Alexander ‘Sandy’ Morton – best known for playing Golly Mackenzie in the TV series Monarch of the Glen – has died aged 81.
The Scottish actor played the ghillie of the fictional Highland estate Glenbogle in all 64 episodes of the BBC Scotland series between 2000 and 2005.
After training in London at the Central School of Speech and Drama from 1965 to 1968, Morton went on to appear in films and shows including Taggart, Casualty, Valhalla Rising, Luther, River City and Shetland.
He is also the stepfather of actor Leo Woodall – with Morton being married to the One Day and The White Lotus’ star’s mother Jane.
He also founded the Raindog Theatre Company with fellow actors Robert Carlyle and Caroline Paterson.
Paying tribute to Morton on social media, Carlyle shared that he was ‘so sad’ to hear of his passing.
‘Not only a brilliant actor, but one of the kindest men I ever knew. Working with him through the years with Raindog Theatre Company was an education,’ he wrote.
‘His unique, naturalistic style was a thing of beauty. So real that you would forget he was even acting at all. I’ve never seen anyone do it better than Sandy.
‘He taught me so much. I owe him so much, and he will forever be in my heart. RIP Alexander Morton.’
Also paying tribute was fellow actor Gavin Mitchell, who posted: ‘Such devastating news to hear of the passing of Sandy Morton today from his son Jamie.
‘He taught and gave me so much. Warm, wise, encouraging, generous and gentle. An exceptional talent. I was lucky enough to work with him on various things over the years, from the inception of Raindog Theatre Company and One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest, panto, radio, Monarch of the Glen, of course, and much more.
‘His door was always open and always tales to share. He loved music, history, politics, radio, and remained eternally curious. I loved him dearly and I owe him a lot. I’ll miss our chats and I’ll miss catching him off guard and making him chortle. We’ve lost one of the best. All my love. Travel well Sandy.’
Meanwhile River City’s Tom Urie said: ‘Sad to hear about the passing of Sandy Morton. Our paths crossed briefly on River City and he was an absolute gentlemen.’
After beginning his career in the 1970s, Morton also had notable roles in Second Sight, Between the Lines, Minder, and Take the High Road.
On stage he also appeared in productions of Macbeth, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest and Dick Whittington.
He also played the Prince of Darkness in the 2006 BBC Radio adaptation of Dracula and was also the first actor to play Detective Inspector John Rebus in the BBC Radio 4 adaptation of Ian Rankin’s Rebus series of books.
He also provided voices for video games, including Heavenly Sword, Viking: Battle for Asgard and he played Zoltan Chivay in The Witcher.
Morton was married three times and had two children from each of his first two marriages.
He met his wife Jane when she was his landlady while he was doing television work in London.
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