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How the highlands of Scotland made an ideal military training ground during World War II. Murdo Macdonald revisits this dramatic part of military history.

Many of Britain’s fighting units were trained in the Highlands, including the Commandos and agents of the Special Operations Executive. Overseas troops trained here too, including Americans, Czechs and Norwegians. They came here to be put through their paces in the highland glens, rivers and mountains.
From stately homes across Arisaig and Morar to Achnacarry Castle and Glenmore Lodge near Aviemore, troops were trained in weapon handling, demolition skills, amphibious landings, cliff assault and unarmed combat.

Murdo travels to the locations where they trained, finds out about the pioneers of special forces training and tries out some of the revolutionary methods used to turn ordinary men into extraordinary soldiers.

Tron Dara Cogadh, bha a’Ghaidhealtachd air leth freagarrach airson trèanadh shaighdeirean ann an sgilean ùra sabaid. Cluinnidh Murchadh Dòmhnallach mun earrann seo de dh’eachdraidh an airm - is feuchaidh e fhèin na sgilean aca.

Chan e mhàin na Commandos, ach buidhnean còmhraig eile a fhuair trèanadh sònraichtemu thuath. Bha saighdeirean a dùthchanan cèine cuideachd ann: thàinig iad a dh’ionnsachadh sgilean ùra measg nam beann.

Anns na taighean mòra uasal eadar Àrasaig is Mòrar, null gu Caisteal Achadh na Cairidh agus Loids a’Ghlinn Mhòir – dh’ionnsaich iad sabaid aghaidh ri aghaidh, armachd a’laimhseachadh, is faighinn gun fhiosda gu tìr air cladaichean corrach.

Tadhlaidh Murchadh air na h-àitichean san robh iad a’trèanadh, gheibh e mach mun ionnsachadh – is feuchaidh e fhèin air na sgilean àraid a dh-àrdaich saighdeirean àbhaisteach gu bhi nan gaisgich shònraichte.

In Gaelic with English subtitles