Welcome back to Scotland Remembers. In this first of three episodes on the Battle of the Somme, Alexander explores the monumental build-up to 1 July 1916 — a day of unfathomable loss and enduring legacy.

While history remembers the tragedy of that first assault, this episode uncovers the lesser-told story: the immense logistical feat behind the lines. From building railways and hauling shells to tending the wounded and patching the roads, the British Army — including thousands of Scots — proved it could sustain a modern war.

This is the story of the unsung heroes whose labour made the battle possible — and of how Scotland helped carry the weight of one of the Great War’s most defining offensives.

The introduction is an extract from "Somme" by Lyn Macdonald.

Welcome back to Scotland Remembers. In this episode, Alexander reflects on his moving experience at the 80th anniversary of D-Day and takes us deeper into the brutal fighting that followed the landings in June 1944.

We turn our focus to the 15th (Scottish) Infantry Division — the “Scottish Lions” — and their pivotal role in the Allied push inland. From the fields of Lowland and Highland Scotland to the hedgerows of Normandy, this division fought with courage, tradition, and tenacity in the drive towards Caen.

With stories of pipers in combat, the fierce battles around Hill 112, and a hidden link between Scottish troops and Easy Company of Band of Brothers fame, this episode continues our journey through the human heart of the Second World War and the fight for Normandy and the liberation of Europe.

On 6th June 1944, the skies over Normandy were filled with gliders, bombers, and parachutes. On the ground, the beaches were filled with courage and heroism. In this episode of Scotland Remembers, Alexander tells the Scottish story of D-Day — from airborne engineers and commandos at Pegasus Bridge to the soldiers, chaplains, and drivers who never came home. Through personal wills, battlefield accounts, and acts of quiet heroism, we remember the Scots who helped launch the liberation of Europe.