Character Information


          HAMISH MACBETH

           Disillusioned with city life, Hamish Macbeth has returned to his roots in the Highlands. He loves his life in Lochdubh where his attitude towards the law is one of 'live and let live". Secretly, he sees himself as the sheriff of a one-horse town in the Wild West.

          Robert Carlyle plays Hamish Macbeth. His film credits since: Being Now, Silent Scream, Riff-Raff (European film of the Year), Safe and Priest. TV credits: Albie in Cracker, Preston in 99-1, The Advocates, Byrne on Byrne.

          TV JOHN McIVER

           TV John - so called because he owned the first ever TV in Lochdubh - is friend and general factotum to Hamish. He cooks, cleans and generally helps out in the office. He is loyal and dependable and he has second sight.

          Ralph Riach plays TV John. His credits include: The Bill, Chancer, City Lights, Casulaty, Rides, Clarissa, Changing Step, Tutti Frutti, Dr Finlay, Taggart, Take the High Road, Lost Empires, First Among Equals, Watching.

          ALEXANDRA MACLEAN

           Hamish was once romantically involved with Alexandra, daughter of the local laird. He still loves her but there is one big problem: he won't leave Lochdubh to be with her, and she won't leave London to be with him.

          Valerie Gogan plays Alexandra. Her TV credits include: Heart of the High Country, David Copperfield, The Manageress, Taggart, Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, Arriverderci Millwall, 7he Secret Agent. On film she has appeared in Dangerous Liaisons and As You Like It. Her theatre credits include: Worlds Apart for the RSC and Secret Rapture for the National Theatre.

          LACHLAN McCRAE

           Local crofter, handyman and would-be entrepreneur, Lachlan McCrae does more ducking and diving than wheeling and dealing. He is as proud as he can be of his son, Lachie Junior.

          Jimmy Yuill plus Lachlan McCrae. His recent TV credits include: Wycliffe, Inspector Alleyn, Grushko, Demob, Bad Company, Boon, The Bill. He has worked closely with Kenneth Branagh, appearing in feature films Frankenstein, Much Ado About Nothing and Henry V, and in the Renaissance Co's theatre productions of King Lear, Midsummer Night's Dream and Uncle Vanya.

          LACHIE JUNIOR

           Son of Lachlan McCrae, 18-year old Lachie Junior is well-meaning but not particularly well endowed in the IQ department.

          Stuart Davids plays Lachie Junior. He has appeared in: Normal Service, Arena, The Justice Game, Taggart, Take the High Road and Dr Finlay. He has frequently worked with Glasgow's Raindog Theatre which was co-founded by Robert Carlyle.

          BARNEY and AGNES MELDRUM

           A popular couple, Barney and Agnes are landlord and lady of the Lochdubh Hotel, local watering hole and the hub of village life.

          Stuart McGugan plays Barney. His TV credits lance: The Bill, Head Over Heels, Brookside, Strathblair, The Chief, Spender, Wish Me Luck, Taggart, The Management, Tutti Frutti, Operation Julie.

          Barbara Rafferty plays Agnes. Her TV credits include Rab C. Nesbitt, Bad Boys, Para Handy, Dr Finlay, For, Your Cheatin' Heart, Take The High Road, Taggart, Playing for Real Films: Wicker Man, Big Red Roses.

          ISOBEL SUTHERLAND

           Isobel is a reporter for the Lochdubh Listener. Bright and independent, she has secretly loved Hamish for years. Unfortunately, he has never noticed and she is too proud to let him know.

          Shirley Henderson plays Isobel. Her TV credits include: Clarissa, Advocates, Casualty, Dreaming, Wish Me Luck and Shadow of the Stone.

          RORY CAMPBELL

           Proprietor of the Lochdubh General Store, Rory lives alone above his shop and enjoys the trappings of modest wealth: silk sheets and a jacuzzi. He is having a passionate affair, which he wrongly believes to be secret, with Esme Murray ...

          Brian Pettifer plays Rory. His TV credits include: Rab C. Nesbitt, Nice Day at the Office, Lovejoy, Paul Merton the series, The Bill, Mornin' Sarge, City Lights, Taggart, Strike It Rich. Film credits include: Happy The Man, Little Dorrit, Heavenly Pursuits, A Christmas Carol, Amadeus, Britannia Hospital, Ill Fares The Land, Flashman, O Lucky Man, Husbands, If.

          ESMIE MURRAY

           A statuesque and voluptuous widow, Esme is a teacher at the local school. She insists her affair with Rory is kept secret because of her standing in the village.

          Ann Lacey plays Esme. Her TV credits include: Dr Finlay, Sweet Nothings, Knowing the Score, Shoot for the Sun.

          DOC DOUGAL BROWN

           Doc is Hamish's friend and confidant, with whom he often shares a drink and a smoke at the end of the day.

          Duncan Duff plays Doc. His TV credits include: May to December, London's Burning, Calling the Shots, Rides, Casualty, This is David Landor, Brookside, Taggart.

          D.I. BRUCE

           Occasionally a serious crime in Lochdubh or the surrounding area demands the attention of Detective Inspector Bruce. He swoops in from Inverness with a team of junior officers and a convoy of vehicles. Subtlety is not his middle name.

          Bill Leadbitter plays D. L Bruce. TV credits include: The Governor, Seaforth, Touch of Frost, 99-1, The Chief, Bad Company, Take the High Road, Boon, Kinsey, The Bill, Black and Blue, Between the Lines, Lovejoy, Underbelly, Bergerac, Taggart.

          WEE JOCK

          Wee lock is Hamish's constant companion. He's a West Highland White terrier, a feisty little character, much loved in the village.

          Wee Jock is played by Zippy in the first series but was replaced by Fraoch for series 2 & 3. Zippy lives in Dumfries and is a newcomer to television. Fraoch is from Fort William
          Take us Home Jock