The Dark Island
Encyclopedia
The Dark Island is a six part British
television miniseries, produced by Gerard Glaister
for the BBC
. It premièred on 8 July 1962. It was later adapted for radio, which was transmitted in 1969. It was set on the Outer Hebridean
island of Benbecula
, though the majority of the series was filmed on South Uist
.
Nicolson is joined by fellow security operative Grant, and together they investigate the sudden appearance of the torpedo. Their investigations meet with resistance from the locals, and when their investigations lead to a murder, it becomes apparent that someone is trying to conceal something sinister. As Nicolson comes close to learning the truth, he is lured into a trap and is injured. When he comes to, he discovers that Grant has been murdered and he endeavours to find the people responsible. He eventually uncovers an elaborate espionage operation.
and pipers. This beautiful air was originally called "Dr Mackay's Farewell to Creagorry" by its composer, Iain McLachlan. Several sets of words have since been set to it.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
television miniseries, produced by Gerard Glaister
Gerard Glaister
John Leslie "Gerard" Glaister DFC, was a British television producer and director best known for his work with the BBC. Amongst his most notable successes as a TV producer were Colditz, The Brothers, Secret Army and Howards' Way.After studying at RADA, Glaister made his West End debut in 1939...
for the BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
. It premièred on 8 July 1962. It was later adapted for radio, which was transmitted in 1969. It was set on the Outer Hebridean
Outer Hebrides
The Outer Hebrides also known as the Western Isles and the Long Island, is an island chain off the west coast of Scotland. The islands are geographically contiguous with Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, one of the 32 unitary council areas of Scotland...
island of Benbecula
Benbecula
Benbecula is an island of the Outer Hebrides in the Atlantic Ocean off the west coast of Scotland. In the 2001 census it had a usually resident population of 1,249, with a sizable percentage of Roman Catholics. It forms part of the area administered by Comhairle nan Eilean Siar or the Western...
, though the majority of the series was filmed on South Uist
South Uist
South Uist is an island of the Outer Hebrides in Scotland. In the 2001 census it had a usually resident population of 1,818. There is a nature reserve and a number of sites of archaeological interest, including the only location in Great Britain where prehistoric mummies have been found. The...
.
Plot
The plot involves the discovery of a mysterious torpedo found on the shore of Benbecula. A Naval team descends on the area to deal with the torpedo accompanied by Nicolson, an intrigued security officer. Further investigation of the torpedo reveals an international spy kit, the contents of which include a Finnish passport, British and Swedish currency, and most intriguing of all, a fragment of sheet music.Nicolson is joined by fellow security operative Grant, and together they investigate the sudden appearance of the torpedo. Their investigations meet with resistance from the locals, and when their investigations lead to a murder, it becomes apparent that someone is trying to conceal something sinister. As Nicolson comes close to learning the truth, he is lured into a trap and is injured. When he comes to, he discovers that Grant has been murdered and he endeavours to find the people responsible. He eventually uncovers an elaborate espionage operation.
Cast
- Robert HardyRobert HardyTimothy Sydney Robert Hardy, CBE, FSA is an English actor with a long career in the theatre, film and television. He is also an acknowledged expert on the longbow.-Early life:...
— Nicolson - Francis MatthewsFrancis Matthews (actor)-Early life:Matthews attended St Michael's Jesuit College, Leeds and started his acting career with Leeds repertory theatre before service in the Royal Navy.-Career:...
— Grant - Michael BarringtonMichael BarringtonMichael Barrington was a British actor best known for his television work.His most famous role was as the ineffectual Governor Venables in the popular sitcom Porridge alongside Ronnie Barker and Fulton Mackay.He also appeared on the TV programmes Z-Cars, The Avengers, Private Schulz, Adam Adamant...
— Dr. Glenville - Angela Browne — Mary Somers
- Wallace Campbell — Donald MacAulley
- Walter CarrWalter CarrWalter Carr was a British actor.Possibly his best known role was as the mate Dougie in the TV series The Vital Spark.He played Shooey in Lex MacLean's TV series....
— Davy McNeil - James CopelandJames Copeland (actor)James Copeland was a Scottish actor.His lengthy career included the ship's mate in The Maggie, the guide in The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes, Captain Ogilvie in Operation Kilt, an episode of Dad's Army, and the Scottish customer in Camping In, an episode of Are You Being Served?.James Copeland...
— Petty officer - John Forbes-RobertsonJohn Forbes-Robertson (actor)John Forbes-Robertson was a British actor best-known for being the only actor other than Christopher Lee to play the title role in the Hammer horror series of Dracula films....
— Lieutenant - Morag Forsyth — Margaret
- James Gibson — Dr. Mackenzie
- Michael GoldenMichael Golden (actor)-Selected filmography:* Send for Paul Temple * Hungry Hill * Pool of London * Salute the Toff * The Gentle Gunman * The Square Ring * Murder by Proxy * The Green Scarf...
— Swanson - Roy Hanlon — Corporal
- Denis Holmes — Major Williams
- Edward JewesburyEdward JewesburyEdward Jewesbury was a British actor, notable for his film, stage and television work and as a member of the Renaissance Theatre Company. In his later years he appeared in such television comedies as Yes Minister and Blackadder II.His son Ian was a senior civil servant at the UK Department of...
— George Hammond - Cyril LuckhamCyril LuckhamCyril Luckham was a British film, television and theatre actor.Luckham played the White Guardian in the long running science fiction television series Doctor Who. He appeared in The Ribos Operation, the first serial in The Key to Time season, and Enlightenment...
— Brigadier - Alex McCrindleAlex McCrindleAlex McCrindle was a British actor. He is best known for his role as General Jan Dodonna in Star Wars.-Biography:...
— Mr. Stewart - Douglas Murchie — Alec Thomson
- Brydon Murdoch — Ian McLeod
- William Sherwood — Colonel Jamieson
Theme
While the show is no longer seen, the theme tune remains a favourite with Scottish musicians, mostly accordionistsAccordion
The accordion is a box-shaped musical instrument of the bellows-driven free-reed aerophone family, sometimes referred to as a squeezebox. A person who plays the accordion is called an accordionist....
and pipers. This beautiful air was originally called "Dr Mackay's Farewell to Creagorry" by its composer, Iain McLachlan. Several sets of words have since been set to it.