# List of Take the High Road characters

This is a list of characters who appeared in the Scottish soap opera Take the High Road, broadcast from 1980 to 2003.

## Series 1 (1980)

The first episode was broadcast by Scottish Television on 19 February 1980 and the series of 30 was broadcast two episodes per week till 28 May 1980.

### First episode

In credits order:
* Elizabeth Cunningham (Edith MacArthur)
* Alan McIntyre (Martin Cochrane)
* Kay Grant (Vivien Heilbron)
* Max Langemann (Frederick Jaeger)
* Dougal Lachlan (Alec Monteath)
* Grace Lachlan (Marjorie Thomson)
* Amy Lachlan (Julie Ann Fullarton)
* Isabel Blair (Eileen McCallum)
* Jimmy Blair (Jimmy Chisholm)
* Ken Calder (Bill Henderson)
* Maggie Ferguson (Irene Sunters)
* Lorna Seton (Joan Alcorn)
* Fiona Cunningham (Caroline Ashley)

### Other debut appearances in Series 1

* "Mrs Archie" (Anne Downie) – episode 9
* David Blair (Derek Anders) – episode 3
* George Carradine (Leon Sinden) – episode 22 only
* Rev. Gordon Cockburn (Roy Boutcher) – episode 4
* John Crawford (Andrew Downie) – episode 9
* Peter Cunningham (Donald Douglas) – episode 17
* Eric Duff (Hugh Evans) – episode 3; last seen in episode 7
* Ian Duff (Gregor Fisher) – episode 3; last seen in episode 7
* Willi von Haupt (Ian Patrick) – episode 8 only
* Donald Lachlan (Master Alan Dunbar) – episode 3
* Alice McEwan (Muriel Romanes) – episode 8
* Leslie Maxwell (Andrew Robertson) – episode 6
* Archie Menzies (Paul Kermack) – episode 9
* Andy Semple (Alexander Morton) – episode 13; absconds in episode 14
* Jane Steedman (Ingrid Hafner) – episode 14
* Bob Taylor (Iain Agnew) – episode 5
* 'Sorry' Watson (Ron Paterson) – episode 25
* Mr Wedderburn (Willie Joss) – episode 13 only
* sheep rustlers (Ricky Don and Bill MacFarlane) – episodes 16 & 18 only

### Departing characters who make return appearances

* Andy Semple

### Final appearances

* John Crawford
* Eric Duff
* Ian Duff
* Amy Lachlan (died in episode 2)
* Max Langemann
* Leslie Maxwell

## Series 2 (1980)

The second series had 26 episodes (nos. 31–56) broadcast from 14 October 1980 to 7 January 1981.

### Debut appearances in Series 2

* Brian Blair (Kenneth Watson)
* Dr Wallace (Michael Elder)

### Final appearances

* "Mrs Archie"
* Kay Grant
* Alan McIntyre

## Series 3 (1981)

The third series had 26 episodes (nos. 57–82) broadcast from 7 April 1981 to 2 July 1981.

### Debut appearances in Series 3

* Lucy Armstrong (Marjorie Dalziel)
* Helen Blair (Bridget Biagi)
* Douglas Dunbar (Clive Graham)
* Kirsty Forsyth (Anna Davidson)
* Alison Lambert (Carol Ann Crawford)
* Hamish McNeil (William Armour)
* Morag Stewart (Jeannie Fisher)
* Lady Strathmorris (Ellen McIntosh)
* Lord Andrew Strathmorris (Bernard Gallagher)
* Malky Wilson (Freddie Boardley)

### Final appearances

* Jane Steedman
* Malky Wilson

## Series 4 (1981–1982)

The fourth series had 44 episodes (nos. 83–126) broadcast from 6 October 1981 to 18 March 1982.

### Debut appearances in Series 4

* Tom Clifton (Jonathan Battersby)
* Peter Craig (Jay Smith)
* Robert Forsyth (Ian Wallace)
* Sojer Johnny (Chic Murray)

### Departing characters
## Series 5 (1982)

The fifth series had 36 episodes (nos. 127–162) broadcast from 24 August 1982 to 23 December 1982.

### Debut appearances in Series 5

* Kate Blair (Lucy Durham-Matthews)
* Sarah Cunningham (Claire Nielson)
* Bruno Rheinhardt (Tony Caunter)
* Alec Geddes (James Cosmo)
* Graeme B. Hogg (Jim Byars)
* Tom Kerr aka "Inverdarroch" (John Stahl)
* Mrs Mary Mack (Gwyneth Guthrie)
* Rev Iain McPherson (John Young)
* Mr Obidiah Arthur Murdoch (Robert Trotter)
* Sergeant Murray (James McDonald)
* Jackie Ogilvie (Hazel McBride)
* Eddie Ramsay (Robin Cameron)
* Jean Semple (Jeni Giffen)
* Jamie Stewart (James Copeland)
* Mrs Woods (Primrose Milligan)

### Departing characters who make return appearances

* Maggie Ferguson – as Maggie Watson

### Departing characters
## Series 6 (1983–1984)

The sixth series had 88 episodes (nos. 163–234) broadcast from 7 August 1983 to 20 March 1984.

### Debut appearances in Series 6

* Jock Campbell (Iain Stewart)
* Marion Cochrane (Lizzie Radford)
* Dan Lamont (Ray Jeffries)
* Irene Lamont (Trudy Bryce) -EN's granny
* Sheila Lamont (Lesley Fitz-Simons)
* Effie MacInnes (Mary Riggans)
* Carol McKay (Terri Lally)
* John Morrison (Adrian Reynolds)
* Mr Thomson (John Shedden)
* Miss Richardson (Sheila Grier)

### Characters making return appearances

* Maggie Watson

### Final appearances

* Douglas Dunbar
* John Morrison
* Jackie Ogilvie
* Miss Richardson
* Mr Thomson

## Series 7 (1984–1985)

The seventh series had 44 episodes (nos. 235–276) broadcast from 4 September 1984 to 7 February 1985.

### Debut appearances in Series 7

* Davie Sneddon (Derek Lord) Episode 237
* Sally Shaw (Judith Sweeney)
* Willie Stewart (Walter Carr)
* Lily Taylor (Thelma Rogers) Episode 246

### Return guest appearances

* Maggie Watson

### Departing characters who make return appearances

* Jimmy Blair
* Sally Shaw

## Series 8 (1985)

The eighth series had 44 episodes (nos. 277–334) broadcast from 14 May 1985 to 3 October 1985.

### Debut appearances in Series 8

* Sandra Blair (Johanna Hargreaves)
* Florence Crossan (Gwyneth Guthrie)
* Ruari Galbraith (Charles Jamieson)
* Rev Parker (Paul Young)
* Mrs Russell (Fay Lenore)

### Return appearances

* Lily Taylor

### Departing characters who make return appearances in later years

* Sandra Blair
* Florence Crossan
* Lily Taylor

### Final appearances

* Ken Calder

## 1986

Starting on 18 March 1986, the ninth (episodes 334–415)

### Debut appearances

* Joyce Cameron (Georgine Anderson)
* Willie Gillespie (Joe Mullaney)
* Mr Hendry (Gerry Slevin)
* Jim Hunter (Alan Cumming)
* Fergus Jamieson (Frank Wylie)
* Jockie McDonald (Jackie Farrell)
* Heather McNeil (Bridget McCann)
* Constable Graham McPhee (Stuart Bishop)
* Mrs Jean McTaggart (Jean Faulds)
* Harry Shaw (Lawrie McNicol)
* Oggie Wilson (Sean Scanlon)

### Characters making return appearances

* Jimmy Blair
* Sally Shaw

### Departing characters who will make return appearances

* Jim Hunter
* Eddie Ramsay
* Harry Shaw
* Sally Shaw

### Final appearances

* Jimmy Blair
* Joyce Cameron
* Elizabeth Cunningham
* Mr Hendry

## 1987

Starting on 2 February 1987 (episodes 416–1517) was a continuous run till the last episode on 27 April 2003. There were some gaps in regular transmission, though storylines continued uninterrupted on each resumption. However, there was 4 month Story gap between Episode 728 - 729, but there was no gap in transmission.

### Debut appearances

* Susan Duncan (Jacqueline Gilbride)
* Lynne McNeil (Gillian McNeil)
* Mairi McNeil (Anne Myatt)
* Eric Ross-Gifford (Richard Greenwood)
* Joanna Ross-Gifford (Tamara Kennedy)
* Sir John Ross-Gifford (Michael Browning)
* Lady Margaret Ross-Gifford (Jan Waters)
* Nan Anderson (Marjorie Dalziel)

### Return appearances

* Harry Shaw
* Sally Shaw

### Character re-casting

* Willie Gillespie (Ewen Emery replaces Joe Mullaney)
* Donald Lachlan (Steven Brown takes over the role.)

### Final appearances

* Jamie Stewart (James Copeland)
* Mrs Russell
* Mrs Mctavish

## 1988
### Debut appearances

* Gladys Aitken (Ginni Barlow)
* Mrs Galbraith (Diana Ollson)
* Claire Kerr (Julie Miller)
* Scott Logan (Micky MacPherson)
* Tam Logan (John Murtagh)
* Joe Reilly (Ian Bleasdale)
* Moira Reilly (Anne Kidd)
* Lady William (Madeline Christie)
* Michael Ross (Gordon MacArthur)
* Mark Ritchie (Peter Raffan)
* Vieven Howard (Kay Gallie)

### Returning characters

* Peter Cunningham
* Jim Hunter
* Sorry Watson

### Final appearances

* Peter Craig
* Joe Reilly
* Moira Reilly
* Jim Hunter
* Tam Logan
* Lady Margaret Ross Gifford
* Vieven Howard
* Constable Graham McPhee

## 1989
### Debut appearances

* Emma Aitken (Amanda Whitehead)
* Colin Begg (Kern Falconer)

### Character re-casting

* Alice Taylor (Barbara Rafferty replaces Muriel Romanes)

### Return appearances

* Susan Duncan
* David Blair
* Harry Shaw
* Eddie Ramsay
* Jock Campbell

### Final appearances

* Peter Cunningham (early 1989)
* Sorry Watson (early 1989)
* Calsang
* Scott Logan
* Harry Shaw
* Lord Strathmorris
* Jock Campbell

## 1990
### Characters making return guest appearances

* Sandra Blair
* Andy Semple
* Maggie Watson
* Lily Wentworth

### Final appearances

* Sandra Blair
* Brian Blair
* Hamish McNeil
* Rev Parker
* Mark Ritchie
* Sir John Ross Gifford
* Lorna Seton
* Alice Taylor
* Bob Taylor
* Maggie Watson
* Lady William
* Sergeant Murray

### March Onwards

In March 1990, a major production change took place which resulted in a number of longer term cast members being replaced and six new male characters being introduced.

#### Debut appearances

* Paul Martin (Peter Bruce)
* Gary McDonald (Joseph McFadden)
* Sadie McDonald (Doreen Cameron)
* Trish McDonald (Natalie J. Robb)
* Jessie McKay (Wilma Duncan)
* Alun Morgan (Mike Hayward)
* Greg Ryder (Alan Hunter)
* Kenny Tosh (Alistair Galbraith)
* Tee Jay Wilson (Andrew Gillan)
* Shona (Eilidh Fraser/Alicia Devine)

#### Departing characters who will return later

* Mr Murdoch (returned later in year)
* Nan Anderson (returns ep751)
* Davie Sneddon (returns ep757)
* Eddie Ramsay ( Returned in 1991)
* Tom Kerr aka "Inverdarroch" ( returned in 1992)
* Claire Kerr ( returns in 2001)

#### Final appearances

* Archie Menzies ( Actor died)
* Lily Wentworth

## 1991
### Debut appearances

* Sam Hagen (Briony McRoberts)
* Mr Crawford (James Bryce)
* PC Douglas Kirk (Graeme Robertson)
* Margo McGeogh (Mandy Matthews)
* Gordon Sinclair (Paul Hickey)
* Matt Sinclair (Jake D'Arcy)
* Peggy Sinclair (Donalda Samuel)
* Andrew Wilson (Bill Murdoch)
* Cathy Wilson (Jo Cameron Brown)
* Stephen Ogilvie ( Roger McGeachin)

### Characters making return guest appearances

* Florence Crossan (Gwyneth Guthrie)
* Andy Semple

### Final appearances

* Florence Crossan
* Paul Martin
* Mr McPherson
* Kenny Tosh

## 1992
### Debut appearances

* Joe Breslin (Kenneth Glenaan)
* DI Busby (Laurie Ventry)
* Leonard Carter (Robert Robertson)
* John Clark (Alan McHugh)
* Jennifer Goudie (Victoria Burton)
* Cecelia Hunter (Eiledh Fraser)
* Celia Maxwell (Annette Staines)
* Catriona McNeil (Lynsey Jane Thompson)
* Sandy McNeil (Rainer Ross)
* Menna Morgan (Manon Jones)
* Nick Stapleton (Stephen Hogan)
* Duncan Strachan (Ron Donachie)
* Mark Torrance (Gary Bakewell)
* Dr Benjamin Jenkins (Troy Fairclough)
* Leonard Carter (Robert Robertson)

### Characters making return appearances

* Tom Kerr

### Departing characters who will make return appearances

* DI Busby
* Jennifer Goudie
* Mr Murdoch
* Mrs Woods

### Final appearances

* Nan Anderson
* John Clark
* Donald Lachlan
* Dougal Lachlan
* Gladys Lachlan
* Gordon Sinclair
* Mark Torrance

## 1993
### Debut appearances

* Judith Crombie (Anne Marie Timoney)
* Angus McTavish - John Grieve
* Iain Strathmorris (James Coombes)

### Characters making return appearances

* Jennifer Goudie
* DI Busby
* Andy Semple

### Final appearances

* Leonard Carter
* Jennifer Goudie
* Jessie McKay
* Fiona Ryder
* Greg Ryder

## 1994
### Characters making return appearances

Irene Lamont

### Final appearances

* Sadie McDonald
* Angus McTavish
* Emma Aitken - Ep1106
* Fergus Jamieson - Ep1106 ( actor died)
* Lynne McNeil - Ep1106
* Nick Stapleton - Ep1106
* Duncan Strachan - Ep1106
* Andy Semple - Ep1106
* Iain Strathmorris - Ep1106
* Irene Lamont
* DI Busby - Ep1122

### Departing characters who will make return appearances

* Tom Kerr - ep1106 ( returns in 1996)
* Sam Hagen - ep1106 ( returns in Ep 1123)

#### Characters making their last regular appearances

* Grace Lachlan - Ep1106
* Jean McTaggart - Ep1106

### High Road

From July 1994 with the series being renamed "High Road" a major change in production took place.

#### Characters making return appearances

* Mr Murdoch - (Ep 1138)
* Mrs Woods -

#### Debut appearances

* Tiffany Bowles (Rachel Ogilvy)
* Callum Gilchrist (Jim Webster)
* Sarah Gilchrist (Shonagh Price)
* Phineas North (William Tapley)

## 1995
### Debut appearances

* Chic Cherry (Andy Cameron)
* Jaffa Cherry (Rab Christie)
* Dominic Dunbar (Gary Hollywood)
* Peter Odell (Ross Davidson)
* Ewan Patterson (David McGowan)
* Cheryl Thom (Kerry Lyn Hamilton)

### Return guest appearances

* Grace Lachlan - Episode 1150
* Jean McTaggart - Episode 1150

### Departing characters who will make return appearances

* Alun Morgan - Episode 1190
* Michael Ross - Episode 1195
* Susan Ross - Episode 1195

### Final appearances

* Stephen Ogilvie
* Grace Lachlan - Episode 1150
* Jean McTaggart - Episode 1150
* Judith Crombie -
* Mr Murdoch - Episode 1175
* Tee Jay Wilson - Episode 1181
* Mrs Woods

## 1996
### Debut appearances

* Kelly Marie Cherry (Catherine Keating)
* Senga Cherry (Libby McArthur)
* Stella Greg (Anne Downie)
* Victor Kemp (Iain Andrew)
* Sally McGann (Catriona Evans)
* Paul Lafferty (Simon Weir)

### Guest appearances's

* Moria Gilby (Sheila Donald)
* Ronald Gilby (Walter Carr)

### Returning characters

* Tom Kerr
* Alun Morgan
* Michael Ross
* Susan Ross
* Phineas North
* Cheryl Thom

### Final appearances

* Alun Morgan - ep1223
* Susan Ross - ep1223
* Dr Wallace - ep1230
* Michael Ross - ep1247
* Ewan Patterson - ep1247
* PC Douglas Kirk - ep1247

## 1997
### Debut appearances

* Dylan Geddes (Stephen Callaghan)
* Martin Geddes (Alex Harvey)
* Kitty McIvor (Sarah Gudgeon)
* Lachie McIvor (Alec Heggie)
* PC Tony Piacentini (Alan McHugh)
* Dr Andy Sharp (Richard Conlon)

### Final appearances

* Tiffany Bowles
* Dylan Geddes
* Martin Geddes
* Gary McDonald
* Menna Morgan
* Peter O'Dell
* Carol Wilson
* Cheryl Thom

## 1998
### Debut appearances

* Jude Burnett (Deborah McCallum)
* Maureen Gilchrist (Lesley Mackie)
* Tina Harrigan (Amanda Beveridge)

### Character re-casting

* Sandy McNeil (Joel Strachan replaces Rainer Ross)

### Returning characters

* Sandy McNeil

### Final appearances

* Stella Greg

## 1999
### Debut appearances

* Ewan Logan (Gordon Brown)
* Dan Sutherland (John Havlin)

### Returning characters

* Tina Harrigan

### Final appearances

* Jude Burnett
* Tina Harrigan
* Trish McDonald
* Sandy McNeil

## 2000
### Debut appearances

* Siobhan Devlin (Chrissi Jo Hyde)
* Nigel Jenkins (Keith Warwick)
* Liam Peters (Garry Sweeney)

### Departing characters who will return

* Joanna Ross-Gifford
* Kitty McIvor

### Final appearances

* Sam Hagen
* Dr Andy Sharp

## 2001

Debut appearances
* George McCracken (Malcolm Hemmings)

### Departing characters

* Eric Ross-Gifford

### Return guest appearances

* Claire Kerr
* George Carradine (Leon Sinden)

## 2002
### Debut appearances

* Dr Douglas Clark (John Kazek)
* Mr Spinetti (Terry Wale)

### Departing characters

* Eddie Ramsay

### Characters who depart until final episode

* Isabel Blair

## 2003
### Debut appearances

* Niall Cassidy – Barry Lord

### Returning characters

* Joanna Ross-Gifford

### Characters who return for the final episode

* Isabel Blair
* Kitty McIvor
* Lynne McNeil

### Cast list from the final episode

* Isabel Blair (Eileen McCallum)
* Sheila Ramsay (Lesley Fitz-Simons)
* Effie McDonald (Mary Riggans)
* Jockie McDonald (Jackie Farrell)
* Mairi McIvor (Anne Myatt)
* Lachie MacIvor (Alec Heggie)
* Morag Kerr (Jeannie Fisher)
* Tom Kerr (John Stahl)
* Mrs Mack (Gwyneth Guthrie)
* Victor Kemp (Iain Andrew)
* Nigel Jenkins (Keith Warwick)
* Davie Sneddon (Derek Lord)
* Niall Cassidy (Barry Lord)
* Alec MacGlashan (Stewart McMinn)
* Sally McGann (Catriona Evans)
* Sarah McDonald (Shonagh Price)
* Baby Sadie McDonald (Courtney Jane McWatt)
* PC Tony Piacentini (Alan McHugh)
* Chic Cherry (Andy Cameron)
* Paul Lafferty (Simon Weir)
* Ewan Logan (Gordon Brown)
* Mr Spinetti (Terry Wale)
* Kitty McIvor (Sarah Gudgeon)
* Lynne McNeil (Gillian McNeil)
* Surveyor (Ronnie Simon)
* Dr Douglas Clark (John Kazek)