The New Road(1973)

The New Road is a five-part historical drama that follows the construction of General Wade's military roads through the Scottish Highlands in 1733. Adapted from Neil Munro's 1914 novel by Clifford Hanley, the BBC Scotland series explores the collision between traditional Highland culture and the forces of modernization. As engineers push forward with their ambitious infrastructure project, local communities face upheaval and change. The drama captures a pivotal moment in Scottish history when ancient ways of life confronted the inevitability of progress. Originally broadcast on BBC-1 in April 1973, The New Road examines how one engineering feat transformed the landscape and society of the Highlands, offering a nuanced portrait of resistance, adaptation, and cultural shift during a transformative era.