Paul Murton was born in 1957 in Scotland and grew up in Ardentinny, Argyll, on the shores of Loch Long. His parents ran a small hotel in the area, and his upbringing surrounded by Scotland’s natural landscape shaped his later passion for travel and history documentaries.

Before entering broadcasting, Murton spent a gap year working as a mobile lighthouse keeper for the Northern Lighthouse Board, serving at several Scottish lighthouses including Corsewall and Tarbat Ness. This experience deepened his fascination with the sea, weather, and coastal heritage.

Murton eventually moved into film and television production. He directed several television dramas including Bramwell, The Bill, Casualty, and River City. His transition to on-screen presenting came in 2007 when he presented the historical documentary series Scotland’s Clans.

He later became widely known for presenting BBC Scotland travel documentaries such as Grand Tours of Scotland, Grand Tours of the Scottish Islands, and Grand Tours of Scotland’s Lochs. These programmes air primarily on BBC Scotland / BBC One Scotland and explore the country’s landscapes and history.