Image for Castle CommandoNot currently available on BBC iPlayer

Duration: 1 hour

In January 1942, the historic Achnacarry Estate was transformed into a wartime paramilitary academy. In four years of operation, 25,000 men came to the Scottish Highlands to endure the world's toughest infantry training course.

Narrated by Rory Bremner, Castle Commando looks back on the larger-than-life characters that helped shape Winston Churchill's legendary raiding troops. Veterans remember how the ferocious Highland landscape was the perfect environment for the most exacting, most gruelling military training of World War II.

Last on

Tue 3 Apr 2012 19:00 BBC Two Northern Ireland, Wales only

  • Major James Dunning and Donald Cameron of Lochiel

    Major James Dunning and Donald Cameron of Lochiel

    Jimmy Dunning, former instructor at Achnacarry (left) seated with Donald Cameron of Lochiel, Chief of Clan Cameron and owner of Achnacarry. Picture taken at Achnacarry Castle, nr Spean Bridge. Jimmy Dunning, from Southampton, was a ‘fieldcraft’ instructor at Achnacarry, teaching recruits how to survive and strike out from hostile terrain.

Credits

Narrator
Rory Bremner
Director
Andy Twaddle
Executive Producer
Neil McDonald
Writer
Andy Twaddle

Broadcasts

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