Alexander Morton, famous for his role as Golly Mackenzie in the BBC series Monarch of the Glen, has passed away at 81 years old.
Born in Glasgow in 1945, Morton studied at the Central School of Speech and Drama in London before building a successful career in film, television, and theatre.
Throughout his career, he appeared in a variety of popular films and TV shows, including “Get Carter,” “Valhalla Rising,” “Minder,” “Taggart,” “Rab C Nesbitt,” “Casualty,” “Luther,” and “Shetland.” He was best known for his role as Billy Kennedy in “River City,” which he played from 2012 to 2015 and again in 2022.
He was most famous for playing the ghillie on the popular TV show Monarch of the Glen, appearing in every single one of its 64 episodes, working on the Glenbogle estate.
In addition to his acting career, he co-founded the Raindog Theatre Company with Robert Carlyle and Caroline Paterson. He was also the stepfather of actor Leo Woodall, known for his role as Vladimir.
Sandy had this incredible, natural way of performing – it was just beautiful to watch. He was so convincing, you’d completely forget you were watching an act. Honestly, I’ve never seen anyone do it better. He was a huge influence on me, and I learned so much from him. I’ll always be grateful for everything he taught me, and he’ll always hold a special place in my heart. Rest in peace, Alexander Morton.
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Tom Urie, who worked with Sandy Morton on River City, shared on Facebook that he was saddened to hear of Morton’s passing, describing him as a true gentleman.
He was an incredible mentor who taught me so much. He was warm, wise, encouraging, generous, and gentle – a truly exceptional talent. I feel lucky to have collaborated with him on many projects over the years, including the founding of Raindog Theatre Company and productions like One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest, pantomimes, radio shows, and, of course, Monarch of the Glen, among other things.
He shared, “I loved Sandy very much and I’m incredibly grateful for everything he did for me. I’ll especially miss our conversations and being able to make him laugh. He was truly one of the best, and I send all my love. Safe travels, Sandy.”
Authors
James Hibbs writes about TV dramas for TopMob, covering shows on streaming services and traditional channels. Before becoming a writer, he worked in public relations, first at a business-to-business agency and then at the TV production company Fremantle. He has a bachelor’s degree in English and Theatre Studies and a Level 5 Diploma in Journalism.
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2026-04-16 14:40