Monarch of the Glen Series 1 BBC Scottish Drama
Well-loved Show Highlights Family, Love, Clan and the Highlands
Mar 7, 2009
Series 1 opens with Archie MacDonald about to open a restaurant in London with his girlfriend, Justine. Just hours before opening, Archie receives an urgent phone call from his mother, Molly, telling him his father, Hector, has had an accident in the loch and that Archie should return home to the highlands of Scotland as soon as possible. Archie immediately leaves to be by his dying father’s side.
The New Laird of the MacDonalds and Glenbogle Estate
Upon arriving home after an absence of many years, Archie discovers his father is fine and his mother’s true intent was to bring the son and heir home to take his place as the Laird of Glenbogle. Archie has no interest in becoming laird as it was supposed to be the position of the favorite firstborn son, Jamie, who tragically drowned in the loch several years earlier. However, Archie soon learns he is the legal heir and laird as the ownership of the estate was made over to Archie a few years earlier in order to avoid enormous death duties upon his father’s death.
The remaining episodes of Series 1 follow Archie as he tries to come to terms with the massive indebtedness of the estate to the bank, the unique personalities of the estate’s staff (Golly, Duncan and Lexie), and how to do what is best for the legacy of the MacDonald clan while not sacrificing his own dreams and plans with Justine in London.
Monarch of the Glen Depicts Love in the Scottish Highlands
To complicate matters, Archie strikes up a love-hate relationship with Katrina Finlay, the village school headmistress. Although they have very different views as to the role of the laird and the estate in the life of the community, in the end Katrina plays a key role in helping Archie find a way to keep Glenbogle afloat to live another series. Archie’s friendship with Katrina does not sit well with Justine who arrives at the end of Series 1 to keep her hold on her man.
Well-Known Actors and Actresses Create Memorable Characters
Monarch of the Glen Series 1 featured many familiar faces such as Richard Briers (Hector Naismith MacDonald), Susan Hampshire (Molly MacDonald), Alistair MacKenzie (Archibald “Archie” Horatio Hector MacDonald), Lorraine Pilkington (Katrina Finley), Alexander Morton (Golly Mackenzie), Dawn Steele (Alexandra “Lexie” MacDonald), Hamish Clark (Duncan Mackay) and Jullian Fellows (Lord Angus Errol Sharon Kilwillie).
Scottish Highlands Scenery and Music Add to Show's Charm
Not to be outdone by the human stars, the scenery and music also play a significant role in the beauty of the show. Gorgeous views of the highlands and castle add to the mystique of the show. And the original music creates a mood that alternates from joyous to reflective to nostalgic.
Monarch of the Glen Series 1 is frequently shown on BBC reruns and is also available on DVD. This well-loved drama set in the Scottish Highlands continued in Series 2.
