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William Speirs Bruce

Episode 2 of 4

Neil Oliver charts the story of little-known Scotsman William Speirs Bruce, who was determined to conquer Antarctica in the name of science.

Neil Oliver retraces the expeditions of four Scottish explorers who planted ideas rather than flags - ideas that shaped the modern world we know today.

Following in the footsteps of a scientific explorer who has become all but lost to history, Neil charts the remarkable story of William Speirs Bruce, one of Britain's greatest, but least-known, explorers. Bruce set out to conquer Antarctica, not for imperial glory, but to advance scientific knowledge in an era when exploration had become harnessed to national prestige.

59 minutes

Last on

Mon 13 Jul 2020 13:30
BBC Scotland

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Clips

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Music Played

Timings (where shown) are from the start of the programme in hours and minutes

  • 00:03

    Jerry Goldsmith

    Theme from Basic Instinct

  • 00:16

    Mogwai

    Half Time

  • 00:19

    Dmitry Shostakovich

    Suite For Variety Orchestra

  • 00:40

    Ólafur Arnalds

    3055

Credits

Presenter Neil Oliver
Producer Colin Murray
Series Producer Richard Downes
Director Colin Murray

Broadcasts