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Take the High Road

  • TV Series
  • 1980–2003
  • 30m
IMDb RATING
7.0/10
154
YOUR RATING
Take the High Road (1980)
Soap OperaDrama

The residents of the rural Scottish village of Glendarroch deal with issues ranging from crop failures and parish pump politics to infidelity, alcoholism and drug abuse.The residents of the rural Scottish village of Glendarroch deal with issues ranging from crop failures and parish pump politics to infidelity, alcoholism and drug abuse.The residents of the rural Scottish village of Glendarroch deal with issues ranging from crop failures and parish pump politics to infidelity, alcoholism and drug abuse.

  • Creator
    • Don Houghton
  • Stars
    • Eileen McCallum
    • Alec Monteath
    • Caroline Ashley
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    7.0/10
    154
    YOUR RATING
    • Creator
      • Don Houghton
    • Stars
      • Eileen McCallum
      • Alec Monteath
      • Caroline Ashley
    • 10User reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • Episodes1485

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    Top cast99+

    Edit
    Eileen McCallum
    • Isabel Blair…
    • 1980–2003
    Alec Monteath
    • Dougal Lachlan
    • 1980–1991
    Caroline Ashley
    • Fiona Cunningham…
    • 1980–1993
    Marjorie Thomson
    • Grace Lachlan
    • 1980–1993
    Kenneth Watson
    • Brian Blair
    • 1980–1990
    Gwyneth Guthrie
    • Mrs. Mack…
    • 1982–2003
    Joan Alcorn
    • Lorna Seton
    • 1980–1990
    Paul Kermack
    • Archie Menzies…
    • 1980–1990
    Muriel Romanes
    • Alice Taylor…
    • 1980–1989
    Iain Agnew
    • Bob Taylor
    • 1980–1990
    Edith MacArthur
    Edith MacArthur
    • Elizabeth Cunningham
    • 1980–1987
    Lesley Fitz-Simons
    • Sheila Ramsay…
    • 1980–2003
    Jeannie Fisher
    • Morag Stewart…
    • 1981–2003
    Robert Trotter
    • Mr. Murdoch…
    • 1982–1992
    Jimmy Chisholm
    • Jimmy Blair
    • 1980–1986
    John Stahl
    John Stahl
    • Inverdarroch…
    • 1982–2003
    Derek Lord
    Derek Lord
    • Davie Sneddon…
    • 1984–2003
    Teri Lally
    • Carol McKay…
    • 1983–1994
    • Creator
      • Don Houghton
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews10

    7.0154
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    Featured reviews

    lemalyn

    not a bleak series

    I would just like to say that I disagree with the views of Stuart Kenny & Harry A Chapman, its only their opinion of the show, if they don't like it why do they watch it? Maybe they like Days of our Lives, Young & the Restless or Coronation Street. As I said in my last comment I am not Scottish but I just love the show. Its only their opinion that the show is bleak, but everyone is different and has different views on shows they like to watch, I know I don't watch a lot of shows if I don't like it the first time I watch it. I like the scenery around the Loch and I think the acting is so real it could really happen just like that. What a dreary world we would live in if everyone had the same opinions. So I'll 'Take the High Road" any day. Hope it keeps on running here in Australia for a long time to come yet.
    fluffy_tablet

    Scriptwriting Masterpiece: Wasted on critical masses

    This unique Scottish drama deserves credit for much more than its charming highland setting and lovable characters. It is the skillful craftsmanship of its screenplay which attracts. The creators of this show delve into the inner thoughts and complex emotions of the characters in a way which renders it a delicate, rich, humanistic drama which satisfies, rather than a superficial "soapie" with simplistic characterisation and sensationalised plots. The scriptwriter forces unlikely characters to meet and interact in unusual moments; compels them to share experiences with those whom they are not often inclined to confide. The script is constantly challenging the diverse characters and our perceptions of them by betraying undiscovered qualities within each; teasingly revealing unexpected compassion and secret vices to tempt an eager audience. This show is a textual gem and I'm so pleased that it has been given the continuing recognition it deserves.
    lemalyn

    I just LOVE the series and hope that we keep on getting it here in Australia

    I really like the show and think that the actors really play their parts so well, it is as if everything is really true. I was a little disappointed that baby Mary died, it made me feel so sad as that had happened to me a long time ago. But I watch the show every day and tape it if I am not going to be home. Even though I am not Scottish I can still understand the words but my husband can't understand them. I have been watching the show now for about 12 months and just hope that Australia keep on showing the series, it had been on here for a while before I got to know about it. I am glad that my friend (who is Scottish) told me to watch it. Best show on TV she said & I am inclined to agree with her.
    pauline-meek

    Who was that man?

    I used to love this - time spent watching it was a treat that helped me keep my sanity when my children were tiny and I longed for the sound of a grown-up voice. I loved the scenery, and the sort of close-knit community that probably hasn't ever existed, but is comforting to think of. The story lines were wonderful - mostly real-life "I can relate to that" stuff, with a bit of drama (and sometimes sheer silliness - remember the "Nicki the Russian spy" storyline?) thrown in to stop you getting too complacent! Funnily enough, a couple of friends and I were regretting its demise the other day, and were recalling favourite characters - which brings me to my question. Who was/is the actor who played "Nosey" (Respect the Sabbath) Parker, the world's most up-himself Calvinist vicar - he was brilliant! He's one of those actors you see in loads of stuff, but don't usually associate with any one part. We have been racking out brains. Any offers?
    Donald_McKinney

    It's like Emmerdale remade by Ingmar Bergman, very bleak indeed...

    This soap opera is both bleak and dull, in fact, too bleak to even call proper entertainment. How people could even sit and watch it, I shall never know. No wonder it's been axed, it is one of the worst soap opera's in the history of television.

    It's the equivalent of spending a two week holiday inside a Nazi concentration camp. It's absolute torture to watch, full of potholes of plotholes,. ropey dialogue that could have come from one of those British movies of the late 1960's, and there are too mant stereotypes against the Scottish folk, so therefore, it's a little racist in it's own way.

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The show's title was truncated from Take the High Road to High Road in 1994 as part of an attempt to modernise the show.
    • Connections
      Featured in Watching Ourselves: 60 Years of Television in Scotland: Baubles and Bells (2012)

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    FAQ17

    • How many seasons does Take the High Road have?Powered by Alexa

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • February 19, 1980 (United Kingdom)
    • Country of origin
      • United Kingdom
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • High Road
    • Filming locations
      • Helensburgh, Argyll and Bute, Scotland, UK
    • Production company
      • Scottish Television (STV)
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      30 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Stereo
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.33 : 1

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