Tributes have been paid by Scotland's film and TV stars to actor Alexander Morton, who has died at the age of 81.
Alexander 'Sandy' Morton was a Scottish film, stage and television actor, trained at London’s Central School of Speech and Drama in the 1960s, and best known for character roles in Scottish drama.
Morton, born in Glasgow in 1945, was best known for starring in the BBC series Monarch of the Glen as loyal ghillie Golly Mackenzie, a role he played in all 64 episodes between 2000 and 2005.
He built a long, varied career across television, film, theatre and radio, becoming a familiar face in series such as Take the High Road, Taggart, Second Sight, Between the Lines, Minder and Casualty. He also appeared in productions including the BBC’s 1998 mini‑series Looking After Jo‑Jo, where he acted alongside Robert Carlyle.
Morton's former co-star, Robert Carlyle, paid tribute, saying, "So sad to hear of the passing of the great Sandy Morton. Not only a brilliant actor, but one of the kindest men I ever knew.
"Working with him through the years with Rain Dog Theatre Company was an education. 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."
Still Game star Gavin Mitchell paid tribute to the actor and shared a story about an encounter with him that gave him an "intense education."
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Mitchell, best known for playing Boabby the Barman, said: "Such devastating news to hear of the passing of Sandy Morton today from his son Jamie. He was a titan of a man and an actor.
"Only yesterday I commented on Ian Rankin’s post , saying how brilliant Sandy is , and today….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."
Mitchell continued with a tale: "He once took me aside when I made a joke about Elvis and quietly said, “Do you know much about Elvis ?” ‘No’ I replied.
“'What are you doing tonight?”
"‘Nothin’ ?’ I shrugged.
“Right . Come wi me.”
"He whisked me off in a cab , stopping for rolls and some bacon on the way, and I went back to Sandy’s. Where I received the most gob-smacking in-depth crash course on the life and history of the King of Rock n Roll.
"Wow, it was an intense education, but I never spoke ill of the King again! Years later, when I played him, it was Sandy I turned to, and I got his blessing.
"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."
