Fans of cosy comedy-dramas are being urged to revisit a forgotten BBC gem, Monarch of the Glen, which has received glowing praise from viewers. The series, which aired throughout the 2000s, has been hailed as "the best that telly has had to offer in a very long while" by one fan on IMDb.
The show follows young restaurateur Archie MacDonald, played by Alastair Mackenzie, as he returns to his childhood home in the Scottish Highlands after inheriting the title of Laird of Glenbogle. He abandons his hectic London life to manage the crumbling estate, grappling with enormous debts and a temperamental workforce, with support from his partner Justine (Anna Wilson-Jones).
Monarch of the Glen has earned strong ratings on IMDb, with one reviewer awarding it 10/10 and praising its "excellent series, quirky, charming" qualities. Another fan wrote: "Amazing, makes you fall in love with Scotland and its people," highlighting the show's values of honesty, faithfulness, and forgiveness.
The series was loosely based on Sir Compton Mackenzie's Highland Novels but updated to a modern setting. It spanned seven series, filmed across stunning locations including the Cairngorms, Badenoch, Strathspey, and Ardverikie House on Loch Laggan. The cast included Richard Briers, Susan Hampshire, and Julian Fellowes in his most substantial acting role as Lord Kilwillie.
