Hamish MacBeth

**ChromeScholar** · 31st January 08, 01:07 PM

I know that the books are very popular here.

**pdcorlis** · 31st January 08, 03:10 PM

The TV series is really great fun and I think the books are even better. If you get hooked on the books there are plenty of titles to keep you busy for quite a while. Use the XMarks search function - I think someone listed all the titles a while back.

**McClef** · 31st January 08, 04:20 PM

For some reason I can't remember much about the series except it was filmed in the village of Plockton and it was the first time that Robert Carlyle came to my notice.

I remember another series better - Sutherlands Law about a Procurator Fiscal played by Iain Cutherbertson and the music was just fantastic!

That was filmed in Oban by the way!

**Hamish** · 31st January 08, 04:29 PM

Originally Posted by Darkislander

See my thread "first attempt at photo posting" and you will see a picture of Plockton where the series was filmed. Whilst on the subject on televison scripting, the words "pot" and "kettle" come to mind.

Very well said, John!

As for the DVDs: I have had both series I and II for a couple of years - but I've not yet had time to look at them!! I do remember the original transmissions of the programme though and, like Trefor, it was 'Hamish Macbeth' that first brought the talented Robert Carlyle to my attention.

I have not read any of the books but I understand they are now totally out of print here in the UK.

Take care,
Ham.

**RobertsonII** · 31st January 08, 05:25 PM

Excellant series!

**MacMillan of Rathdown** · 31st January 08, 09:44 PM

There are a number of technical difficulties writers have to overcome when writing for British television. The "biggie" is the need for constant conflict resolution-- usually within the scene. It's all down to the Beeb seeing itself as the primary tool for social change in the UK. This, coupled with the fact that the pay (for a script) is crap, and that the talent pool BBC uses tends to fall into lockstep with their "directives" means that writers with any real ability tend to peddle their scripts elsewhere.

As far as the books being better... well, Yeah? Of course they are. The author has a year or so to write the book, and doesn't have to worry about things like budget, and getting an episode shot in ten days, or the difficulty of dealing with the insecurities of actors, the greed of actor's agents, or the whims of the viewing public.

**SportBilly** · 31st January 08, 10:02 PM

Hamish is a wonderful series (although admittedly started going more than a little iffy in Season 3), and is one of those series that the BBC does so well - character-driven and 'quirky'. Of course, I'm biased as I used to spend many happy holidays in Plockton (where Hamish was filmed). It's definitely worth checking out if you have a Netflix subscription and - imho - is far superior to 'Monarch of the Glen'

**slohairt** · 1st February 08, 02:11 AM

Hamish MacBeth was the series that brought the very talented Robert Carlyle to my attention as well. The next thing I saw him in after that was Trainspotting as Begbie! Obviously a very different role!

**Kiltman** · 3rd February 08, 08:54 PM

Originally Posted by pdcorlis

The TV series is really great fun and I think the books are even better. If you get hooked on the books there are plenty of titles to keep you busy for quite a while. Use the XMarks search function - I think someone listed all the titles a while back.

I have all three DVDs. The series is well done. I agree with Phil, the books are better, if a little repetitive.

**bchunter** · 3rd February 08, 09:27 PM

My wife and used to watch the series when BBCA aired the show a few years ago, and then bought the DVDs. It's fun, and Canjunscot was right in his comparison to a Scottish "Northern Exposure". Lots of fun, though.