Image: BBC Press
By Jon Donnis
BBC Scotland's long-running rural affairs programme Landward reaches a major milestone this spring, celebrating half a century on air with a special anniversary episode that looks back at its remarkable history.
First broadcast on 4 April 1976 from BBC Aberdeen, where it is still produced today by BBC Studios, Landward grew out of the earlier Farm Forum programmes on radio and television. Originally described as Scotland's farming programme, the debut episode ran for 25 minutes and featured reports from the National Farmers' Union conference alongside a focus on suckling cattle.
In those early years, the show aired every other Sunday at lunchtime, quickly finding its place with audiences across both rural and urban Scotland. Over time, it became a familiar and trusted presence, reflecting the changing face of the countryside while staying rooted in its original purpose.
The upcoming anniversary episode delves into the programme's extensive archive, with previously lost material now rediscovered and digitised from original film reels. Some of this footage has not been seen for more than four decades, offering a rare glimpse into Landward's past.
Presenter Dougie Vipond revisits the programme's history by meeting key figures from its early days, including first presenter Ross Muir. He also speaks with former series producer Arthur Anderson, who played a significant role in expanding the show's focus beyond farming to include wider aspects of rural life such as wildlife, nature and environmental issues.
The special will also feature a compilation of past presenters, bringing together familiar faces including Dan Buglass, Ben Coutts, Eric Robson, Linsday Cannon, Nancy Nicolson, Euan McIllwraith, Ken Rundle, Nick Nairn, Sarah Mack, Claire Powell and John Harle. Nick Nairn joins Vipond for a conversation reflecting on changes within the industry, including the move towards direct selling of farm produce, alongside their own memories of working on the programme.
Across five decades, Landward has steadily broadened its scope. What began as a specialist farming series has grown to cover major developments affecting rural Scotland, from land reform and historic buyouts to animal disease outbreaks, renewable energy and the impact of Covid.
The anniversary episode concludes with Vipond meeting the current presenting team as they share their own standout moments, linking past and present in a programme that continues to evolve.
The celebrations will extend across the spring series, with further revisits to archive material alongside updates that connect earlier stories to the present day.
Louise Thornton, Head of Commissioning at BBC Scotland, reflected on the achievement, highlighting the programme's long-standing focus on the people, landscapes and issues shaping the countryside, as well as its role as a consistent and trusted voice for audiences over the years.
The new series of Landward begins at 8.30 pm on Thursday 2 April on BBC Scotland and will also be available on iPlayer.
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