Monarch of the Glen, The

This autumn, join American millionaire Chester Royde, his new bride, Carrie, and his sister, Myrtle, as they travel to the Highlands to explore Carrie's Scottish ancestry – with a little help from Carrie's prized copy of Gaelic Without Tears . . . Read more …

While the Roydes are very much creatures of the 20th century, their hosts still cling to the old ways: Donald MacDonald of Ben Nevis, the 23rd clan chieftain and Laird of Glenbogle Castle, is fiercely protective of his way of life, the land that he loves and the Macdonald spirit. Being more than a little cash-strapped, however, Ben Nevis (as he is also known) is not above trying to forge a match between heiress Myrtle and one of his brawny sons.

But when a group of English hikers turn up and trample all over his grouse moor, and a trespassing nationalist poet seems set to capture Myrtle's affections, Ben Nevis' plans come under attack on two fronts – and he's never one to underreact when things don't go his way . . .

A hilarious romp from the master of Scottish farce, this classic 1930s comedy has been brilliantly adapted for stage by leading Scottish playwright Peter Arnott, whose work includes acclaimed stage adaptations of other Scots novels, including The Silver Darlings and The Cone Gatherers.

The critical consensus

A hoot.

(*) Joy Watters, Across the Arts, 04/11/2017

[Has] a playful sense of its own ridiculousness.

(*) Neil Cooper, Coffee-Table Notes, 30/10/2017

[The cast] look as if they’re having the time of their lives, dancing and stalking their way through this brilliant satire on Scotland’s complicated relationship with its own cliches; but not without making sure that the audience, too, are having the best of times, reflected in roars of laughter, and a well-deserved final ovation.

(*) Joyce McMillan, The Scotsman, 31/10/2017

This delightful production enjoys a genuinely stellar cast.

Mark Brown, Scottish Stage, 06/11/2017

This enjoyable show lies squarely in the tradition of the best Scottish popular entertainment: it is an irresistible romp that also nails its satirical targets.

(*) Allan Radcliffe, 04/11/2017