This series started out intriguing, with excellent story lines for endearing characters and captivating scenery. Then rather rudely, the series lets the viewer down with far too many KEY CHARACTER cast changes. Lost interest when I found out the "Main Man" of Lexie -- THE LAIRD himself, was not coming back. Didn't bother watching after that.

BBC allowed a gem of a runner onto the paddock when it greenlighted Monarch of the Glen.Very well directed and shot, showcasing some beautiful Scots highland homes and exterior locations, and assembling lively journeymen actors into an ensemble that has a jolly go at jock-ing around the lochs and polished stair landings of the shire of "Glenbogle," I describe the series in elevators as 'Newhart meets Braveheart.' Of special enjoyment is the patriarchal character Hector played by Richard Briers. Briers has done just about everything in British theater, television, and cinema there is to do, but in America he is probably known only for his role as the pathetic Bardolph in Ken Branagh's Henry V. Now in MotG, the tables turn and Brier gets the fun of playing a lord. And a curmudgeonly, salty, and daft lord he is.This is a light family comedic drama with cool domestic characters which doesn't fall into tired tropes. Quiet possibly the perfect show to watch on Sunday evenings.

I missed it when it was first showed although had dipped in to bits of episodes and previously thought it was promising however, now I have watched all the first episode and half of the second, I have given up with it.Good production, talented actors and a basically interesting plot is spoiled by unbelievable script that makes the characters seem ridiculous.I am not surprised it could not retain it's cast, and presume they all quickly realised it is utter tosh.If you watch it, please do not believe it has much basis in reality.It is however filmed in a very attractive part of Scotland and might have been sponsored by the Tourist Industry.

I watched two episodes of this on my Roku Box the other night because I love stories about Scotland. I love the scenery, the accents, the culture, the mythology, you name it. With "Monarch..." the concept intrigued me: A restaurateur heads home to take care of the family estate. And what an estate it is, complete with castle, Land Rovers, pristine mountain lake, snow covered highlands, wildlife, thick forests, dirt roads. The setting itself has kind of a fantasy feel to it, as if it exists outside of modern times.And that's why the show doesn't get any more than 7 stars from me. In the first two episodes it can't seem to decide whether it wants to be reality-based or fantasy-based. Nor is it completely sure it wants to be a comedy or a drama. It's somewhere in between on both counts. The situations in which the characters find themselves are a bit far-fetched, and the resolutions that follow occur without a great deal of foundation. They just sort of happen, as if on cue.That said, the show has a great feel and look to it, and the characters are fun to be with.