MICHAEL Palin has suggested people in the UK should travel to Northern Scotland after lockdown, even if no coronavirus vaccine becomes available. 

When asked by Andrew Marr what people should do if they cannot have a summer holiday abroad this year, the comedian said people should "travel less and travel better".

He added: "If we have to be confined to travelling in UK, it's not a bad place to travel, all sorts of wonderfull places, different landscapes, different atmospheres, Northern Scotland, Cornwall.

"Go to places and learn more about them, and enjoy them more, find out more about your own country because I think it's going to be very difficult for people right across the world to actually travel again – as they did before; until we find a vaccine, nobody is going to pack people into airplanes, there is going to be no cheap and cheerful flights around the world," he continued.

"So I think narrowing your horizons is not necessarily a bad thing ... learn to enjoy your own country. Travelling is not exotic but it can be local but just as inspirational I think."

The 76-year-old also said it is "unfair" to say all over-70s are at high risk of the virus.

"I think you've got to be careful," he added.

Planes are currently grounded in the UK, with the FCO still advising against all but essential travel and warning other countries might impose travel restrictions without notice.