A University of the West of Scotland (UWS) academic has been casting his expert eye over some of Scotland’s top holiday hotspots as part of a hit BBC TV show.

Dr Masood Khodadadi, a lecturer in Tourism and Events Management is part of a seven-strong judging panel on Scotland’s Greatest Escape.

The eight-part series – hosted by comedian and wrestler Grado – travels the length and breadth of the country to find the ultimate holiday getaway.

The judges on Scotland’s Greatest Escape, with Masood on the right hand side of the photo

ABOVE: The Scotland's Greatest Escape judging panel and presenter Grado, Masood is on the right hand side (Photographer: Jamie Simpson, Copyright: Red Sky Productions/BBC Scotland)

Each week, the judges visit three holiday locations: from luxurious retreats to adventure breaks to foodie favourites.

At the end of the competition, they will decide which destination should be awarded the title of Scotland’s greatest escape; assessing each by four key criteria: accommodation, activities on offer, customer service and overall experience.

Masood said: “It was a fantastic experience to be part of this show, and to have the opportunity to see first-hand just how much Scotland has to offer.

“We all know that Scotland is a beautiful country, and the series really highlights how much there is to see and do.

“It wasn’t easy to select a winner – and you’ll just have to watch the show to find out what we selected. Needless to say, the competition was incredibly competitive!”

Scotland’s Greatest Escape begins on BBC Scotland and iPlayer on Wednesday 28 February, and Masood’s first episode will air on Wednesday 6 March.