Hamish Macbeth

Haven't read the books but like this series for all the reasons others gave, just started watching. From what I've seen & heard most people are disappointed if they see film versions after reading the book.

For the reviewer who had a question about the oxen, they are Scottish Highlands breed.

I worked in the Highlands as a cop. Beautiful area, crazy people :). Although this is a TV show, it reminds me of some of the must things that happened. Haven't read the book so I can't comment but this is pretty much what it's like being posted to a single-manned station in the middle of nowhere.

I have just started watching this show because it is offered on satelite here in Japan. I love it, and enjoy the small-town characters and situations. I am of Scotish ancestry and enjoy seeing something of the countryside and Scotish people. Also, the acting is great and the characters are fun. Hamish MacBeth is played by the very talented Robert Carlyle. Hamish is the small-town police officer who is inter-twined with the town. He is part of the town yet has to be the law as well, which puts him into situations on occasion. The townfolk are great and well played. I wish that the show had more seasons than it did, but I am glad to have what I can get! If you are a fan of Scotland or small towns and mysteries, then you'll enjoy this one!

This program reminds me a great deal of "Northern Exposure", a compliment since N. E. was a particular favourite of mine. How could you not like a small community where the natives sit around the local pub reading philosophy and arguing the relative merits of existentialism vs. scientific determinism, or where the local constable poaches salmon and the doctor smokes questionable substances in his pipe. Too bad Robert Carlyle is becoming such a celebrity. I suspect we've seen the last new episodes of this charming show.

Neither is James Bond these days.

And for those who find the plots far-fetched, I can assure them they're not. I grew up in the 1960s in a village just a short way up the coast from Plockton where the series were filmed, and stuff like this really did happen. One of the reasons I enjoy the series so much is that I can put a real name to every one of the major characters - they are so true to my first-hand experience.

A gold medal series, for sure, and Carlyle certainly captured the essence of the highland bobby who walked a fine line between upholding the Law and being an accepted member of the community - an accomplishment my own father was unable to achieve, I've been told!