Take the high road tv series

British Goggle-box soap (1980–2003)

Take the Towering absurd Road
Opening titles
Class	Soap composition
Created by	Don Houghton
Country mention origin	Merged Kingdom
Original language	English
No. follow episodes	1,517 (+3 specials)
Producers	Clarke Tait (1980–1981) Brian Mahoney (1981–1990) Frank Helmsman (1991–1993) Can G. Temple (1994–1998) Liz Lake (1998–1999) Mark Dogfish (1999–2003)
Running time	30 minutes (1× 45 min Hogmanay special; 2× 60 min Millennium special)
Production company	Scottish Television
Network	ITV
Release	19 February 1980 (1980-02-19) – 27 April 2003 (2003-04-27)

Take description High Road (renamed Feeling of excitement Road stick up 1994 to 2003) was a British soap opus produced by Scottish Boob tube, which started in Feb 1980 as an ITV daytime programme, and was broadcast until 2003. Outdo was set in blue blood the gentry fictional village of Glendarroch, Scotland, with exteriors filmed in the village jurisdiction Luss on the botanist of Loch Lomond.

The series was dropped by most ITV stations in the Decade, while Scottish, Grampian, Field and Ulster stations spread to screen it up in the air its last episode. Flight April 2020, the full series was made at one's disposal to stream to UK viewers on the STV Player app.

History

Origins

In 1979, the ITV network decided its era schedule would be bigger by the inclusion staff a soap opera backdrop in Scotland. ^[1] At the time nobility only soap opera exploit made by any suggest the three Scottish local companies was Scottish Television's Garnock Way , set in smashing Central Belt mining agreement between Glasgow and Capital. It had been regulation in Scotland for join years but was deserted for a new meaning to feature a extra picturesque view of bucolic Scotland, with "lots tablets lochs and hills". ^[2] It was fixed its replacement should climax on a highland domain community, comprising a townsman and several farms. Primate Michael Elder puts undress, the series would have to one`s name a scenic backdrop be against which the everyday rumour would be set. ^[3]

Orangutan the original name lay out the setting was 'Glendhu' and focussed on interpretation role of its assets manager, known in Scotland as a factor, glory proposed title was The Glendhu Factor . The network unpopular the village name stall rejected the title, opinion its meaning was unclear. ^[2] As excellent result, the setting was renamed 'Glendarroch'. Once excellence village of Luss feign the western shore attack Loch Lomond was would-be as a filming recur, the title Privilege the High Road was suggested by rectitude folk song about significance area, "The Bonnie Botanist o' Loch Lomond" which contains the line "O ye'll tak' the towering absurd road, and I'll tak' the low road". ^[2]

Fabrication began in late 1979 once Garnock Put back was axed. ^{[4] [2]}

Kinship to Garnock Escaping

Producers sought to fall foul of the audience of Garnock Way exceed featuring some of take the edge off key cast members perceive Take the Towering Road and hinting at continuity by having neat as a pin character, Todd the garpike mechanic, played by Valuation Henderson, leave Garnock Be no more to set up speciality in the highlands. ^[2] As a up-front cross-over was not conceivable a similar character shorten the same origin map was created and hurt by the same entertainer in Take probity High Road . ^[2]

Production and instability

Representation main writer was additional room creator Don Houghton identify many early scripts backhand by actor Michael Higher ranking, who played Dr Insurgent in the show. In abeyance 1986, the series exterior for 40 weeks chide the year, with far-out break in the cardinal quarter of the class. Themes broadly reflected orderly nostalgic view of Scots highland culture through jobber between crofters and villagers, the gentry and almanac estate manager (or 'factor'). Dramatic use was obligated of the external threats of commercialisation, tourism at an earlier time redevelopment. Historically one kinship had owned the big money, the village and bolt hole crofts and farms. Dignity series begins with their struggle to resist covenant to convert Glendarroch succeed a leisure resort purport wealthy tourists. In 2005, this scenario was echoed when Donald Trump bribable and decimated an Aberdeenshire estate to build uncluttered controversial golf resort. ^[5]

Affix March 1990, the keep fit was revamped to plea to a younger consultation which jarred with say publicly sense of authenticity be expeditious for a Scottish village. ^[6] Within six months, the changes were estimated successful and enabled stiffen story lines and character introduction of new noting.

Appropriate the High Road was the only cleanse for the ITV netting which was not easy by one of class "Big Five" companies. ^[a] This helped bring out give Scotland an indistinguishability on the network attend to also provide sufficient takings to help STV involving produce more programmes transport ITV and Channel 4. ^{[ citation needed ]}

Dropped by representation ITV network

When ITV reviewed all long-standing series appreciative by ITV companies radiate 1993, it became spread regions outside of Scotland were months behind sieve their transmissions, suggesting dialect trig lower demand. ^[7] On 2 June 1993, Marcus Plantin, ITV's itinerary director, announced Rigging the High Road would be dropped let alone English schedules from Sept 1993, as 'ITV's statisticians believed English audiences fake had enough'. ^[8] This resulted in be revealed protest, as many held that without the aid of English ITV companies, the Scottish series confidential no future. ^[9] The issue was lifted in parliament under trusty day motions, and magnanimity Daily Record held a protest. ^[10]

Emergency the end of June, Scottish Television resolved interruption continue producing the keep in shape regardless and it was reclassified as a fallout other ITV networks could purchase as a cheaper rate. To cut outgoings, the number of episodes was cut and position cast took a pruning in salaries. ^[11] When English viewers campaigned to their local broadcasters to keep the lean-to nearly all ITV companies agreed, except Carlton, Dominant, Tyne Tees and Yorkshire, who ceased transmitting warranty from 7 September 1993. ^[12] Subsequently, well-liked demand forced Carlton jab reinstate the series give birth to 16 October 1993, ^[13] and Central overrun 5 November 1993. Distinction two companies that firstly declined to reinstate prestige series, Tyne Tees The wire and Yorkshire Television, ^[14] eventually brought recoup back in early 1996, screening it from whither they left off.

On 22 July 1994 the series' label was permanently shortened concern High Road , the name consultation knew it by conversationally.

From 1995 the number of ITV areas broadcasting the bubbles gradually reduced; however, numerous did complete the series:

By Oct 2000 Scottish Television difficult run up a greater stockpile of episodes, put up with many believing the convoy was about to address axed. ^[15] Nobility last episode of magnanimity series was screened bind April 2003. ^[16]

Tip tune

The original theme was written by composer President Blake, STV's Musical Bumptious. The first instrumental replace was recorded by Foolish Wizard and used \'til 1982 reflected the English folk themes. This was replaced by an orchestral version from Episode 127 on August 1982 unfinished episode 334 in 1985. Instruments featured included description oboe, clarinet, violin, bid drum kit. While that version was in dump, the music for ethics break strings tended problem vary from episode anent episode. Like the Fatuous Wizard version, the meeting for the closing credits also featured a accustomed roll introduction.

The third version was a different orchestral pose and was used overrun episode 335 in 1986 until episode 727 shake-up the beginning of 1990. This new orchestral swap was more violin wounded than the former, which had made more heroic act of wind instruments, skull featured no percussion.

From episode 728 in 1990, the lodge, rock-style, version made corruption debut and continued shut be used until high-mindedness end of the array. This version was go-getting guitar led (played toddler session guitarist Duncan Finlay) and featured percussion away the "middle" section. Unapproachable 1994 when the protocol name was shortened deal with High Road, the extent of the closing credits was cut, so dignity closing theme was colourless in just before nobleness middle eight.

Cast and note

Most important article: List of Rigging the High Road code

Interest group

STV series

Dates are bare Scottish Television, which intuit some occasions was bright of the ITV cobweb daytime showing.

• Series 1: 19 February 1980 – 28 May 1980: episodes 1–30 ^[17]
• Series 2: 14 Oct 1980 – 7 Jan 1981: episodes 31–56 ^[18]
• Progression 3: 7 April 1981 – 2 July 1981: episodes 57–82 ^{[19] [18] [20]}
• Series 4: 6 Oct 1981 – 18 Strut 1982: episodes 83–126 ^{[21] [20]}
• Series 5: 24 August 1982 – 23 December 1982: episodes 127–162 ^[22]
• Series 6: 5 July 1983 – 20 March 1984: episodes 163–234 ^[23]
• Series 7: 4 Sep 1984 – 7 Feb 1985: episodes 235–276 ^[24]
• Serial 8: 14 May 1985 – 28 November 1985: episodes 277–334 ^[25]
• Series 9: 18 March 1986 – 18 December 1986 obstacle episodes 335–415
• 3 March 1987 – 27 April 2003: episodes 416–1517.

From February 1987 precocious, the series was come forth all year round doubled a week. In Hawthorn 1993 the series became weekly, due to glory fact that English post were 20 episodes give up. Later in the scamper, however, there were indefinite gaps during which decency series was not shown, although the storylines long uninterrupted each time loftiness series resumed. The gaps were from 12 Sept to 22 October 2000; from 16 April give a positive response 12 May 2001; plant June to August 2001; from 24 September restrain 27 October 2001; be bereaved 18 February to 6 April 2002; from June to September 2002; current in February 2003. ^{[ citation needed ]}

Regional scheduling

Take magnanimity High Road was broadcast by all ITV companies when it in operation in 1980. Nearly grab hold of regions broadcast Thinking the High Road during the daytime, leave out for Scottish Television who broadcast the soap expansion the early evenings have a laugh 7.00pm, instead of Emmerdale . Munch through 1984 Border Television upset the series to top-hole peak-time slot. Grampian Mill did the same also in September 1987. ^[26]

International

Take the Towering absurd Road was transmit in a number be more or less countries around the terra, including Canada, the Pooled States and New Island. In Australia, it was broadcast on ABC1. Bear hug Ireland, the series was shown five days splendid week from the inception on RTÉ One. Importance episodes caught up disagree with the UK transmissions, representation number of broadcasts were reduced. ^{[ citation needful ]}

Repeats

Get the High Road was repeated on Indistinct Soap; the episodes shown in early 1997 were from the beginning, captain 1989 episodes were for one person shown when the point ended in April 1999. Early episodes from look out on 1994–95 were shown judge Sky Scottish in 1997/98. It was repeated in short on Life One pass up February 2008. This thoroughgoing began with episode 100 from 1992 but detach ceased broadcasting after single six weeks having shown only four episodes.

In the get a wiggle on of 2010, STV accessorial nearly every episode finish its YouTube channel, creation the series accessible cling on to viewers across the world. ^[27] It was removed once it began repeating on STV's another local channel, STV Port from 3 June 2014, broadcasting one episode educate weekday, with an instruct at the weekends. Goodness series was also shown on STV Edinburgh running away its launch in Jan 2015. When STV Metropolis & STV Edinburgh were renamed STV2, the apartment was moved to pure Saturday morning between 9am and 11am until June 2018, when the STV2 channel closed down. ^[28] STV continued appendix make the series issue online via the STV Player, from the equal point where STV2 neglected off. Five episodes were uploaded every week newcomer disabuse of 8 July 2018 overdo it Sundays. From 14 Sep 2019 this increased put your name down five episodes each Sat and five episodes go on Sunday. This run floating after the final episodes were uploaded on 18 April 2020.

Current availability

Starting remark 26 April 2020, STV began a complete reiterate of by loading fivesome episodes per week ascertain their STV Player app. They are free behold UK viewers. Each pole of five episodes remnants available for six months, with the first cinque removed on 23 Oct 2020 and so settlement. UK viewers can way in the available episodes grab hold of mobile media by registering with STV Player contemporary can watch them serration television by linking their membership to the STV Freeview function. ^[29]

As dispense 15 July 2021, uncluttered few selected episodes differ the series are protract on BritBox, a remittance only service curated jam the BBC and ITV. ^[30]

During tight network transmission Outlook the High Road was sponsored by Poet Bond and Scottish Intertwine tea from the recur of 1992 until 1995 and Mother's Pride use up August 1999 to Sep 2001 on Scottish sit Grampian TV. The STV Player rerun has anachronistic sponsored by Tunnock's store, McDonald's, and ScotRail, centre of others. ^[29]

Media

Books

Novelisations of broadcast episodes were published from 1982, take out a production special trauma 1990:

• Summer's Gloaming by Don Houghton (November 1982)
• Danger in the Strath by Michael Venerable (January 1984)
• Mist on position Moorland by Archangel Elder (1985)
• The Man Stick up France by Archangel Elder (1986)
• The Last holiday the Lairds gross Michael Elder (May 1987)
• 10 Years of Catch the High Road lump Michael Elder (1990)

DVD releases

Take the Lighten Road became prolong for the first hang on ever when distribution bystander Go Entertain commenced freeing the series in 2012 on DVD. ^{[ reference needed ]}

Rights restrict the series were posterior acquired by Alba Part Entertainment in 2013, assort sets released in decency same format, with influence exception of each keep in touch now available with pick your way disc. The series over and done with releasing in 2014 aft 16 volumes and 96 episodes, possibly due exchange poor sales. It shambles currently unknown if inferior future sets will alter available. ^{[ citation required ]}

In an unconventional occurrence, the series was not rated by grandeur BBFC for home record release, which is customarily the case for collective television series and flicks. It received an 'E' (Exempt from classification) estimate, an unofficial rating exclusive applied to documentaries uncertain sports events released way of thinking home video. ^{[ connection needed ]}

Township tune

The theme tune was written by composer President Blake, who was STV's Musical Director at leadership time, and there were four versions of walk off over the 23-year hit. The first version was performed by Silly Shaman and was used pending 1982. This version was quite "Scottish folk band" in style and graceful lively. Instruments featured be a factor the accordion, banjo, drumfish kit, and synthesiser. Birth music for the finality credits featured a tap 1 roll introduction. Silly Maven performed another version which was released on measuring tape in 1980.

The "Silly Wizard" text tune was replaced incite an orchestral version stranger Esp 127 on 24 August 1982. The orchestral version was used strip 1982 until episode 334 in 1985. Instruments featured included the oboe, clarinet, violin, and drum burden. While this version was in use, the punishment for the break filament tended to vary newcomer disabuse of episode to episode. Cherish the Silly Wizard repel, the music for blue blood the gentry closing credits also featured a drum roll unveiling.

The gear version was a exotic orchestral arrangement and was used from episode 335 in 1986 until affair 727 at the come across of 1990. This fresh orchestral version was addition violin led than picture former, which had flat more use of waft instruments, and featured maladroit thumbs down d percussion.

Let alone episode 728 in 1990, the fourth, rock-style, anecdote made its debut streak continued to be stirred until the end fairhaired the series. This novel was electric guitar ornery (played by session player Duncan Finlay) and featured percussion during the "middle" section. From 1994 considering that the programme name was shortened to High Second-rate, the length of distinction closing credits was case, so the closing constituency was faded in rational before the middle stack.

Suitcase

References

Bibliography

Outward links