Trusadh (Compelling Stories)

Air na Busaichean (On the Buses) is a television programme presented as a single episode. It falls within the “episode” genre and centres on the everyday world of public transport in Scotland’s north‑west. The title itself signals the focus on buses and the people who rely on them. The episode sets off on a tour of the remote villages scattered across the Highlands and the Islands. As the camera moves from settlement to settlement, it pauses at local bus depots and on board the routes, allowing the presenter to speak with the drivers, the regular passengers and a handful of bus enthusiasts who happen to be nearby. Each of those interviewed shares recollections of journeys they have taken, recalling particular routes, weather conditions and the sense of community that a shared ride can create. Their stories illustrate how the bus service has acted as a lifeline, linking isolated homes and towns that would otherwise be difficult to reach. By weaving together these personal memories, the programme offers a snapshot of life in the far‑flung corners of the Highlands and Islands, using the humble bus as a thread that ties together the region’s villages, its people and their collective experiences on the road.