The Seventh Doctor and Ace head for Edinburgh for Hogmanay, but they’re a few days and miles out – and an old friend awaits them.

Lizbeth Myles’ tale for the Battlefield line up is another one to add to the list of spooky Christmas tales for future years’ relistening as the Doctor helps the Brigadier investigate strange events around Ben McDui – like the Loch Ness Monster, the Grey Man is part of Scots folklore, and indeed was the subject of an enjoyable, but very different, drama by Sebastian Backiewicz earlier this year. For those trying to work out what year this is set, I wish you luck – I’ll wait for Ahistory 5th edition to find out!

Myles provides a well constructed plot, leading characters and the listener to believe certain things are happening while never deceiving as to the actual truth. She neatly separates Sylvester McCoy’s Doctor and Sophie Aldred’s Ace, providing the latter with Lucy Goldie’s Kirsty, a companion of sorts of her own. McCoy spends much of the time with Jon Culshaw’s Brigadier and we can see the easier relationship that Time Lord and retired soldier have – although there’s the occasional barbed remark.  Youssef Kerkour’s Thaddeus Kanner feels very much like a character from the 7th Doctor’s era, and Vivien Reid’s Dr Niamh Godec is a good foil for both him and the Doctor.

Samuel Clemens’ direction and Benji Clifford’s sound design emphasise the treacherous conditions in which much of the story is set, and provide clarity in scenes that require it.

Verdict: This feels as if it would have been a perfect Season 27 story had we had one in 1990. A satisfyingly spooky story. 9/10

Paul Simpson

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