Ok it's all done and working a day late. Managed to sort this last night.
Action shots for reference. Messy hack job but was fun which makes a change.
If you do this, take the picprog package from the github site - that one works with the latest Arduino crap.
Breadboard. LM317L generates a 13v supply dropped from my bench PSU. My bench PSU drifts +/-1v at the moment due to a dicky resistor somewhere so I don't trust it. Set it high, drop it via LM317. BC547 switches programming voltage. Carefully checked for no ground loops and shorts via laptop - make sure you do this.
Mess created:
Victory:
5 PICs programmed. Life is good.