ACTOR Ted Danson gazed at Loch Ness yesterday and said: ''I knew it

would be beautiful, but in the summer sunshine it's just amazing. There

is nowhere quite like it anywhere else in the world.

''My great-grandfather was a MacMaster who emigrated from the

Highlands to the States. I may try to trace my roots while I am here.''

The star of TV series Cheers later visited Inverness and was mobbed by

fans. He is in Scotland for the shooting of a new movie, Loch Ness.

Filming is due to start on location on September 12.

He said: ''It is a magical, romantic story and what better place could

you get to film it than here.''

He added: ''It is a wonderful script and as soon as I saw it I had to

take the part.''

The six-foot-plus star has taken up residence in a secret Highland

hideaway and has flown over members of his family to join him for the

two-month shoot.

He is currently rehearsing with Joely Richardson, the daughter of

Vanessa Redgrave and star of the controversial BBC TV series Lady

Chatterley's Lover.

The movie is being made by London-based production company Working

Title, which is enjoying a world-wide hit with Hugh Grant's Four

Weddings And A Funeral.

In Inverness yesterday, Mr Danson, 46, coped admirably and spoke

freely with locals as he handed out signed photographs.

Ms Julia Johnson, an American tourist, said: ''He was absolutely

charming. He is definitely more handsome in the flesh than he is on the

screen.''