The Pilgrim

SAS Who Dares Wins

By: Colin Maclachlan

Narrated by: Colin Maclachlan

The Pilgrim is the book the MOD tried to ban. It is a rollercoaster of an autobiography of Colin Maclachlan, known for his appearances on shows like Channel 4's SAS: Who Dares Wins and Channel 5's Secrets of the SAS.

His autobiography starts with his troubled childhood and escape to the military where, as a fifteen year-old boy, he grows up and matures into the SAS soldier we now recognise. Early chapters describe physical, mental and sexual abuse and Colin could easily have ended up in a home but despite the odds and with the help of both the Children's Panels, NSPCC and some diligent schoolteachers, Colin escaped to the army. Colin had to get special permission to join the army at only fifteen years of age and goes from being a young vulnerable and damaged boy to a capable soldier through preparation for the first Gulf War and joining the oldest and most senior infantry regiment in the British Army, The Royal Scots. From operations in Northern Ireland to being the Queen's Butcher to Colin's first TV cameos on Soldier Soldier and Gladiators, Colin's stories and anecdotes are both exhilarating and hilarious.

Colin then describes the arduous SAS selection process, the hardest and most gruelling military selection process in the world. Colin describes in some detail what most have never even heard in this secretive world where Colin goes from a course of what seemed hundreds down to only six percent in six months!

Daily life in an operational squadron and the operations, missions and training involved all described in detail. Colin was part of Mountain Troop, D Squadron who were to be involved in some of the most high-profile and dangerous missions in SAS history.

©2026 Colin Maclachlan (P)2026 Bonnier Books UK

Critic reviews

The best things are worth waiting for. SAS veteran Colin Maclachlan's much anticipated book is arresting, revelatory, inspirational and explosive. An elite operator's gripping true story. It blows the door off! (Damien Lewis)

Colin has made a fascinating start to his life already, but the adventure is just beginning! (Andy McNab)

A rollercoaster of an account of a young boy through to SAS Commander on some of the biggest missions in modern times (Chris Ryan)

Not much meat on the bone

This book is a further example of the military bringing the best out of those with bad home life and lack of direction. However my opinion of the SAS falls far short of US spec ops. Not enough commaraderie

A transparent look into a man and a soldier.

This audiobook was a very good listen. Read by the author, the audiobook brings forth another layer of authenticity as Colin shares his journey, his experiences, and his tragedies. I wish the author could have gone into more detail in some of his experiences, but I know he is limited due to the nature of his service. I’ve also had the privilege of hearing Colin speak and would highly recommend having him speak to your veterans network or employee resource group.