Hamish Macbeth

I have just started watching this show because it is offered on satelite here in Japan. I love it, and enjoy the small-town characters and situations. I am of Scotish ancestry and enjoy seeing something of the countryside and Scotish people. Also, the acting is great and the characters are fun. Hamish MacBeth is played by the very talented Robert Carlyle. Hamish is the small-town police officer who is inter-twined with the town. He is part of the town yet has to be the law as well, which puts him into situations on occasion. The townfolk are great and well played. I wish that the show had more seasons than it did, but I am glad to have what I can get! If you are a fan of Scotland or small towns and mysteries, then you'll enjoy this one!

It's a bit weird. And it's a lot Scottish. And it's a bit all over the place. Disembodied spirits. Crimes. Not crimes. Drama. And lil of the old slap and tickle. 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 dunit. But mostly it's just Scottish. Really really Scottish. So glad we found this. I will DEFINITELY be buying the DVD's. I'd put this right up there with the best American televised cop shows. It's Jim Rockford meets Barney Miller. With westies! Give it a chance. You won't regret it.

Haven't read the books but like this series for all the reasons others gave, just started watching. From what I've seen & heard most people are disappointed if they see film versions after reading the book.

For the reviewer who had a question about the oxen, they are Scottish Highlands breed.

I worked in the Highlands as a cop. Beautiful area, crazy people :). Although this is a TV show, it reminds me of some of the must things that happened. Haven't read the book so I can't comment but this is pretty much what it's like being posted to a single-manned station in the middle of nowhere.

I wholeheartedly recommend this series of the small town constable Hamish MacBeth. It does remind me a lot of Northern Exposure, but without the constant whining of Rob Morrow as Dr. Joel Fleishman. This series is so well written that it always makes you feel like you're a member of the village of Lochdubh. The scenery is gorgeous, the background music is perfect and the story lines are actually pretty simple with the focus on the people and their day to day lives. It is so refreshing to view a series that does not depend on outrageous situations to get by like ABC's Desperate Housewives....the Brits are light years ahead of anything that Hollywood can put out...and have been for decades. Both of my daughters ( ages 20 and 24) LOVE this series. I am sad they only made 3 seasons worth, but, each and every episode is first rate quality....even if I can't understand a lot of their dialog...their Scottish accent is accurate and hasn't been dumbed down for us Americans. A true first rate series that I will recommend to anyone.