SKIRTING THE ISSUES
THE SUN (SCOTLAND)
27 SEPTEMBER 2003

Monarch Of The Glen Sunday BBC1 NEW

It’s not only Hamish Clark’s acting that keeps fans of the Scottish star coming back for more.

As a new series of the Highland drama Monarch Of The Glen begins, Hamish Clark, who plays loveable guide Duncan, can expect yet more fan mail.

It seems that the female population can’t resist a man in a kilt!

Duncan has a lowly status, he’s honest and vulnerable, which is appealing to women,” says 36-year-old Hamish. “And the kilt is an attraction, too, if my mail is anything to go by!

“This is the fifth series and all this time I’ve been wearing a kilt more often than trousers!”

Hamish is joined in the latest series by regulars Molly (Susan Hampshire) and newlyweds Laird Archie and Lexie (Alastair Mackenzie and Dawn Steele), as well as some new faces.

The opening episode gets off to an explosive start. Duncan stores a trunk full of his grandfather’s memorabilia in the cellar of Glenbogle House, but he and Archie then discover that the trunk contains a still-live First World War bomb!

Originally from Broughty Ferry near Dundee, Hamish is now based in Primrose Hill, north London, although for eight months a year he lives in the Highlands, where Monarch is filmed. While he is single,
he insists he is nothing like the shy, bumbling Duncan.

“I have lots of energy, like he does,” reveals Hamish. “So women often say, ‘Oh, you’re just like him.’ But when I start talking, they realise that, unlike Duncan, I’m at ease with them.

“I’ve never been shy with women. As a swotty teenager, I spent my time studying or playing rugby and talked to girls naturally without any thought of romance at all. By the time I went away to university
in Edinburgh and started thinking of girlfriends, I was beyond being shy.”

Duncan has the chance of a highland fling with the arrival of Hermione-the niece of neighbouring landowner Kilwillie (Julian Fellowes)-and her overbearing mother, Lady Dorothy, who will take
over his estate.

“Hermione takes an instant shine to Duncan. He’s terrified but the man doesn’t stand a chance!” laughs Hamish.

Although Alastair Mackenzie is leaving later this series-his character goes to the Himalayas “to find himself”-Hamish doesn’t believe the show will suffer.

“Alastair leaving was a big loss but new characters have been brought in to liven up the series and they fit in brilliantly,” he says. “I think the show is better now than it’s ever been.

NEW FACES
LADY DOROTHY (Richenda Carey) Kilwillie’s snobbish sister. She comes to visit him initially and winds up lots of people with her patronising ways.
HERMIONE (Hermione Gulliver) Lady Dorothy’s spoilt daughter. Pushy and overbearing, she takes a fancy to helpless Duncan from the start!
EWAN (Martin Compston) Likeable tearaway with an eye for the ladies
who gets work on the estate after his family move to the area from
Glasgow.