Cultural matters: Scottish TV

To me, one of the most enjoyable aspects of travel is to immerse oneself into the culture before arriving at your destination. And for Britain, there are so many ways to do this – through books, magazines, radio (all BBC Radio programs are free on the web for Americans), films, and especially television.

Later I will post clips and trailers for several mainstream British shows (i.e., those shown throughout the UK). But today, let's look at some shows produced by STV (Scotland Television) and BBC Scotland for primarily a Scottish audiences (although a few of these became hits in the UK and beyond). This will give you a flavor of the diversity of accents we'll be encountering.

Case Histories

A brand new show. Based on the novels by Kate Atkinson, and stars Scottish actor Jason Isaacs (Lucius Malfoy in the Harry Potter movies, and Draco's father), this a crime mystery series based in Edinburgh. Here's a trailer for it (and it is available in the US on DVD).

Rebus

Based on the worldwide bestselling crime novels by Edinburgh-native Ian Rankin, these STV shows adapted several novels featuring Detective John Rebus. He was played by two actors (John Hannah, pictured, and then Ken Stott). Filmed primarily in Edinburgh.

Trailer (Ken Stott version)


Opening titles (John Hannah version)

Burnistoun

This is a popular comedy sketch show from BBC Scotland starring Glasgow comedians Iain Connell and Robert Florence. It's a series of short sketches all based in a fictional West Scotland town. The second season (called series in the UK) will be playing while we are in Scotland.

Clip 1: Burnistoun Tourist Board



Clip 2 Awkward Eye Contact at the Gym (contains some mild language)

Chewin the Fat

Another Glasgow-based BBC sketch comedy show that ran from 1999 to 2002, yet still has a big following. Starred Greg Hemphill and Karen Dunbar (more with her below).

Clip 1


Clip 2 Shakira parody (mild language)

Single Father

A 4-part 2010 mini series about a newly widowed father of three (played by David Tennant of Doctor Who and Harry Potter fame). Excellent, emotional drama. Filmed in Edinburgh and Glasgow by BBC Scotland. (Can you tell that the BBC Scotland is based in Glasgow?)

Trailer

The Karen Dunbar Show

A BBC Scotland produced comedy sketch show from 2002-2005 that is still popular. Stars the popular comedian from Ayr, Scotland, Karen Dunbar (from Chewin the Fat).

Clip 1: Paperclip as a Q-tip


Clip 2 Group photo

Taggart

The longest running police drama in the UK (has been on since 1983), This is about a Glasgow Police Detective named Jim Taggart, who was played by Mark McManus till his death in 1994. But instead of replacing him, they killed off the character and simply kept the series going.

Trailer for most recent season