[MUSIC PLAYING] TIM WONNACOTT (VOICEOVER): It's the nation's favorite antiques experts-- What's the job?

TIM WONNACOTT (VOICEOVER): --with 200 pounds each-- You with me?

TIM WONNACOTT (VOICEOVER): --a classic car-- Buckle up.

TIM WONNACOTT (VOICEOVER): --and a goal to scour Britain for antiques.

Oh, sorry.

Ha ha.

TIM WONNACOTT (VOICEOVER): The aim?

To make the biggest profit at auction.

But it's no mean feat.

There'll be worthy winners-- Yes TIM WONNACOTT (VOICEOVER): --and valiant losers.

So will it be the high road to glory, or the slow road to disaster?

Have a good trip.

TIM WONNACOTT (VOICEOVER): This is the "Antiques Road Trip."

[MUSIC PLAYING] Yeah.

[MUSIC PLAYING] Hail, Caledonia.

Our pair of professional auctioneers, Charles Hanson and Anita Manning, continue their capers, careering about the scenic capital of Scotia in that 1972 triumph stag.

Edinburgh, like Rome, has seven hills.

That's a lot of ups and downs, just like the Antiques Road Trip, but fun.

ANITA MANNING: It can be a bit like snakes and ladders.

[HISSES] You can go up, and you can come down.

Anita-- A roller coaster.

Anita, I'm feeling sleepy.

[LAUGHS] Where has that clutch control gone?

I'm not in gear.

I'm slipping a bit here.

TIM WONNACOTT (VOICEOVER): Oh no.

Huh.

While it's true that Charles did indeed do some backsliding earlier in the trip, he actually climbed back into profit last time, and starts out today with 267 pounds and 74 pence.

While Anita has stayed steady on her feet and kept well ahead, doubling her original stake to land her with 410 pounds for this time.

CHARLES HANSON: I cannot believe that you have hit the 400 pound barrier and a bit more.

I'm languishing a long way back.

ANITA MANNING: We're both courageous.

We both take a chance.

[HONK] [MUSIC PLAYING] TIM WONNACOTT (VOICEOVER): Charles and Anita set forth from Kilbarchan and are touring the b-roads on both sides of the border before a last auction in North Shields.

CHARLES HANSON: I go to auction burning brightly.

It's either fly high or collapse in your arms, and that is the game, Anita.

My heart is filled.

My wee Scottish heart is full.

You have conquered Scotland, and you have conquered my heart.

[MUSIC PLAYING] TIM WONNACOTT (VOICEOVER): This time, their journey will take them through the Scottish borders before auction at Kinbuck, Stirlingshire.

But first, Edinburgh.

Anita and Charles are driving through Holyrood Park this morning, skirting the slopes, lochs, and cliffs of Arthur's seat.

CHARLES HANSON: There we go.

On this gorgeous morning.

What a beautiful spot.

The sun is shining, and you're looking mustard.

As keen as mustard.

OK. Bye, bye, darling.

See you later.

Bye, have a good day.

TIM WONNACOTT (VOICEOVER): While Charles heads to his first shop, Anita's making her way on foot over the causeway to her first emporium of the day, The Courtyard Antiques.

Hi, I'm Anita.

Please to meet you, Anita.

This is the most amazing, most visually extraordinary shop that I've been in for a long time.

Thank you.

TIM WONNACOTT (VOICEOVER): Quite an eclectic array of the antique and vintage here.

[MUSIC PLAYING] This is like the biggest toy shop in the world.

It's all about fun.

Hey, trigger.

TIM WONNACOTT (VOICEOVER): Trot on, doll.

What's upstairs?

ANITA MANNING: Planes, boats, all a bit like boys' toys, but I found this fabulous girl's tricycle.

It's called the Sky Princess, and I think it's an American bike.

It's a bit like a kid's Cadillac.

It's a wee bit dar at 190 pounds because I'm taking it to auction, and this will have a very restricted market.

TIM WONNACOTT (VOICEOVER): Time to summon Lewis.

I found a girly toy with these marvelous mud guards here, which are a bit like I suppose it's about space agey.

I thought it would be American.

Am I right there?

It's American, yeah.

What sort of period?

I think it could be anywhere from the '40s to the '60s really.

I would like to be paying in the region of 80 to 100 because we've got some wee bits missing here.

LEWIS: Well, if we could agree on 100, I would be quite happy.

100?

Let's go for it.

I can't resist it.

Thank you so much.

I wonder will it hold me?

I think it would, yeah.

[LAUGHS] I am absolutely delighted with this, and I'm going to keep on looking.

LEWIS: Great.

Thank you so much.

[MUSIC PLAYING] TIM WONNACOTT (VOICEOVER): With a lighter purse after that first buy, we'll leave her to carry on trawling.

Time to catch up with Charles, who's on his way across Edinburgh to Bruntsfield, one time home of Muriel Spark who wrote "The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie".

He's expected at his first shop by owner Anna and her dog, the eponymous Tippi.

Good girl.

ANNA: Hi, there.

Good morning.

How are you on this fine morning-- Very well, thank you --in Edinburgh?

What a lovely job.

ANNA: Thank you.

This is Tippi.

- Hello, Tippi.

Good to see you.

Maybe Tippi can just tip the scales in my favor?

[LAUGHS] TIM WONNACOTT (VOICEOVER): Yes.

- There we go.

TIM WONNACOTT (VOICEOVER): Go on, sniff out those bargains.

[MUSIC PLAYING] Dear, oh, dear.

[MUSIC PLAYING] Oh, what's Anna got there?

To the unassuming, it might be a sewing box with a lid to open up, but would you believe it, it's true, isn't it, inside, look at that.

There's your vacuum cleaner.

Oh, I love it.

ANNA: Imagine how much room that could free up under your stairs.

Every Saturday afternoon, I'll do a little hoovering.

You could put Tim Wonnacott under the stairs if you got one of those.

TIM WONNACOTT (VOICEOVER): Put me under the stairs?

CHARLES HANSON: It's an amazing object, but it's not for me.

I've never seen one before.

Made my day.

Thank you.

TIM WONNACOTT (VOICEOVER): So what might you Hoover up?

Ah, a wooden vase.

Looks Georgian.

I quite like this form.

It's of ovoid outline with a cover on a circular pedestal.

And how much could that be?

Has it come somewhere local or?

It has, actually.

It's a local house that I cleared.

What do you reckon, Tippi?

15 pounds?

Yeah.

The art of antiques is handling.

And sometimes, you're best to go into a shop, go into an auction, and just handle that tactile nature of what the object gives off.

And this doesn't just have a great handle, it glows as well.

Your best price, 15 pounds?

Yes.

I'm going to say, Tippi, look at me.

I'm going to say going, going, give me a paw, gone.

Thank you very much.

TIM WONNACOTT (VOICEOVER): Time to "paws" now-- [CHUCKLES] who writes this stuff-- and catch up with Anita, who's still on the hunt across town.

Bless her.

Isn't this just absolutely fabulous?

It's a weighing machine that tells your fortune.

It was designed by Joseph Sinal, an Australian architect who lived in America, and he would have designed this type of machine for a prestigious building like the Empire State Building.

The shape is art deco, the materials are art deco.

I'm going to step on it, and see what happens.

[MUSIC PLAYING] All right.

Not willing to take a risk if you see the slightest chance of losing.

Well, maybe that's true.

As for the weight, well can't find that.

Maybe just as well.

TIM WONNACOTT (VOICEOVER): Ah, she's worth her weight in gold, that woman.

Now anything else here?

I love art nouveau, and this spirit kettle here is an example of probably Austrian art nouveau, and I'm very fond of that period and that area.

TIM WONNACOTT (VOICEOVER): Spirit kettles date back to the days of Queen Anne.

She used a burner to maintain a supply of hot water for topping up the teapot at elaborate tea parties.

There's no price on this one so Lewis.

Lewis, I really like this spirit kettle.

I think that it's probably Austrian art nouveau.

Would you agree with me?

Yes.

What is the very, very, very best that you can do?

The very, very, very, very best is 120.

120?

I'm going to go for it.

That's great.

Thank you very much.

Thank you.

So 120 for the kettle, 100 for the bike.

220 pounds.

OK, lovely.

Thank you.

Come on, princess.

TIM WONNACOTT (VOICEOVER): Just don't ride it, eh?

Oh no, here we go.

Charlie can keep the stag.

[LAUGHS] TIM WONNACOTT (VOICEOVER): On your bike, An, as they say in Glasgow.

Now any advance on the mahogany vase over at Bruntsfield?

I'm a man who likes classical ornament, and here you've got the Greek key on this very nice little, I suppose, perhaps it looks like to be part of a side board.

And the quality of the mahogany says to me it's quite old.

How much is it?

ANNA: For you, 75.

[MUSIC PLAYING] It's just a unit, isn't it?

Been here a while?

No.

I just think it's slightly out of my price range.

And that would be your best price?

50.

Oh, best price, really?

There's just something about it.

That's all I'm going to say.

I almost need a close look at it, Anna because I just love the form.

Ugh.

We've got the molding all the way around, which shows to me neither side was-- ANNA: Taken.

--was within.

I feel like I'm Paul Daniel's doing a little magic trick here.

This is a lovely I think 1820s in the manner of Gillows, in the manner of Thomas Hope.

It's Grecian, it's Greek revival.

It's rich regency.

It could be English, but my goodness me, it's small and her style, and I quite like it.

And sometimes when you're a passionate antique enthusiast, you can't say no.

[MUSIC PLAYING] TIM WONNACOTT (VOICEOVER): As Miss Brady said, for those who like that sort of thing, that is the sort of thing they like.

So it's a deal at 65 pounds for the vase and the cabinet.

Is he going off with the dog?

Pleasure doing business.

How much is she?

Priceless.

Of course.

I'll put you down.

There we go.

Have a good day, Tippi, look after your mom.

Cheers.

Thank you.

Bye bye.

I love it.

I'm very happy.

TIM WONNACOTT (VOICEOVER): The next port of call for Anita is on the north side of Edinburgh where the city stretches down to the river forth and the harbors of Leith, New Haven, and Grantham.

She's bound for Lady Hague's Factory, where 40 ex-servicemen, many disabled, make the poppies for Armistice Day, symbols of remembrance and hope.

She's meeting employee and former Scots Guard, Arthur Dyke.

Hello, I'm Anita.

I'm Arthur.

Lovely to meet you.

Nice to meet you.

So this is where millions of remembrance poppy, Scottish remembrance poppies, are made every year.

ARTHUR DYKE: We make 5.2 million poppies, and we make them all by hand.

Poppies are making, are going to make money to help ex-servicemen and women and families so we're all very proud to work here.

TIM WONNACOTT (VOICEOVER): The first use of the poppy is a poignant war motif was in 1915 in words written by a Canadian army doctor, John McCrea.

He wrote a very famous poem, "In Flanders Fields."

And from that poem, we now have the poppy.

And this is the third verse from the poem if you like to-- Can I read it?

Certainly.

"Take up our quarrel with the foe.

To you from failing hands we throw the torch.

Be yours to hold it high.

If ye break faith with us who die, we shall not sleep, though poppies grow in Flanders Fields."

It's very moving.

Very moving poem.

So that was our first reference to the poppy.

Poppy, yes.

TIM WONNACOTT (VOICEOVER): This factory was set up in 1926 by Lady Haag, five years after poppies were worn for the first time.

It was to produce poppies for Scotland because the factory set up in England to employ war veterans in 1922 couldn't keep up with the demand.

But I believe the Scottish poppies are different from the English poppies.

Am I right, then?

Totally different, totally different.

Our poppy looked like a poppy.

ANITA MANNING: Uh-huh.

ARTHUR DYKE: You know, ti's got the four petals.

The English poppies got two petals and the green leaf.

But it all goes back to that time, Lady Haag just wanted to do things differently.

ANITA MANNING: Wanted it done her way.

ARTHUR DYKE: The Scottish way.

ANITA MANNING: The Scottish way.

ARTHUR DYKE: Yeah.

[MUSIC PLAYING] TIM WONNACOTT (VOICEOVER): The poppy factory's mission is as important today as it was in 1926.

What's keeping the men in a job plus the poppies that they make bring in about 2 and 1/2 million pounds to help ex-service men and women every year.

Arthur, could I have a go at making poppies?

Certainly you can.

Come this way, and we'll get you to make a poppy.

TIM WONNACOTT (VOICEOVER): John is a veteran who served in the Royal Army Ordnance Corps.

All you do is press it down.

That's it.

And then poke your black stud on top.

That is it, and you've made your first poppy.

Tell me, John.

How many poppies do you make a day?

On average, about two and a half thousand.

That is absolutely wonderful.

And how long have you worked here?

A little over five years now.

The camaraderie in the factory's good.

And it helps me.

I suffer with my nerves.

ANITA MANNING: I think that's great.

All the guys are nice.

Well, I hope so.

We try to be.

I've been chatting everybody up.

Have you?

That is wicked.

[LAUGHS] [MUSIC PLAYING] But to do 10,000 in a week, I don't think I would.

I need to do a lot of practice.

Yeah.

[LAUGHTER] TIM WONNACOTT (VOICEOVER): You bet.

[MUSIC PLAYING] Charles is on his way across the city now, buoyed up with two purchases already under his belt.

CHARLES HANSON: I feel as though I've got a wand in my hand today, and I'm going to land on something that will say, look at me, I'm the gold that will turn a huge profit, and finally see me leap over Ms. Manning.

TIM WONNACOTT (VOICEOVER): At that moment, that would be more of a high jump, but we salute your optimism, sir.

Charles is steering north for us now, to his second shop of the day.

Perfect.

TIM WONNACOTT (VOICEOVER): Edinburgh Antique Center owned by Campbell.

Mr. Campbell.

Charles, nice to meet you.

Have you anything really early or really interesting that may have just have landed?

Well, we have got a new dealer in who does a lot of ceramic tea bowls, especially early ones-- Oh, really?

--from 1790s onwards.

Oh, really?

Are they nearby?

I'll show you now.

Come and show me.

So this is basically the history of tea drinking going back to around 1810.

Yep.

Yep, certainly is.

I mean, there's earlier ones as well.

And this is just basically his collection that he's looking to get rid of at the moment.

CHARLES HANSON: Good for him.

Straight away, there's a tea bowl and saucer over here.

It's cracked, but what's interesting, it's actually an ore moriel tea bowl and saucer.

So rather than being middle class 1830, it's a Chinese tea bowl and saucer, which carries a coat of arms for an important British family, and that puts it into a different league.

And amazingly, it's only 11 pounds.

For something from probably circa 1760.

[MUSIC PLAYING] Isn't that pretty.

So sadly, someone drank too much tea, and tried to eat the tea bowl as well.

Yep.

But it's full of rich tea history.

Certainly.

And for me, it's good to brew.

Much could it be?

We can do it for you for nine.

Made 240 years ago.

For nine pounds, it would be rude to say no.

Yes.

- We have a deal.

Going, going, gone.

I'll take it.

I'll put it on your counter.

I shall take it.

Thanks, Campbell.

God, it's like picking sweets.

It's so easy.

'Tis.

[LAUGHTER] TIM WONNACOTT (VOICEOVER): You're in Edinburgh, you'll have had your tea.

Now is it time for dance?

What is Charles up to?

Perhaps a little lie down.

Why not?

Some lovely novelty silver, and just talking novelty silver, I do like that.

It's almost a stoneware body.

Yeah.

Because what do you call this sport?

Curling.

Curling, curling.

I like this because obviously number one, it's got some age.

We can see on the foot room here good signs of honest wear.

More than that, it's decorative, serving the interests of a sporting collector.

But of course, it's got the dual s of not just being decorative, also being an inkwell.

It is.

And on the inside, maybe it's missing its glass liner, but what's nice is you've got hints of the old ink and just general wear and tear.

Campbell, I quite like this.

How much could that be?

It's priced at 39.

39.

We could do that for-- we'll do it for 30.

Really?

We can do that for 30.

Yeah.

I'm going to say to you, Campbell, it's a definite maybe.

Certainly.

So if you can look after it.

I will.

And I will then report back to you shortly.

- Certainly.

- Thank you very much.

No problem.

Thank you.

Like that.

[MUSIC PLAYING] It looks like somebody has been antiquing far too long.

[MUSIC PLAYING] I'm doing OK.

I quite like that.

250.

A little bit out of my price range.

TIM WONNACOTT (VOICEOVER): Time is marching on, Charles.

Make your mind up.

To curl or not to curl.

That be the question.

It is now.

My thought is, for 30 pounds, I'll play the game.

Perfect.

I'll take it as well.

TIM WONNACOTT (VOICEOVER): That's nine for the teacup and saucer, and 30 for the curling stone inkwell.

And there you are, sir.

It's amazing what you can buy for 39 pounds.

I am so grateful.

You've got some good ones.

- I hope so.

- Yeah.

- Thank you.

- It's no problem.

- See you.

- See you later.

Bye bye.

Bye bye.

TIM WONNACOTT (VOICEOVER): Job done.

Time to call it a day, and collect Anita, and get some supper.

How about some haggis?

I fancy a haggis, Anita.

What exactly is a haggis?

Well, it's a lot of sort of stuff all jumbled up in sheep's stomach.

Well, maybe not so much, Anita.

TIM WONNACOTT (VOICEOVER): Chips all round then.

[LAUGHS] Bon Appetit and a nighty night.

[MUSIC PLAYING] No time for slumbering on the Antiques Road Trip.

Our experts are up at that crack of dawn and are off roaming the beautiful roads of the borders.

ANITA MANNING: Charlie, let's stop.

That's a lovely wee button down there.

CHARLES HANSON: Pull in here, now.

ANITA MANNING: Yeah.

CHARLES HANSON: Pull in here, quick.

Take in this wonderful wilderness.

Where's the birds?

Can we go and see if there's some trout.

Little stream.

TIM WONNACOTT (VOICEOVER): Some old trout.

Anyway, Anita yesterday found a few of her favorite things.

A pink trike.

Charlie, could keep the stag.

TIM WONNACOTT (VOICEOVER): And a bright, copper kettle, which leaves her 190 pounds in her warm, woolen mittens.

While Charles's brown paper packages contain a pear cabinet, a mahogany vase-- I love it.

I'm really happy.

TIM WONNACOTT (VOICEOVER): --a Chinese tea bowl and saucer, and a curling stone inkwell.

I like that.

TIM WONNACOTT (VOICEOVER): Which means he has 163 pounds and 74 pence left.

But will there be the sound of beautiful music at the end of the day?

Oh, Charlie, I've had enough of this wilderness.

Let's get back in the car.

Let's go.

Oh.

Well, that's better.

Oh, it's a good life.

TIM WONNACOTT (VOICEOVER): Dry cleaning bills notwithstanding.

I'm a chancer.

I'm a go-getter.

I hope you've learned I'm quite a wild guy, and I think you're quite a wild lady.

Let's just go for it.

We'll spend the money.

We will take a gamble.

This is the thing.

We just love this stuff.

Exactly.

TIM WONNACOTT (VOICEOVER): And so they do.

Time now to part company, but only for a while.

Anita is banned for Kelso, home to one of the area's most famous abbeys and deemed by Sir Walter Scott the most beautiful village in Scotland.

First destination today for our grand dam of Scottish antiques is At Task, where Tricia is keeping shop.

Good morning.

Hello, I'm Anita.

Lovely to meet you.

Welcome, welcome.

It's lovely to be here.

Your shop looks colorful and beautiful.

Oh, thank you.

Can't wait to have a look around.

Sure.

Please do, and if there's anything I can help you with, just give me a yell.

Terrific.

All right, thank you.

TIM WONNACOTT (VOICEOVER): Amongst the gifts, curios, antiques, and collectibles, there's bound to be something to catch Anita's eye.

[MUSIC PLAYING] I love these jewelry cabinets, and I haven't bought any jewelry up until this point.

And this might be my first jewelry buy.

It's a rather pretty little pendant with a heart shaped amethyst or amethyst glass stone.

Nice, sweet thing.

I'd like to think that it is gold, but have to check out.

TIM WONNACOTT (VOICEOVER): She's a canny one.

The clasp is marked with the numbers three, seven, five, which means it is nine karat gold.

There are no marks on the pendant so the pendant and the chain might not have started off life together.

I think that the mount is very pretty.

It's like a little crown.

TIM WONNACOTT (VOICEOVER): Sounds promising.

Anything else?

[MUSIC PLAYING] Ah, more copper.

I like this art nouveau plate.

It has been handmade, and hand beaten, and hand embossed.

On the ball of the plate, we can see the little marks which indicate handwork.

And this is where the craftsman has beaten out these circles with a tiny, little hammer.

And I think that it's very pretty.

It's 32 pounds.

I wonder if Tricia will be able to give me a discount if I buy two items in the shop.

TIM WONNACOTT (VOICEOVER): Well, you can't but ask.

Tricia, I like both of these items.

I think they are sort of feminine items, don't you?

Very nice, yes.

35 on that, 32 on that?

Mhm.

Would it be possible if we put them both together, to buy them for 40 pounds?

I don't think I could go as low as that.

How about 55 for the two?

55?

Can you shave another little off of it, and make it 50 for both?

So 25 pounds each?

- That's right.

- Deal.

Lovely.

Oh, thank you very much.

Thank you.

- You're welcome.

50 pounds.

Thank you very much.

- Bye bye.

Bye bye now.

TIM WONNACOTT (VOICEOVER): And away she goes with 140 pounds left in her pocket.

[MUSIC PLAYING] Meanwhile, Charles is off 19 miles westward to one of the oldest royal boroughs in Scotland, Selkirk.

A borders town built on the wool trade, and that's what's attracting Charles today as he makes his way to the world's only mill entirely dedicated to tartan weaving to meet tartan maker, Nick Fiddes.

[KNOCK ON DOOR] Charles, you made it.

- Nick, you're in the tartan?

- Well, come in.

I'm in the right place.

Welcome.

TIM WONNACOTT (VOICEOVER): Tartan colors and patterns, or sets as they're known, developed in Scotland from the 16th century, and were created with the natural dyes of the area that they were woven in.

But they may also have had associations with particular clans.

Nobody really knows where it started.

It's a crisscross pattern which goes back thousands of years.

And for the best part of 100 years, Scots weren't allowed to wear it.

Why was it banned?

Because it was such a powerful symbol of identity, of rebellion, really, which is I think partly where its modern identity comes from too.

It's because we're a feisty lot in Scotland.

TIM WONNACOTT (VOICEOVER): Three quarters of a century after the jacobites were crushed at khallad, and tartan was rehabilitated when George IV wore it on a visit to Edinburgh in 1822.

He was mocked because his kilt was too short.

But tartan was taken out with enthusiasm by the Victorians.

NICK FIDDES: We've basically kept a sample of every single different fabric that's been woven here since 1947.

So I've never managed to count them.

I think it's probably 7,000 or 8,000 so it's probably the largest collection of tartan samples in the world.

That brown there, in tartan terminology we called ancient green.

Why?

Because it's as if it's been sort of buried in a bog for a few hundred years and dug up and gone dark and moldy.

Yes.

It's actually based on a sample.

It was dug up from the Battle of Culloden-- Really?

--which Angus Dalgleish analyzed and then tried to recreate the sorts of colors using the same sorts of dyes it used-- - It's amazing.

--so we call reproduction.

[MUSIC PLAYING] TIM WONNACOTT (VOICEOVER): Conventions about colors have developed over the years.

So the modern colors are sort of strong and bold.

They're called modern because they're Victorian.

- Yes.

- Chemical dyes came out.

But what's in the frame over here?

It looks quite muted.

This is the Balmoral tartan, woven exclusively for the queen and her immediate family.

And I believe her royal piper is allowed to wear it, but no one else.

I think it was actually designed by Prince Albert.

TIM WONNACOTT (VOICEOVER): Perennially popular everywhere from weddings to rugby matches, new tartans are being designed all the time.

This one over here, I need my sunglasses on.

It's like a rainbow of colors, Nick.

NICK FIDDES: It's actually called the rainbow tartan because it's basically for gay and lesbian communities.

And it's a good example of how tartan has moved on from its traditional roots to being something for literally any community.

There's no other fabric like tartan in that the way it can identify you, and who you feel you are, who you belong to, who you love from 20 paces.

TIM WONNACOTT (VOICEOVER): Everything in this mill is made by hand using traditional looms.

Time for our very own Sassenach to get weaving now, as Carroll shows him her job, tying on.

First of all, you have to tie this on around your waist.

Ow.

Loop that through.

Yeah, OK. Yeah, I'm on.

TIM WONNACOTT (VOICEOVER): Yarn is joined together thread by thread in a special knot that will pass through the loom.

But there's-- how many threads are there?

1,200.

Done it.

I've done it, haven't I?

Is that right?

- Yes.

Yes.

6 out of 10.

Oh, Item 6 out of 10.

TIM WONNACOTT (VOICEOVER): While Charles has been at the loom, Anita has been weaving her way through Roxburghshire to Melrose at the foot of the Eildon Hills, which gave the Romans the name Trimontium, three hills, for the fort they built here.

And there's something of a Roman holiday going on today.

This car is of Italian design, and I quite like that because the Italians always had fabulous design.

And you know, driving in this car makes me feel a bit like Sophia Loren or Gina Lollobrigida.

TIM WONNACOTT (VOICEOVER): Ah.

La dolce vita, eh?

Our leading lady is often our last shop, Old Melrose Antiques and Tea Room, where she can enjoy two of her favorite things.

Hi, I'm a Anita.

Hello, Anita.

I'm Greg.

Lovely to meet you.

Welcome to Old Melrose.

Oh, yeah.

Well, this is wonderful, but what was this before?

It's been a farm, and it's been a dairy, it's been a timber mill, and now it's an antique.

Yeah.

So there's a lot of history here.

There's a lot of history here.

All right, well, there's a lot of antiques as well, and I can't wait to whizz around and have a look at them.

Certainly.

Feel free to look around, and if you need me, I'll be in the workshop.

- Thank you very much.

Thank you.

[MUSIC PLAYING] TIM WONNACOTT (VOICEOVER): These old agricultural buildings are surely bursting with possibilities.

So crack on, Anita.

[MUSIC PLAYING] I like this.

This is a bar billiards table.

Now this is probably a Victorian one.

It's made of mahogany with this lovely inlay of some sort of satin wood and urbanized wood.

And there's lots of little rows of holes, and I think these would have been used for scoring.

I love these wooden pockets for the balls.

I'd love to see a maker's name.

And there is one here.

Pickett Brothers Bishopsgate, London.

I don't know how to play billiards or snooker.

But it looks like great fun.

TIM WONNACOTT (VOICEOVER): Cue purchase.

[LAUGHS] Perhaps.

[MUSIC PLAYING] Meanwhile, Charles has arrived.

And if he's to catch up with Anita, he'll need to get a move on.

What's that there?

There's me the cock, and there's Anita the pheasant.

TIM WONNACOTT (VOICEOVER): More of a hen bird really.

Quite rare.

At the moment, pondering a cup of tea.

Ah, lovely.

[MUSIC PLAYING] Anita.

ANITA MANNING: Charles.

CHARLES HANSON: What are you doing?

Stop rushing about.

Calm down, play it cool, man.

I know this is the penultimate hour of our penultimate leg to dig deep.

Have you dug deep, Charlie?

No, not yet.

I'm scavenging.

And by the way, just be careful.

Don't put any crumbs on the floor.

There's a big mouse.

ANITA MANNING: A mouse, Charlie?

CHARLES HANSON: There is just over there.

A mouse, Charlie.

I'll see you later.

[LAUGHTER] TIM WONNACOTT (VOICEOVER): Wee, sleekit, cowering, timorous beastie.

That got them moving.

Time to call in Tim and get down to some business.

Could I kindly have a look in this cabinet here?

Certainly, yeah.

I like the pair of sugar nips.

Are they silver?

TIM: They are.

They're quite lucky, aren't they?

Because they're wishbones.

TIM: Wishbones, yeah.

This is hallmark Sheffield 1995.

TIM: Yeah.

I quite like them.

I'll make a wish.

Best price?

20 pounds.

Bigger wish?

Um.

- To a humble man.

- 18.

18 pounds.

That's a really good discount so I'm going to think about that.

OK. That's quite nice, Tim.

I like that.

It's a small little vester stand.

So what you would do is put your matches in this, and of course, you would strike your match down.

Birmingham 1915.

It's priced at 25.

What's your best on that, Tim?

I could probably do 20 pounds on that.

Could you really?

That's quite nice.

The only issue is the hallmarks are rubbed.

TIM: Mhm.

And that will affect value.

But to me, you can see where it's being used-- TIM: Yeah.

--where matches have come out, and it just has a glow.

I'm almost torn between whether-- I can almost put some sugar in here and take the two together, and nip literally out a price for the two of them.

If I brought the two together, what could be your very best?

How about 32?

That's good.

And I think, Tim, for 32 pounds, I will say I can't say no.

Thank you.

- Thank you very much.

Yes, sir.

TIM WONNACOTT (VOICEOVER): Yes, that's Charles done and dusted.

And Anita is taking Greg to the bar billiards board, which has no price ticket.

That's lovely, isn't it?

Lovely piece of mahogany.

Do you know how to play this game?

Don't know the official rules, Anita, but we generally just roll the balls up and see what we can score.

Can I have a go?

I want to have a go.

Right, I'll do two at the same time.

[MUSIC PLAYING] Yay.

GREG: Well done, Anita.

ANITA MANNING: Now, I'd love to buy it.

GREG: OK.

I'd like to pay 140 pounds for it.

What do you think?

As it's you, Anita, go on then.

Oh, thank you much.

That's sweet.

- You're welcome.

- That's sweet.

- You'll do well with it.

Well, I'm going to give you 140 pounds, which is everything I've got.

OK. Let's have another go.

Sure.

[LAUGHS] TIM WONNACOTT (VOICEOVER): Game on.

And that's Anita, spending every penny.

Whoa.

Well done.

TIM WONNACOTT (VOICEOVER): Her piggy is empty.

OK, Charlie.

There's just something-- [CAR TRYING TO START] TIM WONNACOTT (VOICEOVER): Uh-oh.

OK. [CAR TRYING TO START] [ENGINE TURNING OVER] - Oh.

Oh, Anita.

You have my hat.

I'll have yours.

And let's hit the road.

TIM WONNACOTT (VOICEOVER): Hold onto your hats then.

Time to head for some shut eye.

What a lovely view.

[MUSIC PLAYING] Pistols at dawn now as we head to auction at Kinbuck in Stirlingshire.

In 1715 during the first jacobite rebellion, this quiet Hamlet resounded to the steps of 6,000 troops crossing the river Allan on their way to fight the Hanoverians.

Anita and Charles had a capital day in Edinburgh before wending through the borders and north to Kinbuck, disturbing the peace again with a different battle cry.

Profit, here we come.

Come on.

All right.

There you go.

Hop off.

There we go.

TIM WONNACOTT (VOICEOVER): And our sale room today is Robertson's, a family business, which has clocked up 40 years in the auction trade.

Charles spent just over half his available cash, 136 pounds on five lots.

While Anita emptied her pockets completely, gambling every penny of her 410 pounds on her five lots.

Time to size up each other's purchases.

CHARLES HANSON: I love this kettle on stand.

It's art nouveau.

It's organic.

And, Anita, this I think is a prized find.

But could reach boiling point, it could fizzle away.

It could make 40 pounds.

I'm hoping it might be very cold.

TIM WONNACOTT (VOICEOVER): And what are you saying, Anita?

Curling has been played in Scotland since the 1500s, and Charlie has bought tactically when he bought this little inkwell.

The buyers are going to love it in this sale room.

He paid 30 pounds for it.

He wouldn't double his money, but he will make a profit.

[MUSIC PLAYING] TIM WONNACOTT (VOICEOVER): But what does auctioneer Struan Robertson think?

Pear cabinet, now, it has regency.

So it's got age on its side.

But brown furniture isn't doing great at the moment.

The pink tricycle, I know that's something I've not seen before.

It's a shame it's got the handlebars missing, and it's got the seat pad missing.

I think it will do quite well.

[MUSIC PLAYING] TIM WONNACOTT (VOICEOVER): Settle down now for the offer.

We have got to make some money in this auction, Charlie.

Time.

There it goes.

TIM WONNACOTT (VOICEOVER): And first up is Charles's mahogany ovoid vase and cover.

Charlie, you found in the basement.

Yes.

You got a bargain basement price.

Lovely piece here guys.

Who'll give me 40 pounds?

Such a good object.

STRUAN ROBERTSON: 20's up.

Oh, 20.

Such a good object.

24, 26, 28.

Come on.

STRUAN ROBERTSON: 30, 32, 34.

I see 34.

- He's still in.

Still in.

STRUAN ROBERTSON: 38, 40.

Now I see 40.

It's still in, Charlie.

Still in.

Now I see 45.

How much do you want it?

I see 45, 50, Now I see 50.

55, Now I see 55.

Now I see 55.

Call it then at 55 pounds.

Charlie, you have made a great start.

TIM WONNACOTT (VOICEOVER): He's nearly tripled his money there.

Nice work.

I'm just now opening up.

I'm at the end of my week.

I've now just a bit more supple, and I'm running, baby, after you.

TIM WONNACOTT (VOICEOVER): But can he keep up?

Anita's gold and amethyst pendant is next.

Heart-shaped.

Yeah.

There's love, there's love.

Romantic.

Oh, and there it gets better.

Is there love in the room?

I can smell it.

Yeah.

I can smell it.

Who will give me 50 pounds?

40, 30, 30 pounds.

30-- 30 pounds so into profit.

And have I seen 30 pounds?

All done at 30 pounds.

30 pounds.

TIM WONNACOTT (VOICEOVER): Five pounds profit to Ms. Manning.

A profit is a profit, Charlie.

Exactly.

TIM WONNACOTT (VOICEOVER): Yes, it is.

Time now for Charles's regency mahogany pear cabinet.

You're very brave buying a piece of furniture.

I'm a man.

You're a man.

And a man likes to be masculine, big objects.

Lovely pear cabinet there.

Who'll give me 100 pounds?

90, 80, 80 pounds.

- Come on, go around.

- Come on.

STRUAN ROBERTSON: 80 pounds.

50, start me.

40, 30, 30 to go.

Come on, guys.

- Oh, jeez.

Oh, come on.

STRUAN ROBERTSON: --regency piece here for 30 pounds.

20 then.

[INTERPOSING VOICES] STRUAN ROBERTSON: 22.

Come on.

STRUAN ROBERTSON: Wanting 22, 24.

26.

26.

I'm a poor man.

All done at 26 pounds.

I'm a poor man.

And now they think it's all over.

TIM WONNACOTT (VOICEOVER): Not yet, but it's a bit of known goal, a 24 pound loss.

CHARLES HANSON: I'm passionate for history, and that was history.

It's gone.

Forget it.

[LAUGHS] TIM WONNACOTT (VOICEOVER): Will Anita's Austrian copper spirit kettle sing for her next?

How about 120?

Advance of 120.

Yes.

TIM WONNACOTT (VOICEOVER): Looking good.

Oh, please.

STRUAN ROBERTSON: An advance of 120 pounds.

All out then at 120 pounds.

I was so relieved that I didn't lose money on it.

TIM WONNACOTT (VOICEOVER): Oh, well, it didn't quite hit the high notes.

Charles's armorial China teacup and saucer are under the hammer next.

You're always buying broken porcelain, Charlie.

I know.

Who will give me 30 pounds?

30 pounds.

25, 20, 20 pounds.

Let's go, come on.

CHARLES HANSON: Come on.

ANITA MANNING: Come on.

STRUAN ROBERTSON: 15 then.

15 pounds.

How about paying an advance of 10.

Advance of 10.

12, I'm out an advance at 12.

Come on.

STRUAN ROBERTSON: An advance at 12 pounds.

Such good value.

ANITA MANNING: You have now become part of its history.

TIM WONNACOTT (VOICEOVER): Three pounds is better than a poke in the eye with a sharp stick.

- Never mind.

- Exactly.

The show goes on, Anita.

The show goes on.

TIM WONNACOTT (VOICEOVER): Show time now for Anita's pink American-style tricycle.

How far can it go?

An out bid 80, an advance of 80.

80 pounds.

It's in really good condition as well, being a children's toy.

- That's fantastic.

- Advance at 80.

Advance at 90.

95, 100.

I salute you, Anita Manning.

STRUAN ROBERTSON: Advance at 100 pounds.

Advance at 100 pounds.

All out then at 100 pounds.

Oh, Charlie.

All I can say, Anita, to speculate with that-- I know.

I just salute you.

TIM WONNACOTT (VOICEOVER): She speculated, but didn't accumulate.

But will Charles's silver and glass Vester, Stryker, and sugar tongs light the room up now?

30 pounds.

25, 20, 20 pounds starting it.

Let's go.

Come on, 20 pounds.

15 then.

Come on.

STRUAN ROBERTSON: 15 [AUCTIONEER CHANT] Anymore?

STRUAN ROBERTSON: An advance at 20 pounds.

All out then at 20 pounds.

Oh, Charlie.

TIM WONNACOTT (VOICEOVER): Well, that fizzled out with a 12 pound loss.

The auction room can be so inviting, yet at the same time disappointing.

I was disappointed, but that's life.

Oh, never mind.

TIM WONNACOTT (VOICEOVER): Next up is Anita's arts and crafts copperplate.

It's art nouveau.

It's defined by the femme fatale, isn't it?

You know, you are the-- Do you think I'm a bit of a femme fatale?

You are a femme fatale.

You're organic, fluid.

What's your wife going to say about that?

Who'll give me 40 pounds?

35, 30, 30 pounds.

[AUCTIONEER CHANT] Come on.

Keep going.

[AUCTIONEER CHANT] An advance at 30.

Advance at 30, 32, 34.

Advance at 34, 36.

Anita-- STRUAN ROBERTSON: Advance at 36.

--I admire you.

Advance at 36.

All out then at 36 pounds.

36.

TIM WONNACOTT (VOICEOVER): Yep.

11 pounds profit on the plate.

Anita, whenever you need to live a Scottish dream, I fly beside you.

I sit next to you, and I watch, and I admire.

It's good.

TIM WONNACOTT (VOICEOVER): Now Charles's last item, the curling stone inkwell.

An out bid 12, an advance at 12.

14.

I need to go to 15 now.

16, advance at 16.

Advance at 16, 18.

Advance at 18, 20.

Advance at 20, 22, Advance at 22.

Keep going.

Advance at 22 pounds.

All out then at 22, 24.

Yes Oh, come on.

Advance at 24 pounds, 26.

Advance at 26.

Advance at 26.

CHARLES HANSON: We're almost there.

One more.

STRUAN ROBERTSON: 26 pounds.

[GAVEL BANGS] Oh.

Sorry, sorry.

Sorry.

It's painful, Anita.

Good job.

It's painful.

TIM WONNACOTT (VOICEOVER): Oh dear, four pounds of loss.

Anita, what do I know about Scottish buyers?

Not a lot.

I lost four pounds, but I bought something for the home market, and I tried.

TIM WONNACOTT (VOICEOVER): Yes, he sure did.

Now cue the last item of the day, Anita's mahogany tabletop billiards board.

The item that could lose me all this profit is coming up.

You're having a party, this is exactly what you need.

What is that, Anita?

STRUAN ROBERTSON: 100 pounds.

90, 80, 80 pounds.

Party time.

STRUAN ROBERTSON: 80 pounds.

80.

Advance at 80.

85.

Advance at 85.

90, advance at 90.

95.

110.

Advance at 110, 120.

Advance at 120.

Advance at 130.

Oh.

Oh, Anita, my.

Shh.

STRUAN ROBERTSON: Advance at 130.

All out then at 140, an advance at 140.

You've done it.

You've done it.

140.

STRUAN ROBERTSON: 140 pounds.

At 140 pounds, last chance at 140.

There wasn't a price on that, and I had 140 pounds.

And I thought that's what it was worth.

TIM WONNACOTT (VOICEOVER): Today, it just wasn't worth more.

That's her third lot to break even.

And despite two small profits, the commission is going to sting.

One more auction to go.

I'm still in it, Anita.

.

I'm still in it.

Are you going to go for it, Charlie?

I'm going to go for it, baby.

Let's go.

Let's go.

[MUSIC PLAYING] TIM WONNACOTT (VOICEOVER): Anita was riding high with 410 pounds, but those sale room charges have landed her with a net loss today of 60 pounds and 68 P. And her piggy now contains 349 pounds and 32 pence.

While Charles started out with 267 pounds and 74 pence, but a mixed bag of profits and losses have cost him 22 pounds and 2 P after auction fees.

However, that makes him a winner today with 245 pounds and 72 pence for next time.

Charlie, there's still one more leg to go, and it could all change again.

Never over till it's over.

TIM WONNACOTT (VOICEOVER): The roller coaster continues.

[MUSIC PLAYING]