Ben Fogle Scotland New Lives In The Wild

Let's talk about Ben Fogle and his adventures in Scotland. Specifically, his show, New Lives in the Wild. I've got some thoughts. Maybe controversial. Maybe not.

First, Scotland is stunning. Obviously. Those lochs! Those mountains! You can't deny it. It's like a postcard come to life.

The Dream vs. The Reality

Okay, so people move to the middle of nowhere. They want a 'simpler life.' They raise some chickens. Maybe grow some kale.

But is it really that simple? That's what I always wonder. Are we seeing the whole picture? Or just the Instagram-filtered version?

I'm sure there are bugs! And rain! And probably a lot of sheep poop to clean up. No one shows that part, do they?

The Glorified Struggle

And let's be honest, a lot of these folks are struggling. They're battling the elements. They're figuring out how to fix a tractor with duct tape.

Ben Fogle always looks so impressed. "Wow, you're so resilient!" he says. And they are!

But part of me thinks: "Honey, I'm resilient just getting my kids to school on time every morning. Without losing my mind."

Don't get me wrong, I admire their dedication. They build their own homes. They learn to live off the land. It's seriously impressive.

The Ben Fogle Factor

But does having a TV crew around affect things? Definitely. Would these people live the same way without the cameras? Hmmm...

Maybe the chickens lay extra eggs knowing they're going to be on TV. Maybe the kale grows taller out of sheer stage fright. Who knows?

Ben Fogle seems like a genuinely nice guy. He asks good questions. He looks sincerely interested.

Sometimes, though, I wish he'd ask the really tough questions. Like, "Are you secretly missing Netflix?" Or, "Do you ever just want a pizza?"

My Unpopular Opinion

Here's where my opinion might get me in trouble. I think a lot of people who move to the wild... romanticize it a bit.

They imagine themselves as modern-day pioneers. Taming the wilderness. Living off the grid. It sounds very cool.

But sometimes, I think they're just running away from something. A job they hate. A city that overwhelms them. A mid-life crisis, perhaps.

And that's okay! We all run away from things sometimes. But let's not pretend it's all about "connecting with nature."

Maybe it's also about connecting with a stronger wifi signal. To stream episodes of "Escape to the Chateau". I would be.

Scotland: The Star of the Show

Regardless of the people, Scotland always steals the show. The scenery is just breathtaking. I want to visit one day!

I'd pack my rain gear. And a really good book. And maybe a satellite phone, just in case.

And I'd definitely bring snacks. Living off the land sounds amazing, but I get hangry. Very easily.

So, thank you, Ben Fogle. Thank you for showing us these incredible people. And thank you, Scotland, for being so darn photogenic.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go order a pizza. And watch an episode of New Lives in the Wild. It's called balance.