Travellers

Scottish Travellers: Sammy, Donald, Christine and Bella

Travellers have been the focus of some intense media scrutiny recently, but what’s life really like for Travellers in Scotland?

This two-part observational documentary series is the culmination of nine months filming with two families - headed by Sammy Stewart and his brother-in-law Donald (above) - who hold to the travelling life rather than ‘settle’. The families agreed to be filmed despite the fact that many Travellers rarely talk to anyone outside their community.

The series follows them over a travelling season as they and their families move from urban Travellers’ sites, to contested pitches, to rural encampments, meeting various people and attitudes along the way, including ongoing friction with ‘the settled community’ and police attention.

As narrator Brian Cox says:
"For generations, travelling people have been part of Scottish life…
"But as each year passes it’s a way of life that’s more difficult to sustain…
"Sammy and Donald are Travellers. They are not Romany Gypsies or Roma, and they haven’t come from Romania, India or Ireland. They are Scottish – and they are Scots who have a distinct culture, one that they are committed to preserve.
"And the most important part of their life is to travel."