Take the High Road

I have been watching this great show for five years and am so disappointed that it has been taken off air. In Australia we reached only to the end of 1993 so we missed a lot. How can TV stations leave regular viewers stranded like this. I would like to receive any copies that readers have recorded (shall pay). This is one of the best programmes to come out of Scotland. (I am of Scottish descent). The characterization is superb and the settings are so easy on the eyes. The plots often touch on many day to day subjects such as loneliness, happiness, the might of big business; marriage break ups; difficulties faced by small farmers; cot death etc all without foul language, overdone sexual references, murders etc. All ages are represented from the elderly, the lone unmarried, the middle ages to the young at heart and the plots deal with happenings relative to each age group and are skilfully intertwined. What a sad loss!! As I said in my letters to BBC and ABC, I hope all the evil spirits in Scottish castles come to haunt all those horrible, inconsiderate nobodies responsible for its demise. Ron Sawers

This soap opera is both bleak and dull, in fact, too bleak to even call proper entertainment. How people could even sit and watch it, I shall never know. No wonder it's been axed, it is one of the worst soap opera's in the history of television.

It's the equivalent of spending a two week holiday inside a Nazi concentration camp. It's absolute torture to watch, full of potholes of plotholes,. ropey dialogue that could have come from one of those British movies of the late 1960's, and there are too mant stereotypes against the Scottish folk, so therefore, it's a little racist in it's own way.

This unique Scottish drama deserves credit for much more than its charming highland setting and lovable characters. It is the skillful craftsmanship of its screenplay which attracts. The creators of this show delve into the inner thoughts and complex emotions of the characters in a way which renders it a delicate, rich, humanistic drama which satisfies, rather than a superficial "soapie" with simplistic characterisation and sensationalised plots. The scriptwriter forces unlikely characters to meet and interact in unusual moments; compels them to share experiences with those whom they are not often inclined to confide. The script is constantly challenging the diverse characters and our perceptions of them by betraying undiscovered qualities within each; teasingly revealing unexpected compassion and secret vices to tempt an eager audience. This show is a textual gem and I'm so pleased that it has been given the continuing recognition it deserves.

12.30pm weedays would not be the same without my "fix" of "Take the High Road". Delighted to see (Michael, Melbourne) that the ABC has bought the whole series. When I enquired they were reluctant to say, so I hope Michael has good info! Totally charming if a tad predictable (what soapy isn't?) the scenery and the soft Highland accents would make this a worthwhile 20 minutes to spend relaxing over lunch.

High Road has be on Tv for over 20 years and what sets it a side from todays other soaps is that the format has not changed and the storyline carries on at its own gentle pace. Characters like Mrs Mack and Isabel Blair have been on the show since its launch in 1980. The storyline takes place around the village of Glendarroch in Scotland and much of the action takes place at the Glendarroch estate or Blair's Store. A gem in the afternoon Tv Schedules long may High Road continue.