As the dark nights draw in, many Scots will be spending more cosy evenings indoors watching television rather than venturing out in the gloomy weather. While the autumn TV schedule offers annual favourites such as Celebrity Traitors and Strictly Come Dancing, many viewers are seeking something they can binge watch every night instead of waiting for weekly episodes.
With so many new shows available across various streaming platforms, society has never had more options at its fingertips from the comfort of the sofa. However, this abundance means that half the battle is usually deciding what to watch in the first place.
Instead of looking for something new, why not consider one of these 'old but gold' Scottish TV shows that have remained iconic for years for good reason? Those seeking a comforting winter's watch should consider adding these three nostalgic programmes to their wish list.
Monarch of the Glen
Monarch of the Glen is a Scottish comedy drama which ran for seven seasons on BBC Scotland from 2000 to 2005. Filmed primarily in the Scottish Highlands, the show centred around the stunning Cairngorms, Badenoch, and Strathspey areas.
Aired on BBC One from 2000 to 2005, the show became one of the channel's most recognisable family dramas. The story follows Archie MacDonald, who owns a restaurant with his girlfriend Justine. He must choose between managing his debt-ridden estate Glenbogle or returning to London to manage his entrepreneurial venture.
In the leading role is Scots star Alastair Mackenzie who plays Archie, while other actors in the programme include Hamish Clark and Dawn Steele. Fans of the beloved show have hailed it a 'must watch'. One review on IMDB reads: "Amazing series. Makes you fall in love with Scotland and its people. I'd give it 10/10 for the drama/acting and of course its Scottish scenery."
All seven seasons of Monarch of the Glen are available to watch in the UK on BBC iPlayer. A revamp series of the Scots show has also been announced by 5 and is set to premiere at some point in 2027.
Tales of Para Handy
The Tales of Para Handy is a warm-hearted Scottish comedy-drama television series set in the 1930s Western Isles. The programme is based on the fictional Scottish steamer skipper named Para Handy who is the crafty captain of the Clyde Puffer Vital Spark.
The character was created by Scots journalist and writer Neil Munro in a series of stories published in the Glasgow Evening News between 1905 and 1923. Several TV adaptations about the fictional skipper have been made over the years, but the most recent ran for nine episodes from 1994 until 1995 with Gregor Fisher in the leading role.
Available to watch on Amazon Prime, The Tales of Para Handy follows the misadventures of Captain Peter MacFarlane and his small eccentric crew on board their Clyde Puffer boat. The men sail around the coastal waters of western Scotland on their leaky slow-moving steam cargo boat delivering odd cargoes and getting into minor scraps.
One fan of the show left a glowing review on IMDB which read: "I have to say I have absolutely no idea why this series never continued on for at least another 5 seasons." "While the old series was wonderful, it was low budget and this new one is expertly crafted into a beautiful period piece."
Hamish MacBeth
Hamish MacBeth is a Scottish mystery comedy-drama television series which aired for three seasons from 1995 until 1997. Based on a long-running series of Scottish mystery novels by M.C. Beaton, the show follows the story of police constable Hamish MacBeth who maintains the peace in the small town of Lochdubh in Scotland.
Accompanied by his beloved dog, Wee Jock, Hamish helps everyone he meets in any way he can. While the PC would love a quiet life, incidents in the deceptively sleepy Highland village means it's the last thing he seems to get.
The show which ran for 20 episodes across three seasons is available to watch in full on BBC iPlayer. Hamish MacBeth is a perfect comfort watch for the autumn period with viewers hailing it a 'BBC Scotland gem'. One left a review on IMDB that read: "I can't believe it took us 26 years after the fact to discover this BBC Scotland gem! It's touching, it's funny at times, it's cute. It's inspiring. It's a who dunnit. But mostly it's just Scottish. Really really Scottish."
