Original subtitles

Oh, Mr. Fabian.

I'm sorry I have to tell you this to catch the bat, eh?

Are you not proud, then?

Oh, Gavin. Yes?

As far as the hydro scheme's concerned, it's just like everything else. There

are two points of view. The Labour point of view and the Tory point of view.

Of course, as far as the Tory point of view goes, you can have your choice.

You can have the official Tory or the independent Tory.

Andrew?

The reporter from the Herald's arrived.

Who's he?

She.

No word yet from Sir James?

No.

We really do need to get a move on. We've had little enough press coverage

is. I know, I know. But if Father arrives and there's no one there to meet

him... I'll send the cast straight back down to the station.

I'd rather hope to meet him myself.

Break the news gently.

Oh, well.

Let's go and meet the press.

Her name's Jarvis.

Anne Jarvis.

Jarvis. Andrew Mingus.

Good of you to come.

Good of you to meet you, Mingus.

We're just over here.

Do you know this part of the country well?

Oh, no. I'm a city girl. I get nervous when I can't hear the sound of traffic.

Alan, let me help you up.

All right?

Clear house.

Would you hold on a minute, please, sir?

I'll be off then.

I won't be too long.

Clay?

Why do you have to be such a bear about this?

It's only a matter of a few leaflets.

Andrew deserves our support.

Flora asked me... You have no right to ask.

Oh, don't be so stupid. Of course she had a right.

She has the right to her political opinions, yes.

She has no right to force them upon us, though. Who, us? I'm the one delivering

the leaflets.

Aye. But I never thought I'd see the day when any wife of mine would go

campaigning for a Tory.

Mrs. Sutherland, I presume?

That's me, sir.

Mrs. McKenzie's still away, then? Yes, sir. Our sister's poorly.

Welcome home, sir.

Thank you.

How nice to see you again. Remember me?

How was your journey, sir?

Not very pleasant, I'm afraid.

It's been retiring.

Tell me, Mrs. Sutherland, where is my son?

You've just missed him, Sir James.

Missed him? Some reporter lady from Glasgow turned up.

Himself and Mrs. McInnes went out with her.

I see.

I tried to catch them whenever I got word of your arrival, but a bit too

They were away.

I'm sorry, Sir James.

No, no, no, no, Mrs. Evelyn. It's not your fault.

I take it that I'm still in my old room.

Of course you are, Sir James.

I've got it all ready for you.

Would you care for a wee lie down?

Yes, I would like to rest for an hour or so.

Should my son return in the meantime, please be good enough to call me.

I'll do that, of course, Sir, but I feel I'll not be back for a while.

This is it.

Now, the hydro board intend to build a huge dam here.

And so flood this glen.

Then transfer the water by means of a pipeline to a power station which will

built down there somewhere.

According to the hydro board, this could be accomplished with the minimum amount

of environmental damage.

Depends what you mean by the minimum.

But what do you mean, Meter?

I mean no environmental damage whatsoever, but that's not the whole

is the issue?

Look here, Miss Jarvis.

The Strathclyde Estate.

is a business.

It employs people.

And its welfare is of the utmost importance for the life of this

Now, over the past couple of years, we've been developing this business

certain lines.

Such as?

Expanding our recreational facilities mainly.

Grouse, deer, salmon. Salmon?

That's why the river is important?

It's not just the fishing rights, Miss Jarvis.

This place is a natural wilderness, teeming with wildlife, ornithologists,

naturalists. I see.

But about the election, you're standing as an independent conservative?

Yes, I am.

How does your father, Sir James, feel about that?

Well, I really think you must ask him that question.

Sir James is a well -known supporter of Mr Churchill.

He can't be happy about you fighting to unseat a conservative.

We're not trying to unseat a conservative.

We're trying to elect one.

Okay.

Tell me, what relevance could this little local issue have to 95 % of this

constituency? This little local issue, as you put it, will have grave

consequences for the rest of the constituency.

It has been suggested that you're just trying to hang on to your land.

Yes, I don't deny it, though I should perhaps remind you that my father is the

owner of the estate.

It doesn't look as if a dam here would affect all that many houses or farms.

Aren't you just being rather futile?

And call it what you like, Miss Jarvis.

We have a responsibility to our tenants.

Put that down.

Ah, delicious.

You'll have been ready for that, Acer.

Do you know, Mrs Sutherland, if there is one thing that it is virtually

impossible to obtain in the United States, it's a decent cup of tea. I'll

leave the pot there, so you can help yourself.

Splendid.

Oh, before I go, Sir James, if you were thinking of using the bathroom at any

time, I'd be most grateful if you'd let me know.

Why on earth should I do that?

It's the water, you see, sir.

We've been having terrible problems with the water. Absolutely shocking.

We keep getting cut off.

Really? They have all sorts of excuses.

But I've seen scant evidence of drought in these parts.

Anyway, the thing is, if we do get turned off and you're having a bath, I

have enough water for the cooking.

How very inconvenient for you. Indeed it is, sir.

Don't worry, Mr Sutherland.

I'll remember.

Thank you, sir.

Just rig it if you need me.

Aye,

aye, Cuddebake.

It's only cold.

The nights are drawn in.

It's a long time of the year, I always think.

Still plenty of work to do, though, eh? I have a roof that needs mending before

the winter.

I was holding it till the weekend when Robert gets back.

What sort of job do you want to tackle on your own, eh? Oh, you're right there.

The only thing is, Robert's not coming home this weekend.

Would you like me to come over?

Oh, I'd be obliged. Thanks.

No bother.

Tomorrow. Bye. Bye.

Silver's still busy. No,

not him. He's got other fish to fry.

Who's that?

That lassie Fancy. It's only natural,

eh? Just as long as she doesn't keep him off his studies.

Natural history.

another year at college.

Yes.

I've got another two.

I don't know if I can wait that long.

Do we have to?

No, we don't have to.

Well, no.

I don't know much about you.

Don't you know enough?

You know, where they come from and all that.

Does it matter?

Just curious, that's all.

Well... You know what curiosity did, don't you?

Seriously,

though.

Do you go home a lot? See your parents?

Well, you do have parents, don't you?

They travel a lot.

Abroad?

Well, do you have any brothers or sisters?

Does any of this matter?

No. Just interested.

Why don't you come and meet them?

When?

It's not far from here. We could go now if you like.

Yeah, why not?

Come on, then.

Father.

Marvellous to see you.

Good morning, Andrew.

You're looking well.

Welcome home, Sir James.

Thank you, Flora. I'm sorry there was no -one there at the station to meet you.

If it happens... That's perfectly all right. Mrs Sutherland's explained.

What do you think of Mrs Sutherland?

Charming woman.

Very nice.

We were lucky to get her, with Mrs Mackenzie being called away at such

notice. Quite.

Well, how was your journey, Sir James?

I thought flying was supposed to be relaxing.

It isn't. It was extremely tiring.

How's Mother?

Oh, she's perfectly well.

Good.

Good.

Well, I have a lot of things to do, so I'll catch up later.

No, stay, Flora. Please.

You're not happy with my campaign?

I most certainly am not.

Well, I'm sorry, but there really was nothing else to be done. I find that

hard to believe. Let me explode. This really is the limit, Andrew, the

limit. Quite apart from making an utter act of yourself, it is an act of gross

betrayal. Walter Barker is the party's candidate. He's one of us.

That doesn't give him the right to... It gives him the right to expect your

loyalty. That's what's at stake here.

No, that's not what's at stake.

What's at stake is the future of this estate, this community.

Our family has always been loyal.

There are certain values in which we believe.

You're just not listening, are you?

Andrew... I'm trying to stop the Glen being flooded.

You're ready to see this place change irrevocably for the worse for the sake

an outmoded, misguided concept.

What about loyalty to our tenants? Andrew, that is not what I am talking

and you know it. I'm making my stand on this with you in my way, Father, not

yours. And don't talk to me about loyalty.

Well, then, everybody, lunch is served.

Thank you, Mrs. Sutherland.

Hello.

A good day?

Not bad.

And a visit from McCree. Oh, really?

What's he want?

Company, I think.

He's meeting Robert.

Get rid of all your leaflets.

I've done my bit.

And that's the end of it, then?

Oh.

All right, yes.

Flora asked me as a special favour. If she asks again, just tell her the

answer's no, all right?

What? This is a labour house. The Tories get nothing from us.

Alec, you can't tell... No arguments, Jenny.

That's the way it's got to be.

Business doing so well you can afford to work part -time, eh?

Soon I may not have a business at all.

Just so long as you keep up with the rent.

So, so stranger.

Hello, Ma.

Who's this?

A friend of mine, Ma.

Robert Sinclair.

A flatty. No, Ma, he's... No, I'm no a flatty.

I'm for the cow.

Did you teach him that?

No, Ma.

Are you staying?

No. It's just a quick visit.

There's tea made.

I have to finish this.

Come on inside.

You know where Flatty is?

Aye. Flatty's a townie.

In the cowl of country folk.

I just about remember.

How?

My father.

Why did you not tell me your family were travellers?

My father grew up on a border farm and my mother's a full -blooded gypsy.

Does it make a difference?

No.

Tansy!

I have to start the meal now.

Right, Ma.

What is with the cry?

Why don't you take your friend to meet him?

Come on, Robert.

Cry?

Horses?

It's what my father does.

Hey,

Martin, look who's coming.

Hi, Tancy.

Who's the gadget?

College boy, is he?

Shut up, Mark.

I've been evil at that, Tancy. Wait a minute. Enough of that.

What? Get your hands off her. Robert.

Look, I said get your hands off her.

Who do you think you're talking to?

Get him, Mark.

Get him.

No.

Hold that, laddie.

He's my brother.

And this is my father.

Never knew you'd had the meeting today.

Did you not tell him you'd fixed up a loan?

So?

They lost the contract.

It's not the end of the world.

They don't trust me.

What? It's the old story.

They don't trust the foreigner carrying out their work.

Oh, don't be stupid.

How am I stupid?

They're businessmen, Humberto. Somebody obviously offered them a better deal.

Nobody could do it cheaper.

They just don't trust me.

That's all.

Well, I trust you.

Here, that's for you.

£1 ,000.

What is this?

Told you I meant it.

I don't need this now, thank you.

Oh, God, you do.

I lost the contract.

You still need money for the business.

Umberto, please take it. Come on, I want you to have it.

Why do you want me to have this, eh? So I can depend on you, so I can be in your

debt again.

Buy me.

What I don't understand is how did you get to art college?

Did they not mind about that?

They accepted it after a while.

Did they support you?

You're joking.

Well, how do you survive?

I manage.

I get a grant.

One thing about the travelling life, it teaches you how to survive.

What, like making baskets and mending pots?

No, how to be independent.

Just as well you won the prize at Strathblair, then, eh?

Aye. The money comes in handy.

Do you know how you got away with it first place?

I had to fight for it, didn't I?

Fight? I ran away several times till my father got tired of coming after me.

But they accept it now?

Sort of.

I don't see them that often anyway.

So your granddad's a farmer, is he?

Aye, that's right.

Good place, isn't it?

No, no, very low.

Midland, I suppose.

Could be well -placed, then.

How's that?

Well, I mean... Farmers.

Never heed him, Robert.

He thinks all farmers are ruling in it.

What does he do?

He's gone for it. He's just a tenant, Mark.

A tenant?

Aye, up in the Strathblair estate.

Strathblair, is it?

Well, our weekend's draft glare, all right.

Aye, we've been through it a couple of times.

Aye, we'll be up there again soon.

Are we up to the river? Matty.

What? It's all your mangan. Oh, I've paid. Shut up, I've paid.

Aye, there's some good fishing up there.

Do you fish yourself?

Hear you?

I've only known him for a few weeks.

Lucky period for you to bring him home.

What do you think of him?

Paragaji.

There. That should keep the rain out.

How much of life's here, Kirby?

Can I offer you a dram?

Or is it too early for you?

It's a bit early, but I don't suppose a wee one will do any harm.

All right, I've got it.

I see your wife's been out campaigning for the Major.

Aye. Uh -huh.

Are you happy about that?

No. I want labour to continue.

Oh, but Ballantyne is no crank here, though.

He's a Labour candidate, that's all I need to know.

And we're splitting the Tory vote.

Oh, he's a smart enough lad, right enough.

He'll get my vote.

Make a gesture.

So you'll no be voting for the Major then, Bubby?

Oh, he has less chance than Ballantyne.

Mind you, I'm old enough to know that elections never change anything.

You think not?

Yeah, not very much.

Take this hydro business, for instance.

They tried it before.

Did they? When was that?

Back in the 20s.

I'll get something about it in the house, if you're interested.

Fine.

No, no, leave that. I'll get it later.

And how are you this morning, Sir James?

Bad -tempered and exhausted.

Everything here has gone to pot, Laura.

You can't mean the plant.

No, no, no, of course not on the plant.

Although when Mrs. Sutherland told me about this water shortage, I must say I

had a detractable concern.

So why, Mr. James, do you always take great care of your plants?

Did you put Andrew up for this election, nunces?

I'm not his keeper.

Andrew makes his own decisions.

Does he?

I wouldn't marry a man who didn't.

No, of course not.

I beg your pardon, my dear.

I must admit to feeling slightly horrified when he first wrote the

not surprised.

But the more I think about this, the more convinced I am that Andrew has to

it. Andrew's campaign won't affect the issue in the slightest.

Even if he was to win, which would need a miracle, it won't stop the hydro

board. I know that, Sir James. So does Andrew.

Then why is he fighting this election?

Because he feels, and I'm bound to say I agree with him, that some things are

worth fighting for.

If Andrew can demonstrate he has substantial local support, then it might

embarrass the powers that be to abandon the project.

What if he loses his deposit?

Well... It's too much of a gamble, Flora. One worth taking, I think.

In any case, there's nothing else we can do.

I cannot be persuaded about that.

Although, wait a moment.

Yeah, this is some collection, Mulberry.

It's not nearly as big as it could be.

There's an awful lot of history round about here, you know.

Let me check and see.

Ah, here we are.

Caused a great deal of excitement at the time.

But nothing came of it.

Why? What happened?

What do you think?

Slange? Slange.

And the old lad stopped it.

Well, no chance of that happening this time, eh?

I wouldn't be so sure about that.

They tell me he's back.

Sir George Gilmore, please.

James Menges.

Gilmore, my dear friend, how are you?

Oh, I'm fine.

Yes, yes, I was, just for a short visit.

No, I haven't, not this time.

She's very well. Now, look, George, I was wondering if you and I could get

together. Could you come up to the house for lunch sometime later in the week?

No, no, no, no. It'll be just the two of us.

Wednesday?

Splendid.

Oh, about 12 .30, I guess.

Excellent.

I'll give you all the news then.

Goodbye.

Ah, Mrs. Sutherland.

You asked me to advise you of my intentions.

I am now doing so.

Yes, Sir James.

I intend to take a bath, if that's all right with you.

Indeed it is, sir.

Thank you for letting me know.

Hello?

Hello, Jenny.

I'm going to go looking for Flora.

Who's that?

Um, me.

Can I have a word with you?

Yes, of course.

Is there anything more that I can do to help?

In what way?

Well, with the campaign. I've done my leaflets.

Well, um... Do you know how to work a duplicating machine?

Oh, yes. I should think so.

This is the election address.

We'll need several thousand copies.

Is that all?

Do your best.

I'm afraid my staff have deserted me this afternoon.

If you need more paper, there's some in the cupboard just here.

Fine.

How's Alec?

Oh, he's fine.

Busy, is he?

Very.

Well, I'll leave you to it, if you don't mind.

Gives me an opportunity of doing a bit more canvassing.

It's all right.

I can manage.

Jenny. Thanks very much.

George, my dear fellow, how good of you to come.

Morning, Mingus.

You're looking well, I must say.

Well, Lord, are you not? Ah, and the grounds are looking marvellous.

If you left those incapable hands...

Thought I'd get started.

That boy of yours, Mingus.

Making things damned awkward, you know.

Nothing very new in that, I'm afraid.

Can't say I totally disagree with him, mind you, but going about things

the wrong way.

Look, Gilmore, I didn't invite you for lunch to talk about the election.

Sorry, old chap. Thought you did.

Difficult to think about anything else at the moment.

Well, I think perhaps you should.

Council matters, Gilmore.

Oh, yes.

I've had an idea.

One which I think might help to solve one of the county council's most

problems.

Water.

Hmm?

Well, that... wasn't too bad.

It wasn't too good, though.

Alec, I'm sorry I spent so long away, but I'm not sorry for anything else.

I know.

I can't help it if you're angry.

I'm not angry. I'm just disappointed.

Why?

Because this election's not a game, Jenny.

It's not a matter of supporting the local team against the visitor.

Yes, I know that. It's more important than that.

Think of all the things that Labour have done in the past six years.

The NHS.

Full employment.

Nationalisation. I know. It's not about that up here. Yes, it is.

The Hydro scheme is for the good of everybody. We need power.

But we need food.

We won't be affected by that. But even if we were, it wouldn't make any

difference. Even the Tories, and God knows I don't go along with many of

ideas, even they support this scheme.

The Major is purely putting his private interests before the common good.

If you really think that...

There's not much point in going on with this.

Ah, well, that suits me fine.

Oh, you're back.

Ripped me last week, did you?

That will do the day.

And how was college this past couple of weeks?

It was all right.

How's Tansy?

Don't worry, I'm working.

She's coming up tomorrow.

For the day?

For the weekend.

Then where's she going to stay?

Here.

Well, she went with that recruit -making letter.

Oh. Is she, indeed?

I've met her family.

All right. It doesn't take you long to get your feet below the table.

She comes from country folk.

Her father was brought up on a barber's farm.

Oh, was he?

Only they firmly rejected him when he married a gypsy.

I'll put the kettle on, eh?

Coming to the meeting tonight, Robert.

Oh, no, mate.

I've got better things to do.

How about you, Ambato?

Take my advice. Don't get mixed up with all these things. Just leave the

trouble.

I think my dad likes you.

Does he?

He doesn't say much.

He never does.

And wherever possible, we are pledged to use local materials and to employ local

people. This is a fundamental element of the board's strategy.

At River Raidgan, as elsewhere in the Highlands, the object of the exercise is

to generate not just electricity, but opportunity.

The kind of opportunity...

that can only come from economic growth.

Thank you, Mr Cunningham. And now the prospective parliamentary candidate,

standing as an independent conservative, Major Andrew Minghies.

Thank you, Mr Forbes.

Splendid, Gilmour, absolutely splendid.

I'll tell you, Andrew, I'm sure you'll be as delighted as I am.

Oh, entirely between ourselves, of course.

And thank you again.

Good night.

Mr Cunningham says the scheme will generate jobs.

But these jobs will not go to you, the people of Strathblair.

And the influx of workers and navvies and their families into this rural area

will, I believe, result in serious damage to our community.

As MP for this constituency, you the people know that I would never support

scheme which would be to your detriment.

Yes, the scheme will bring people into the area, and they'll spend money in

shops, which will mean growth and prosperity for you.

I am all for jobs, but not at any cost. At any cost to you, Major Mingus.

I suspect that you're not in favour of any scheme which would result in any

to you personally.

If, if we were to sell the land to the Hydro Board, It would benefit our

financial situation no end.

But I believe we have something of value here, something that's worth holding on

to. We have a duty to run the estate for the mutual benefit of the estate and

the tenant.

As long as you benefit the most.

You have your chance in a moment, Mr Ballantyne.

You're professing concern for your tenants, but didn't you tell me the

that your main concern was, and I quote, improving our recreational facilities,

grouse, deer, salmon?

Yes, but... Wouldn't it be fair to say, Major Mingus, that you put the interests

of a sporting elite before the energy needs of the country?

No, it wouldn't be fair to say that.

I do not believe that an enlarged community is necessarily a good thing.

But does a slightly larger community have to be worth what this community

A job?

And prosperity.

And by returning me as your Member of Parliament on the 25th of October, you

will get prosperity.

Mr.

Ballantyne.

The government, the Labour government, is responsible for the Hydro Initiative.

And I'm delighted that Mr Barker supports our plans to bring prosperity

Scotland. Mr Ballantyne, may I remind you that this is not an election

What is so wrong with incomers and navvies anyway? These workers built all

roads and railways without inconveniencing any communities.

Does Major Mingus object to electrical engineers, maintenance workers and cheap

clean power for everyone?

I am not against progress and prosperity.

Ah, your own prosperity.

How much land does one family really need?

You want to keep all your land to be populated by serfs who do what they're

told.

Speaking as one of those serfs...

I think you're ignoring the essential service that something like the

estate can provide.

By renting homes that people otherwise wouldn't be able to buy, you're allowing

people to farm the land.

It's a question of the natural growth of a local economy.

What you're suggesting is forced feeding from the outside.

I hope

nobody here is going to call me.

an outsider.

Mr. Farmer, I think I know a thing or two about natural growth.

As far as this community is concerned, well, we've always been fairly good at

taking care of ourselves.

I have a question for Mr. Cunningham.

This hydro scheme, when are these developments likely to take place?

We're still in the very early stages, but the government supports the scheme.

The Conservative Party have reservations.

but are certainly not opposed.

Only Major Mingus seems to have some objections.

Major Mingus's political intervention is ill -advised and bound to fail.

The hydro scheme will go ahead. Of that I am convinced.

But rest assured, there will be a consultation process.

And as your Member of Parliament, I intend to play a very significant part

that. No one, after all, is suggesting that we offer the Hydro Board a blank

cheque. I will ensure that the rights of the people of this community are

respected.

many sources of power, apart from water, atomic power, for instance.

Clean, cheap hydropower will be better for all of us, rather than power

generated by burning filthy, cold, dug -in, dangerous mines.

And an even greater possible danger from atomic power. Who wants an accidental

Hiroshima?

I'd like to ask you a question, Major.

Apart from the hydroelectric scheme, is there any other issue in which you

differ from the official Tory party manifesto?

Well, first let me say... I know the question!

No, there isn't.

The Major, of which you respect, is doing the party which he claims to

and this community, and his country, no good at all.

This is a foolish gesture on this platform.

He should take his cause elsewhere and not split the party.

Don't bother.

Aye, aye.

So you found your way all right then?

I just made some cocoa. Do you want some?

No. I think I'll just get off to bed.

How was the meeting?

Oh.

Where is this young lady going to sleep?

I'll make a bed up down here.

What's the matter with you, boy?

I'll be all right there, Mr McRae.

She'll sleep in your room and you can sleep down here.

Good night to you both.

Thought you'd be in bed.

I had some meetings to do.

I'll get up in a minute.

Can I get you a refill?

Why not?

How did the meeting go?

Awful.

One of the worst nights of my life.

Why? What happened?

My own fault, I'm afraid.

I allowed myself to be manipulated.

Well, that's politics for you.

Look, Andrew, I know you think I've been pretty unconcerned about this hydro

business, but I do care, you know.

Of course you do. And I do understand your point of view, only you've been

about things in entirely the wrong way.

Please, not tonight. I really can't... Now, look, let me finish, let me finish.

I believe I've come up with a solution to the problem.

How do you mean? I received word tonight that the county council had passed a

motion that ought to stop the scheme dead in its tracks.

The county council?

How can they do that?

At a special emergency meeting this evening, they passed a resolution in

of promoting a provisional order under the Private Legislation Procedures Act.

What does that mean?

They intend to develop the River Reithgen as a water resource for the

county.

By this method, they can prevent it being used for any other purpose.

I see.

Who provoked that, I wonder?

Well, it was my idea, actually.

George Gilmore and I worked out the details over lunch the other day.

You put them up to it, you mean?

Incredible. We're supposed to be living in a democracy, Father, or hadn't you

noticed? I thought you'd be delighted.

You can withdraw from the election.

No. No, I can't. Why not? You think you can circumvent the political process by

doing backdoor deals with your friends. Does Walter Barker know about this yet?

Andrew, don't be so naive.

Well, I'm not going to collaborate with that, Father.

I refuse to give you the satisfaction.

Andrew! Good night.

What is it?

There's someone outside.

What?

Who? I'm not sure.

What is it?

Don't know?

Oh, wow.

I assumed you might not like tea.