thing’s seen more adventure than most folk manage in a year.

Andrew’s close to finishing the film now — just needs a few autumn and winter shots. I’ve dropped in the odd drone flight and camera bit over the last couple of years, and knowing Andrew it’ll be brilliant. The man could film a puddle and make it look like Attenborough.

So aye, keep an eye out for Rivers next year. In the meantime, check out Beluga Lagoon Films on YouTube. That wee wooden boat had a near-death experience, but now it’s a star.