Countryfile presenter and wildlife cameraman Hamza Yassin recently revealed a poignant chapter of his life spent in the remote Scottish Highlands. Known for his work on Countryfile, Let’s Go For A Walk, and his victory on Strictly Come Dancing, Hamza has called the Ardnamurchan peninsula home for 17 years.
Despite living for the past decade in a charming Hebrides-style cottage in a small village of about 150 residents, Hamza’s early days in the area were far from comfortable. Forced to live in a “Vauxhall seven-seater” car for nine months, he navigated the challenges of no heating, no running water, and a general lack of amenities.
After eventually moving into a farmer’s caravan, which still lacked heating and running water, he upgraded to a second caravan where at least running water was available. Hamza candidly shared with The Times that one of his biggest struggles was avoiding being spotted by locals while sleeping in his car. “I was waking up at 8am, pretending I was going on the ferry,” he admitted. “But it turned out they knew all along and just never questioned me.”
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He relied on a local campsite for showers and addressed questions about his experience as a Black man living in the countryside. “The wildlife doesn’t care,” Hamza said. “People were curious, not suspicious. They’d ask, ‘What are you doing here?’”
In a recent Countryfile episode, Hamza also spoke openly about the positive impact of nature on his mental health. While filming orcas off the Caithness coast, he described his work as the “world’s best job,” offering him incredible adventures and memories to cherish. He explained how being outdoors helps clear his mind and brings a profound sense of peace.
“Being in nature stops time,” Hamza reflected. “The sun goes down, and I’ve had an absolutely fantastic day. It’s like meditating—the clutter in my mind just clears.”
Hamza Yassin’s story is a powerful testament to resilience, connection, and the healing power of the natural world.