Witch Wood
A fervent Scottish minister takes on Satan and his own kirk elders. John Buchan's 17th century witching tale stars Paul Young.
It’s 1644. A fervent young minister, David Semphill, takes up a post in the rural kirk of Woodilee in the Scottish borders, not far from Edinburgh.
The Wars of the Three Kingdoms – civil wars in Scotland, Ireland and England – are in full flow.
The cult of witches has a hold on the local peasants and to complicate matters further, Semphill falls in love with Katrine, a French woman who lives in the area.
John Buchan's 1927 historical novel reflects the political turmoil - as well as the battle between 'godliness and wickedness' of the time.
Starring Paul Young, Iain Cuthbertson and Gerda Stevenson.
Dramatised by John Scotney.
David Semphill …. Paul Young
James Fordyce …. Tom Fleming
Andrew Shillinglaw …. Iain Cuthbertson
Katrine Yester …. Gerda Stevenson
Isobel Veitch …. Mary Riggans
Montrose …. Crawford Logan
Mark Kerr …. Alexander Morton
Mungo Muirhead …. Robert Trotter
Ebeneezer Proudfoot …. John Sheddon
Ephraim Caid …. Martyn James
Grizel Hawkshaw …. Eileen MacAllum
Jean Caird …. Rose McBain
Amos Ritchie …. Ian Agnew
Pricker …. Martin Black
Will …. James Twaddale
Ritchie Smail …. Ronald Simon
Other parts played by members of the cast.
Pipes played by Robert Wallace.
Directed at BBC Glasgow by Alec Reid.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in October 1990.
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- Sat 4 Apr 201506:00BBC Radio 4 Extra
- Sat 4 Apr 201516:00BBC Radio 4 Extra
- Sun 5 Apr 201504:00BBC Radio 4 Extra
- Sat 1 Nov 202506:00BBC Radio 4 Extra
- Sat 1 Nov 202511:00BBC Radio 4 Extra
- Sat 1 Nov 202517:00BBC Radio 4 Extra
- Sun 2 Nov 202501:00BBC Radio 4 Extra
