Then There Was the two-part TV programme...

In August 2009, Scottish Television screened its two-part documentary series The Scots Who Fought Franco.

The programmes paid tribute to the more than 500 Scottish men and women who fought and nursed in the Spanish Civil War. They included previously unseen, unique archive interviews with Scots who joined the International Brigades.

Filmed in the early '90s, these inspiring interviews are personal and moving, and all the more poignant when you realise that today not one of these men remains alive. The last of them, Steve Fullarton, who joined up aged 18, passed away in 2008 aged 88.

Author Daniel Gray, whose book Homage to Caledonia the series was based on, travelled to Spain for the programmes to revisit some of the major battelfields where these men's comrades still lie.

Daniel's book shows the extent to which the Spanish Civil War exerted a hold on the imagination of Scottish people and tells the story of why so many of them were inspired to join the conflict.

The programmes were screened on August 13th and 20th at 9pm, replacing The Bill!

Comments on 'The Scots Who Fought Franco'

"The programmes used interviews recorded with Scots Brigaders in the 1990s, adding faces and voices to courageous and heartrending words. Filming, I was able to visit the conflict arenas that Scots Brigaders I had written about had fought, laughed and died in. If I came across as emotional in the programmes, then that’s because I was." Daniel Gray

“The Scots Who Fought Franco tells the untold story by the brave men who were there, fighting against Fascism with passion, on the front line. I filmed these never-before-seen interviews ten years ago and this project has been a real labour of love for me. I’m absolutely delighted that STV commissioned the series, to help bring these fascinating and inspiring stories to a peak time audience.” Award winning director Don Coutts, director and producer of The Scots Who Fought Franco


“This is a tale of hope, humour, fear and honour and one which I’m confident will capture the imagination of Scots across the country. We’re delighted to be airing these films on STV: we have a vibrant and content-rich schedule, incorporating strong home-grown productions across various genres, popular acquired series and the best of the network material.” Alan Clements, director of content at STV

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