It debuts tomorrow (Sunday, December 18) on BBC1 at 9pm, and stars Iain de Caestecker who also recently starred in BBC drama The Fades, and was formerly a Corrie cast member, playing the role of Adam Barlow as a young James whos just starting out in the world.
The premiere episode is set in 1930s Glasgow, and an idealistic James arrives at the citys veterinary college to begin his studies.
However, within days, he annoys his professors, irritates the locals, and becomes homeless after a run in with his rather inhospitable landlady.
His stories were often very funny and he would sit at the dinner table and laugh about what happened in his surgery that day.
It was never a huge surprise to me that his book became a success.
He was always going to be a great author.
Peter also credits the vet with helping to make the world of veterinary medicine interesting to others, and is thrilled that the television series will highlight the time James spent living and studying in Glasgow.
He said: Its agreat way to remind everyone of his Scottish heritage and how he helped toput our faculty on the map.
In my opinion, we are one of the leading veterinary courses in the world and the university is proud of its association with James.
So much so, that we named our library after him.
He was a tremendous man and his stories helped to show a caring and compassionate side to the profession.
And it certainly is a profession that has changed radically over the years.
With advances in both medicine and technology, the veterinary course in Glasgow is now very different to the one James studied on.
Back then, trainee vets made up all their own medicines and they had to learn about a huge number of drugs and the dosages for different animals.
In his notes, James writes about an endless list of treatments that are now long gone, including nettles, acids, carbons and vegetable extracts.
It was a frightening catalogue and the ingredients were all categorised under their Latin names, with every description of their effects on horses, cows, sheep and dogs.
Young James Herriot tells the story of an idealistic young man.
It is the story of the making of the man, a story of a young person with hope in his heart, not much money in his pocket, and the desire to do good.
Played by Iain De Caestecker, the first episode sees James fall foul of his professors, antagonise tradesmen and find himself homeless as his would-be landlady does a runner with his rent.
He would go on to become Britains best-known and best-loved vet, and to this day he is still admired at the place where his career began.
The modern school is unrecognisable from the place where a young Herriot learned his trade.
It is now based at the Garscube Estate in Bearsden and has a farm and a small animal and equine hospital.
Despite moving into the 21st Century, students at the university are acutely aware of the establishments past.
Rachael Forgie and Susanna Spence, 22, are in their final year of studies.
Rachael said: He was an incredible vet and author and his books show a real compassion and warmth.
Through his stories he brought his practice to life and I am looking forward to watching the series.
Susanna added: Its a tough profession to get into and thecourse provides you with a wealthof knowledge.
We are fortunate we can refer to the internet, or journals, but back in the Thirties it must have been extremely difficult to diagnose.
The programme will hopefully help a new generation of young people discover James Herriot, inspire them to read his wonderful books and maybe even want to follow in his footsteps.
Young James Herriot starts on BBC1 Scotland tomorrow at 9pm.
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