A NEW TV series is to examine the landscapes, structures and stories that lie beneath Scotland’s surface.
Produced by MacTV, it will reveal a lesser-seen Scotland, from vast natural cave systems to man-made tunnels, mines and bunkers, uncovering the histories, industries and communities shaped underground.
During the three episodes, presenter Calum Maclean will meet the local experts, historians and communities who help unlock the secrets beneath their feet by exploring ancient geological formations, remnants of wartime strategy and industrial innovation.
The first episode begins in the north west, where Maclean will explore the remarkable cave networks of Applecross.
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At Fort William, the focus will be on the underground engineering that has supported industry, including the Nevis Tunnels and aluminium smelter, and the globally unique
sand mine at Lochaline, which is a rare example of an active underground resource still in use today.
Episode 2 will move across the Highlands and Islands, starting in Assynt, which is part of a Unesco Global Geopark, where dramatic cave systems reveal Scotland’s deep geological past.
From there, Maclean will travel to Orkney to uncover both ancient and modern underground sites, including hidden oil storage tanks beneath Wee Fea Hill linked to Scapa Flow’s naval history.
The episode will conclude with a visit to a Cold War bunker in Inverness, offering a stark reminder of more recent history lived below ground.
The final episode will focus on Central Scotland, where hidden histories lie beneath some of the country’s busiest places. In Edinburgh, author Mairi Kidd will introduce Maclean to lesser-known subterranean stories beneath the city streets.
In Glasgow, he will explore a disused Victorian platform hidden beneath Central Station, before heading to Dunoon where he
will visit the Paper Caves and uncover a story stretching back almost 350 years and tied to the Campbell clan.
Maclean said: “There’s a whole other Scotland beneath our feet that most of us never get to see.
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“What struck me making this series was just how varied it is. We have natural caves that have been there for thousands of years to places shaped by industry, war and survival. Every site has its own story and often those stories are completely unexpected.”
While filming underground can be challenging, MacTV’s Ann Morrison said it was a way of uncovering “extraordinary environments and stories that feel both intimate and cinematic”.
“Working with Calum, we’ve been able to bring these hidden worlds to life in a way that feels engaging and accessible,” she said.
Alba fon Talamh/Scotland Underground begins tomorrow and is available on BBC ALBA and iPlayer
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