This is the true story of a forgotten Scottish hero, the Reverend Donald Caskie who was known as the Tartan Pimpernel. Born on Islay he became minister of the Scots Kirk in Paris.
When the Germans invaded France in 1940, he fled Paris and reached southern France where he refused the chance of safe passage on the last ship bound for the UK and went to Marseille instead.
There, he ran a Seaman’s Mission, living a double life and passing the close scrutiny of the Vichy Police, helping more than 2,000 British and Allied soldiers to freedom across mountains into Spain.
Rev Caskie was finally imprisoned by the Gestapo and sentenced to death.
You will have to go and see the play to find out what happened!
The Edinburgh Reporter met with writer John Hughes and actor Graeme Dallas who plays Caskie to talk about The Tartan Pimpernel. When the pair were touring with a play a couple of years ago Graeme saw a newspaper article last year which revealed that Dr Caskie’s Bible had been returned to the Kirk in Paris. He then read his book and passed it to John saying that they had to tell this story.
The play is based on Caskie’s 1957 autobiography “The Tartan Pimpernel” a bestseller in the 50s but little is known of his story now.
The Church of Scotland have the full tale of the cross gifted to Rev Caskie and how it has recently been returned to his former church in Paris. You can read that here.
Hill Street Theatre 2-11 August 2.50pm Tickets £12 available here.
Founding Editor of The Edinburgh Reporter.
Edinburgh-born multimedia journalist and iPhoneographer.
