List of Take the High Road characters

This is a list of characters who appeared in the Scottish soap opera Take the High Road, broadcast from 1980 to 2003.

Series 1 (1980)

The first episode was broadcast by Scottish Television on 19 February 1980 and the series of 30 was broadcast two episodes per week till 28 May 1980.^[1]

First episode

In credits order:^[2]

Elizabeth Cunningham (Edith MacArthur)
Alan McIntyre (Martin Cochrane)
Kay Grant (Vivien Heilbron)
Max Langemann (Frederick Jaeger)
Dougal Lachlan (Alec Monteath)
Grace Lachlan (Marjorie Thomson)
Amy Lachlan (Julie Ann Fullarton)
Isabel Blair (Eileen McCallum)
Jimmy Blair (Jimmy Chisholm)
Ken Calder (Bill Henderson)
Maggie Ferguson (Irene Sunters)
Lorna Seton (Joan Alcorn)
Fiona Cunningham (Caroline Ashley)

Other debut appearances in Series 1

"Mrs Archie" (Anne Downie) – episode 9
David Blair (Derek Anders) – episode 3
George Carradine (Leon Sinden) – episode 22 only
Rev. Gordon Cockburn (Roy Boutcher) – episode 4
John Crawford (Andrew Downie) – episode 9
Peter Cunningham (Donald Douglas) – episode 17
Eric Duff (Hugh Evans) – episode 3; last seen in episode 7
Ian Duff (Gregor Fisher) – episode 3; last seen in episode 7
Willi von Haupt (Ian Patrick) – episode 8 only
Donald Lachlan (Master Alan Dunbar) – episode 3
Alice McEwan (Muriel Romanes) – episode 8
Leslie Maxwell (Andrew Robertson) – episode 6
Archie Menzies (Paul Kermack) – episode 9
Andy Semple (Alexander Morton) – episode 13; absconds in episode 14
Jane Steedman (Ingrid Hafner) – episode 14
Bob Taylor (Iain Agnew) – episode 5
'Sorry' Watson (Ron Paterson) – episode 25
Mr Wedderburn (Willie Joss) – episode 13 only
sheep rustlers (Ricky Don and Bill MacFarlane) – episodes 16 & 18 only

Departing characters who make return appearances

Andy Semple

Final appearances

John Crawford
Eric Duff
Ian Duff
Amy Lachlan (died in episode 2)
Max Langemann
Leslie Maxwell

Series 2 (1980)

The second series had 26 episodes (nos. 31–56) broadcast from 14 October 1980 to 7 January 1981.^[3]

Debut appearances in Series 2

Brian Blair (Kenneth Watson)
Dr Wallace (Michael Elder)

Final appearances

"Mrs Archie"
Kay Grant
Alan McIntyre

Series 3 (1981)

The third series had 26 episodes (nos. 57–82) broadcast from 7 April 1981 to 2 July 1981.^[4]^[5]^[6]

Debut appearances in Series 3

Lucy Armstrong (Marjorie Dalziel)
Helen Blair (Bridget Biagi)
Douglas Dunbar (Clive Graham)
Kirsty Forsyth (Anna Davidson)
Alison Lambert (Carol Ann Crawford)
Hamish McNeil (William Armour)
Morag Stewart (Jeannie Fisher)
Lady Strathmorris (Ellen McIntosh)
Lord Andrew Strathmorris (Bernard Gallagher)
Malky Wilson (Freddie Boardley)

Final appearances

Jane Steedman
Malky Wilson

Series 4 (1981–1982)

The fourth series had 44 episodes (nos. 83–126) broadcast from 6 October 1981 to 18 March 1982.^[7]^[8]^[9]^[10]

Debut appearances in Series 4

Tom Clifton (Jonathan Battersby)
Peter Craig (Jay Smith)
Robert Forsyth (Ian Wallace)
Sojer Johnny (Chic Murray)

Departing characters

Series 5 (1982)

The fifth series had 36 episodes (nos. 127–162) broadcast from 24 August 1982 to 23 December 1982.^[11]^[12]

Debut appearances in Series 5

Kate Blair (Lucy Durham-Matthews)
Sarah Cunningham (Claire Nielson)
Bruno Rheinhardt (Tony Caunter)
Alec Geddes (James Cosmo)
Graeme B. Hogg (Jim Byars)
Tom Kerr aka "Inverdarroch" (John Stahl)
Mrs Mary Mack (Gwyneth Guthrie)
Rev Iain McPherson (John Young)
Mr Obidiah Arthur Murdoch (Robert Trotter)
Sergeant Murray (James McDonald)
Jackie Ogilvie (Hazel McBride)
Eddie Ramsay (Robin Cameron)
Jean Semple (Jeni Giffen)
Jamie Stewart (James Copeland)
Mrs Woods (Primrose Milligan)

Departing characters who make return appearances

Maggie Ferguson – as Maggie Watson

Departing characters

Series 6 (1983–1984)

The sixth series had 88 episodes (nos. 163–234) broadcast from 7 August 1983 to 20 March 1984.^[13]^[14]

Debut appearances in Series 6

Jock Campbell (Iain Stewart)
Marion Cochrane (Lizzie Radford)
Dan Lamont (Ray Jeffries)
Irene Lamont (Trudy Bryce) -EN's granny
Sheila Lamont (Lesley Fitz-Simons)
Effie MacInnes (Mary Riggans)
Carol McKay (Terri Lally)
John Morrison (Adrian Reynolds)
Mr Thomson (John Shedden)
Miss Richardson (Sheila Grier)

Characters making return appearances

Maggie Watson

Final appearances

Douglas Dunbar
John Morrison
Jackie Ogilvie
Miss Richardson
Mr Thomson

Series 7 (1984–1985)

The seventh series had 44 episodes (nos. 235–276) broadcast from 4 September 1984 to 7 February 1985.

Debut appearances in Series 7

Davie Sneddon (Derek Lord) Episode 237
Sally Shaw (Judith Sweeney)
Willie Stewart (Walter Carr)
Lily Taylor (Thelma Rogers) Episode 246

Return guest appearances

Maggie Watson

Departing characters who make return appearances

Jimmy Blair
Sally Shaw

Series 8 (1985)

The eighth series had 44 episodes (nos. 277–334) broadcast from 14 May 1985 to 3 October 1985.

Debut appearances in Series 8

Sandra Blair (Johanna Hargreaves)
Florence Crossan (Gwyneth Guthrie)
Ruari Galbraith (Charles Jamieson)
Rev Parker (Paul Young)
Mrs Russell (Fay Lenore)

Return appearances

Lily Taylor

Departing characters who make return appearances in later years

Sandra Blair
Florence Crossan
Lily Taylor

Final appearances

Ken Calder

1986

Starting on 18 March 1986, the ninth (episodes 334–415)

Debut appearances

Joyce Cameron (Georgine Anderson)
Willie Gillespie (Joe Mullaney)
Mr Hendry (Gerry Slevin)
Jim Hunter (Alan Cumming)
Fergus Jamieson (Frank Wylie)
Jockie McDonald (Jackie Farrell)
Heather McNeil (Bridget McCann)
Constable Graham McPhee (Stuart Bishop)
Mrs Jean McTaggart (Jean Faulds)
Harry Shaw (Lawrie McNicol)
Oggie Wilson (Sean Scanlon)

Characters making return appearances

Jimmy Blair
Sally Shaw

Departing characters who will make return appearances

Jim Hunter
Eddie Ramsay
Harry Shaw
Sally Shaw

Final appearances

Jimmy Blair
Joyce Cameron
Elizabeth Cunningham
Mr Hendry

1987

Starting on 2 February 1987 (episodes 416–1517) was a continuous run till the last episode on 27 April 2003. There were some gaps in regular transmission, though storylines continued uninterrupted on each resumption. However, there was 4 month Story gap between Episode 728 - 729, but there was no gap in transmission.

Debut appearances

Susan Duncan (Jacqueline Gilbride)
Lynne McNeil (Gillian McNeil)
Mairi McNeil (Anne Myatt)
Eric Ross-Gifford (Richard Greenwood)
Joanna Ross-Gifford (Tamara Kennedy)
Sir John Ross-Gifford (Michael Browning)
Lady Margaret Ross-Gifford (Jan Waters)
Nan Anderson (Marjorie Dalziel)

Return appearances

Harry Shaw
Sally Shaw

Character re-casting

Willie Gillespie (Ewen Emery replaces Joe Mullaney)
Donald Lachlan (Steven Brown takes over the role.)

Final appearances

Jamie Stewart (James Copeland)
Mrs Russell
Mrs Mctavish

1988

Debut appearances

Gladys Aitken (Ginni Barlow)
Mrs Galbraith (Diana Ollson)
Claire Kerr (Julie Miller)
Scott Logan (Micky MacPherson)
Tam Logan (John Murtagh)
Joe Reilly (Ian Bleasdale)
Moira Reilly (Anne Kidd)
Lady William (Madeline Christie)
Michael Ross (Gordon MacArthur)
Mark Ritchie (Peter Raffan)
Vieven Howard (Kay Gallie)

Returning characters

Peter Cunningham
Jim Hunter
Sorry Watson

Final appearances

Peter Craig
Joe Reilly
Moira Reilly
Jim Hunter
Tam Logan
Lady Margaret Ross Gifford
Vieven Howard
Constable Graham McPhee

1989

Debut appearances

Emma Aitken (Amanda Whitehead)
Colin Begg (Kern Falconer)

Character re-casting

Alice Taylor (Barbara Rafferty replaces Muriel Romanes)

Return appearances

Susan Duncan
David Blair
Harry Shaw
Eddie Ramsay
Jock Campbell

Final appearances

Peter Cunningham (early 1989)
Sorry Watson (early 1989)
Calsang
Scott Logan
Harry Shaw
Lord Strathmorris
Jock Campbell

1990

Characters making return guest appearances

Sandra Blair
Andy Semple
Maggie Watson
Lily Wentworth

Final appearances

Sandra Blair
Brian Blair
Hamish McNeil
Rev Parker
Mark Ritchie
Sir John Ross Gifford
Lorna Seton
Alice Taylor
Bob Taylor
Maggie Watson
Lady William
Sergeant Murray

March Onwards

In March 1990, a major production change took place which resulted in a number of longer term cast members being replaced and six new male characters being introduced.

Debut appearances

Paul Martin (Peter Bruce)
Gary McDonald (Joseph McFadden)
Sadie McDonald (Doreen Cameron)
Trish McDonald (Natalie J. Robb)
Jessie McKay (Wilma Duncan)
Alun Morgan (Mike Hayward)
Greg Ryder (Alan Hunter)
Kenny Tosh (Alistair Galbraith)
Tee Jay Wilson (Andrew Gillan)
Shona (Eilidh Fraser/Alicia Devine)

Departing characters who will return later

Mr Murdoch (returned later in year)
Nan Anderson (returns ep751)
Davie Sneddon (returns ep757)
Eddie Ramsay ( Returned in 1991)
Tom Kerr aka "Inverdarroch" ( returned in 1992)
Claire Kerr ( returns in 2001)

Final appearances

Archie Menzies ( Actor died)
Lily Wentworth

1991

Debut appearances

Sam Hagen (Briony McRoberts)
Mr Crawford (James Bryce)
PC Douglas Kirk (Graeme Robertson)
Margo McGeogh (Mandy Matthews)
Gordon Sinclair (Paul Hickey)
Matt Sinclair (Jake D'Arcy)
Peggy Sinclair (Donalda Samuel)
Andrew Wilson (Bill Murdoch)
Cathy Wilson (Jo Cameron Brown)
Stephen Ogilvie ( Roger McGeachin)

Characters making return guest appearances

Florence Crossan (Gwyneth Guthrie)
Andy Semple

Final appearances

Florence Crossan
Paul Martin
Mr McPherson
Kenny Tosh

1992

Debut appearances

Joe Breslin (Kenneth Glenaan)
DI Busby (Laurie Ventry)
Leonard Carter (Robert Robertson)
John Clark (Alan McHugh)
Jennifer Goudie (Victoria Burton)
Cecelia Hunter (Eiledh Fraser)
Celia Maxwell (Annette Staines)
Catriona McNeil (Lynsey Jane Thompson)
Sandy McNeil (Rainer Ross)
Menna Morgan (Manon Jones)
Nick Stapleton (Stephen Hogan)
Duncan Strachan (Ron Donachie)
Mark Torrance (Gary Bakewell)
Dr Benjamin Jenkins (Troy Fairclough)
Leonard Carter (Robert Robertson)

Characters making return appearances

Tom Kerr

Departing characters who will make return appearances

DI Busby
Jennifer Goudie
Mr Murdoch
Mrs Woods

Final appearances

Nan Anderson
John Clark
Donald Lachlan
Dougal Lachlan
Gladys Lachlan
Gordon Sinclair
Mark Torrance

1993

Debut appearances

Judith Crombie (Anne Marie Timoney)
Angus McTavish - John Grieve
Iain Strathmorris (James Coombes)

Characters making return appearances

Jennifer Goudie
DI Busby
Andy Semple

Final appearances

Leonard Carter
Jennifer Goudie
Jessie McKay
Fiona Ryder
Greg Ryder

1994

Characters making return appearances

Irene Lamont

Final appearances

Sadie McDonald
Angus McTavish
Emma Aitken - Ep1106
Fergus Jamieson - Ep1106 ( actor died)
Lynne McNeil - Ep1106
Nick Stapleton - Ep1106
Duncan Strachan - Ep1106
Andy Semple - Ep1106
Iain Strathmorris - Ep1106
Irene Lamont
DI Busby - Ep1122

Departing characters who will make return appearances

Tom Kerr - ep1106 ( returns in 1996)
Sam Hagen - ep1106 ( returns in Ep 1123)

Characters making their last regular appearances

Grace Lachlan - Ep1106
Jean McTaggart - Ep1106

High Road

From July 1994 with the series being renamed "High Road" a major change in production took place.

Characters making return appearances

Mr Murdoch - (Ep 1138)
Mrs Woods -

Debut appearances

Tiffany Bowles (Rachel Ogilvy)
Callum Gilchrist (Jim Webster)
Sarah Gilchrist (Shonagh Price)
Phineas North (William Tapley)

1995

Debut appearances

Chic Cherry (Andy Cameron)
Jaffa Cherry (Rab Christie)
Dominic Dunbar (Gary Hollywood)
Peter Odell (Ross Davidson)
Ewan Patterson (David McGowan)
Cheryl Thom (Kerry Lyn Hamilton)

Return guest appearances

Grace Lachlan - Episode 1150
Jean McTaggart - Episode 1150

Departing characters who will make return appearances

Alun Morgan - Episode 1190
Michael Ross - Episode 1195
Susan Ross - Episode 1195

Final appearances

Stephen Ogilvie
Grace Lachlan - Episode 1150
Jean McTaggart - Episode 1150
Judith Crombie -
Mr Murdoch - Episode 1175
Tee Jay Wilson - Episode 1181
Mrs Woods

1996

Debut appearances

Kelly Marie Cherry (Catherine Keating)
Senga Cherry (Libby McArthur)
Stella Greg (Anne Downie)
Victor Kemp (Iain Andrew)
Sally McGann (Catriona Evans)
Paul Lafferty (Simon Weir)

Guest appearances's

Moria Gilby (Sheila Donald)
Ronald Gilby (Walter Carr)

Returning characters

Tom Kerr
Alun Morgan
Michael Ross
Susan Ross
Phineas North
Cheryl Thom

Final appearances

Alun Morgan - ep1223
Susan Ross - ep1223
Dr Wallace - ep1230
Michael Ross - ep1247
Ewan Patterson - ep1247
PC Douglas Kirk - ep1247

1997

Debut appearances

Dylan Geddes (Stephen Callaghan)
Martin Geddes (Alex Harvey)
Kitty McIvor (Sarah Gudgeon)
Lachie McIvor (Alec Heggie)
PC Tony Piacentini (Alan McHugh)
Dr Andy Sharp (Richard Conlon)

Final appearances

Tiffany Bowles
Dylan Geddes
Martin Geddes
Gary McDonald
Menna Morgan
Peter O'Dell
Carol Wilson
Cheryl Thom

1998

Debut appearances

Jude Burnett (Deborah McCallum)
Maureen Gilchrist (Lesley Mackie)
Tina Harrigan (Amanda Beveridge)

Character re-casting

Sandy McNeil (Joel Strachan replaces Rainer Ross)

Returning characters

Sandy McNeil

Final appearances

Stella Greg

1999

Debut appearances

Ewan Logan (Gordon Brown)
Dan Sutherland (John Havlin)

Returning characters

Tina Harrigan

Final appearances

Jude Burnett
Tina Harrigan
Trish McDonald
Sandy McNeil

2000

Debut appearances

Siobhan Devlin (Chrissi Jo Hyde)
Nigel Jenkins (Keith Warwick)
Liam Peters (Garry Sweeney)

Departing characters who will return

Joanna Ross-Gifford
Kitty McIvor

Final appearances

Sam Hagen
Dr Andy Sharp

2001

Debut appearances

George McCracken (Malcolm Hemmings)

Departing characters

Eric Ross-Gifford

Return guest appearances

Claire Kerr
George Carradine (Leon Sinden)

2002

Debut appearances

Dr Douglas Clark (John Kazek)
Mr Spinetti (Terry Wale)

Departing characters

Eddie Ramsay

Characters who depart until final episode

Isabel Blair

2003

Debut appearances

Niall Cassidy – Barry Lord

Returning characters

Joanna Ross-Gifford

Characters who return for the final episode

Isabel Blair
Kitty McIvor
Lynne McNeil

Cast list from the final episode

Isabel Blair (Eileen McCallum)
Sheila Ramsay (Lesley Fitz-Simons)
Effie McDonald (Mary Riggans)
Jockie McDonald (Jackie Farrell)
Mairi McIvor (Anne Myatt)
Lachie MacIvor (Alec Heggie)
Morag Kerr (Jeannie Fisher)
Tom Kerr (John Stahl)
Mrs Mack (Gwyneth Guthrie)
Victor Kemp (Iain Andrew)
Nigel Jenkins (Keith Warwick)
Davie Sneddon (Derek Lord)
Niall Cassidy (Barry Lord)
Alec MacGlashan (Stewart McMinn)
Sally McGann (Catriona Evans)
Sarah McDonald (Shonagh Price)
Baby Sadie McDonald (Courtney Jane McWatt)
PC Tony Piacentini (Alan McHugh)
Chic Cherry (Andy Cameron)
Paul Lafferty (Simon Weir)
Ewan Logan (Gordon Brown)
Mr Spinetti (Terry Wale)
Kitty McIvor (Sarah Gudgeon)
Lynne McNeil (Gillian McNeil)
Surveyor (Ronnie Simon)
Dr Douglas Clark (John Kazek)

References

^ "Episodes 1–30". Take the High Road. Glasgow: STV. Retrieved 30 August 2020.
^ "Take the High Road, volume 1, episodes 1–6 [DVD]". Amazon. Retrieved 4 October 2020.
^ "Episodes 31–60". Take the High Road. Glasgow: STV. Retrieved 30 August 2020.
^ "TV listings". The Glasgow Herald. Glasgow: The Herald & Times Group. 7 April 1981. p. 28.
^ "Episodes 31–60". Take the High Road. Glasgow: STV. Retrieved 30 August 2020.
^ "Episodes 61–90". Take the High Road. Glasgow: STV. Retrieved 30 August 2020.
^ "STV Highspot". Glasgow Evening Times. Glasgow: The Herald & Times Group. 6 October 1981. p. 2.
^ "Episodes 61–90". Take the High Road. Glasgow: STV. Retrieved 30 August 2020.
^ "Episodes 91–120". Take the High Road. Glasgow: STV. Retrieved 9 January 2021.
^ "Episodes 121–150". Take the High Road. Glasgow: STV. Retrieved 9 January 2021.
^ "Episodes 121–150". Take the High Road. Glasgow: STV. Retrieved 9 January 2021.
^ "Episodes 151–180". Take the High Road. Glasgow: STV. Retrieved 9 January 2021.
^ "Episodes 151–180". Take the High Road. Glasgow: STV. Retrieved 9 January 2021.
^ "Episodes 181–205". Take the High Road. Glasgow: STV. Retrieved 9 January 2021.

Bibliography

Elder, Michael (1990). Ten Years of Take the High Road. London: Boxtree. ISBN 978-1-85283-109-7.
Houghton, Don (1982). Take the High Road. Edinburgh: Mainstream. ISBN 978-0-906391-34-1.

[1] "Episodes 1–30". Take the High Road. Glasgow: STV. Retrieved 30 August 2020.

[DVD1-2] "Take the High Road, volume 1, episodes 1–6 [DVD]". Amazon. Retrieved 4 October 2020.

[3] "Episodes 31–60". Take the High Road. Glasgow: STV. Retrieved 30 August 2020.

[4] "TV listings". The Glasgow Herald. Glasgow: The Herald & Times Group. 7 April 1981. p. 28.

[5] "Episodes 31–60". Take the High Road. Glasgow: STV. Retrieved 30 August 2020.

[6] "Episodes 61–90". Take the High Road. Glasgow: STV. Retrieved 30 August 2020.

[7] "STV Highspot". Glasgow Evening Times. Glasgow: The Herald & Times Group. 6 October 1981. p. 2.

[8] "Episodes 61–90". Take the High Road. Glasgow: STV. Retrieved 30 August 2020.

[9] "Episodes 91–120". Take the High Road. Glasgow: STV. Retrieved 9 January 2021.

[10] "Episodes 121–150". Take the High Road. Glasgow: STV. Retrieved 9 January 2021.

[11] "Episodes 121–150". Take the High Road. Glasgow: STV. Retrieved 9 January 2021.

[12] "Episodes 151–180". Take the High Road. Glasgow: STV. Retrieved 9 January 2021.

[13] "Episodes 151–180". Take the High Road. Glasgow: STV. Retrieved 9 January 2021.

[14] "Episodes 181–205". Take the High Road. Glasgow: STV. Retrieved 9 January 2021.

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