In 1971 BBC Scotland made an adaptation of the book for television. The series was the first colour drama made by BBC Scotland and also contained the first nude scene. The series made the important change from the book of turning Chris into the narrator; Chris was played by Vivien Heilbron. It was shown in the USA on Masterpiece Theatre in 1975–76. The composer Thomas Wilson was commissioned to write the theme music, which the BBC retained for the remaining two parts of the trilogy, commissioning Wilson again to compose the incidental music for the remaining productions of Cloud Howe and Grey Granite.