Journalist and statesman Tom Johnston (1881-1965) was considered by many as the greatest Scotsman of his time. In founding the popular Glasgow-based newspaper, Forward, in 1906, he created a platform for lively socialist and nationalist debate in Scotland for over half a century. Johnston moved into active politics in 1922 to become one of the Clydeside group of MPs, rising to become one of the great Secretaries of State for Scotland in the wartime coalition under Churchill.

After 1945 he was chairman of a number of public organizations, including the Scottish Tourist Board, the Scottish National Forestry Commission and the North of Scotland Hydro-Electricity Board (1946–59), and oversaw the monumental hydro-electric schemes which revolutionised Scottish power supply. This is the story of a remarkable and much-loved politician and a deeply principled and respected man.