About this season
This Man Craig was a TV drama series produced by BBC Scotland and screened over 52 episodes in 1966 and 1967. It was set in a secondary school in the fictional Scottish town of Strathaird. Episodes were filmed at Glasgow’s Bellahouston Academy and Glenwood School. The series dealt with the everyday issues affecting both staff and pupils at Strathaird School, and in particular the titular character, idealistic science teacher and housemaster Ian Craig. The first series was shown over 26 episodes between January 7 1966 and July 1 1966. The second series was shown over 26 episodes between September 17 1966 and March 21 1967. Only one episode is known to be still in existence in the BBC archives. The opening sequence showed him driving over the Forth Road Bridge, which at the time was newly built and a Scottish cultural icon.
Episodes (26)
1. The Day Before School
Aired 17 September 1966
During the confusion and excitement of the day before Starthaird School reopens, the Headmaster and Ian Craig are faced with a head-on clash between two teachers demanding the same job.
2. Early Days
Aired 24 September 1966
In his determination not to interfere with the decisions of his children, John Douglas may be offering them a dangerous kind of freedom.
3. The Time Waster
Aired 1 October 1966
Hughie Bell; total school attendance this term - one hour and ten minutes. A normal absence, or is there another reason? Ask Mrs. Bell - if you can get a straight answer!
4. Swimmer in a Shallow Cup
Aired 8 October 1966
Relying on past fame as a rugby international Harry Tasker allows his weaknesses to be covered up by his colleagues at Strathaird, until his responsibility for an accident brings matters into the open.
5. The Trolls
Aired 15 October 1966
At school twelve year old Lizzie Tait is the despair of her teachers. At home she has grown used to the constant bickering of her parents, and sets about turning the garden shed into a beautiful retreat just like the housecraft flat at school. How she goes about this sets Ian Craig a real problem.
6. Surgery
Aired 22 October 1966
A twelve year old boy is suffering acute nervous strain. For Ian Craig and fellow housemaster Ben Collingwood this means a forceful investigation.
7. Period of Adjustment
Aired 5 November 1966
An English girl with all the outward symptoms of a snob boarding school education finds herself a wretched misfit in the more informal atmosphere of Strathaird
8. The Good Chemist
Aired 12 November 1966
Should Tom Morocco, tired of teaching, set up as an industrial chemist in a competitive business world? The Craigs have sharply differing views.
9. Sons of McCall
Aired 19 November 1966
After years of living in the shadow of his brother, Bob McCall's sense of injustice and inadequacy could have tragic consequences.
10. Nurinder
Aired 26 November 1966
A Sikh girl, Nurinder, is to return to India to be married. A simple arrangement - except that at school Nurinder has acquired too much independence of thought.
11. What Made Sammy?
Aired 3 December 1966
The 'tycoon' of Strathaird School is thirteen year old Sammy McDougall. But will his gift for a fast deal lead him to success or disaster?
12. 'I'
Aired 10 December 1966
A school newspaper with a difference - topical, controversial, witty and dedicated to the truth at any price. A head-on clash with authority... and censorship is inevitable.
13. Fresh Off the Boat
Aired 17 December 1966
There are dangerous possibilities when fifteen year old Jenny Maddox tries to turn her fantasies into reality.
14. The Pirate Cut
Aired 24 December 1966
Why does a teenage boy wear long, VERY long hair? Bobby Donaldson's exaggerated hair style scarcely matches his unassuming manner.
15. Pressures
Aired 3 January 1967
The Director of Education wants Ian Craig to apply for a new job. Pressure, both subtle and blatant, is put upon Craig to try and influence his decision.
16. The Water Baby
Aired 10 January 1967
Anna Jancowska is Scottish in all but name and parentage. Although not a brilliant girl she gets through her school work by sheer determination. And this same determination helps her win a place in the Strathaird swimming team. But her father is determined that his daughter shall do better still.
17. The Tinks
Aired 17 January 1967
Good brakes and swift reflexes enable Ian Craig to avoid a nasty accident when a boy dashes in front of his car. The boy, Joey Mackie, and his younger brother Stevie have been running away after raiding a nearby grocer's shop. Craig is surprised to find that Joey is a new boy at Strathaird AND a member of his own House. Term is already ten days old but Joey has not yet put in an appearance. Craig soon becomes involved with both the Mackie boys - and with their aggressive father.
18. Then There Were Nine
Aired 24 January 1967
Margaret Craig has ten small children in her charge. Then one goes missing....
19. There's Got to be a Fire Somewhere
Aired 31 January 1967
Ian Craig is obliged to examine his liberal views on life after a chance meeting with a young woman.
20. You Can Choose Your Friends
Aired 7 February 1967
Violette Johns is a valued member of the French department at Strathaird School until the desperate state of her private life begins to affect her judgment as a teacher.
21. Stevie
Aired 14 February 1967
At thirteen it is hard to be aware of adults' problems, and Stevie's bewilderment has repercussions which threaten Ian Craig's career.
22. The Day's Run
Aired 21 February 1967
Long distance running calls on the last reserves of strength and energy. For young Dougal Ramsay the strain may bring irreparable damage.
23. Chris and the Wheelbarrow
Aired 28 February 1967
Chris Elliott, a senior pupil at Strathaird, has had many brushes with authority during her school career, but her clash with teacher Edgar Albyn is potentially the most serious.
24. Another School of Thought
Aired 7 March 1967
Iain MacDonald, a boy from an island in the Outer Hebrides, finds the life of Strathaird and the mainland in general bewildering and troubling.
25. The Moffatt Foundation
Aired 14 March 1967
Money is stolen. Mysterious gifts are distributed. The Robin Hood campaign of the two small Moffatt boys could get dangerously out of hand.
26. Two by Two
Aired 21 March 1967
When Ian Craig 'volunteers' to take charge of preparations for the school cruise he faces problems, large and small, that are increasingly distracting, absorbing and complex.