The BEST episodes of Monarch of the Glen
Every episode of Monarch of the Glen ever, ranked from best to worst by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The best episodes of Monarch of the Glen!
Inspired by the highland novels of Compton Mackenzie, this show follows Archie MacDonald as he finds himself thrown into the role of the new Laird of Glenbogle, his family's financially failing Scottish estate. With the help, and sometimes hinderance, of his family and faithful retainers he works to get the noble estate back on its feet.
#1 - Episode Five
Season 1 - Episode 5 - Aired 3/26/2000
Archie's wayward sister Lizzie turns up with her New Age boyfriend Gerald and it seems the pair have big plans to turn Glenbogle into a kind of hippy retreat. Archie and Gerald end up at loggerheads, however, when some of their New Age ideals seem to involve Hector rediscovering his lost youth and taking an ill advised swim in the lake.
#2 - Episode Six
Season 1 - Episode 6 - Aired 4/2/2000
As the Laird of Glenbogle Archie takes part in a traditional boat race across the loch. He is up against Laird Kilwillie, a neighbouring land-owner. Archie finds himself having to race to win back a MacDonald heirloom ring which has ended up in Kilwillie's possession.
#3 - Episode Eight
Season 1 - Episode 8 - Aired 4/16/2000
Inevitably, Justine gives Archie an ultimatum… come back to London, to the restaurant and her or give up both. Archie offers to sell out of the restaurant to help save Glenbogle, but is that what he really wants. Justine arrives at Glenbogle and Archie must decide where his loyalties and his heart lie, London or Glenbogle. Either way, Justine is determined not to lose her man.
#4 - Episode One
Season 2 - Episode 1 - Aired 1/7/2001
Six months of Justine at Glenbogle has been too much for the other residents, Lexie is threatening to quit her job, Hector and Molly have already moved out and Katrina just won't come near the place. To add to the stress, the bank keeps sending representatives to keep an eye on things. Eventually, Archie and Justine have a big, public break up.
#5 - Episode Four
Season 1 - Episode 4 - Aired 3/19/2000
A visiting genealogist friend of Hectors discovers a diary which records Katrina's mother, a former servant in the house, as having an affair with someone called ‘H'. Molly is understandably upset by the implications until it is discovered that Katrina's father, the mysterious ‘H' is the genealogist himself.
#6 - Episode Seven
Season 1 - Episode 7 - Aired 4/9/2000
Archie tries to juggle his life in London with his new role as Laird of Glenbogle. He and Lexie make a hectic journey down to London for a special Highland night in his restaurant and he dashes back north just in time to see Katrina beat Kilwillie in the local elections. Understandably Justine's patience is wearing very thin.
#7 - Episode 1
Season 6 - Episode 1 - Aired 9/19/2004
It's a new era for Glenbogle as Paul sets about makin his mark by attempting to modernise the estate. However, while his intentions are honourable, his dismissive attitude towards the estate's long-held traditions causes him to clash with Golly. Their relationship is further soured when Paul spoils the ancient ceremony of blessing the loch by forgetting the words. When Lexie makes an unexpected return from New Zealand, Paul suspects that all is not well with her new life. Edinburgh career girl Isobel Anderson arrives in the village to look after her late grandmother's croft and instantly clashes with the new laird. Isobel takes issue with Paul's decision to sign over the farm's tenancy to farmer Reavey whom, she believes, is wrecking her gran's land. Meanwhile, Molly is horrified to discover that someone has been stealing wild orchids from the estate and, along with Jess, decides to set a trap for the floral thief. As they lie in wait, Duncan arrives to ask Jess if she'll go to New Zealand with him, but he fails to find the right words. Up in the mountains, a freak storm forces Paul and Lexie to take shelter in an abandoned bothy where they are drawn closer together.
#8 - Episode 9
Season 4 - Episode 9 - Aired 10/27/2002
A stranger, Paul, turns up looking for Golly, believing Golly is his father. He is not Golly's son but is someone from Glenbogle's son. Archie and Duncan hunt for Big Eric because he is badly injured. Lexie is in charge of arranging the Ghillies's Ball, but things start to get on top of her, like people trying to help. Archie, reluctantly, lets Paul spend the night, and watches the ball from the side.
#9 - Episode Ten
Season 5 - Episode 10 - Aired 11/30/2003
An intruder in Glenbogle house turns out to be Lexie's estranged father, Alex, whom she hasn't seen in twenty years. He spins a lot of tall tales about his life working for royalty of various nations, and says he is in Glenbogle as he is on the run from the Russian Mafia. Lexie refuses to believe any of his stories and tells him to leave. He decides to stay, and gets a job as a chauffeur with Dorothy, who fancies him. Golly is still firmly against Duncan and Jess being a couple. Jess thinks he is being unreasonable and moves into the big house, but soon regrets it when Duncan tries too hard and she is unable to get any space. She goes to take a bath and when he proceeds to talk to her through the door, climbs out the window and down the drainpipe, and pitches a tent at the Outdoor Centre in search of solitude. Duncan finds her there and is hurt by her apparent rejection. Molly decides she wants to take up riding again and decides to buy a horse, so Golly accompanies her to a nearby f
#10 - Episode Nine
Season 5 - Episode 9 - Aired 11/23/2003
Lexie throws herself into organising a clan gathering at Glenbogle, pulling out all the stops for her Highland visitors. Such is her enthusiasm, she hires a documentary crew to cover the event so that the visiting clan members can take away a commemorative video of their special day. However, filmakers Mike Baxter and Brian Tapley seem more interested in squabbling with each other than filming the gathering at Glenbogle. the arrival of staunch traditionalist Charles MacDonald only succeeds in further exacerbating Lexie's hard work and effort. Charles criticises Lexie's preparations at every turn, and is offended by the presence of a bottle of Lagganmore whisky at the celebrations - the distillery is owned by the clan MacLeish who have been feuding with the MacDonalds for almost 400 years. To make matters worse, Paul has been fulfilling his duties on the board of the Lagganmore distillery - though it's more as a way of spending time with Amanda than though a sense of duty. When Amanda asks Paul if she can hold a scattering ceremony for her father's ashes on Glenbogle land he agrees in a bid to keep her happy. However, in light of the MacDonald and MacLeish family feud, Lexie has serious reservations about being party to this secret ceremony. Molly, too, has a secret. She's forgotten to send for the family quaich which is still in London being repaired. Knowing that it is central to the clan ceremony, Molly feels terrible about letting Lexie down - but just as she thinks all is lost, Golly comes to her rescue. Meanwhile, Duncan and Jess skirt round the subject of their friendly kiss, with neither of them wanting to admit their true feelings for one another.
#11 - Episode Eight
Season 5 - Episode 8 - Aired 11/16/2003
A furious Lexie discovers that Dorothy has taken over the island in the middle of the Loch for her latest business venture, a t'ai chi retreat. The island is a lucrative source of income for Glenbogle as it has the best fishing on the estate, and Lexie is convinced that Dorothy waited for Archie to leave before trying such a stunt. Together, Lexie and Golly concoct a plan to sabotage Dorothy's retreat and win back the island from under her nose. They successfully scare away Dorothy's visitors but, when the women cast off on the boats, Lexie and Golly find themselves marooned on the island with a disgruntled Dorothy. Meanwhile, Molly is trying hard to put her break-up with Andrew behind her. When a chance encounter with him at the local pub upsets her again, Molly decides to seek refuge at Dorothy's retreat to escape her fussing family. However, she's dismayed to find she's not alone on the island. In a desperate bid for freedom, Dorothy dashes for Molly's boat but, in her haste, only succeeds in scuttling the vessel. With night drawing in and their chances of being rescued diminishing by the hour, the castaways decide to put their heads together to find a way to escape off the island. Back at the house, Paul is having a crisis of his own. He's been roped into doing the housework but is finding his domestic touch somewhat clumsy. He strikes a deal with Jess to help him but becomes uncomfortable after he suspects Jess holds secret feelings for him.
#12 - Episode Seven
Season 5 - Episode 7 - Aired 11/9/2003
In Archie's absence, Lexie is determined to run the estate the way her husband would have wished, as the Highland drama continues. But a power struggle develops as Lexie takes on more of the estate's responsibilities, leaving Paul feeling increasingly side-lined. To make matters worse, Lexie is also called upon to take Archie's seat on the board of the local distillery "The Lagganmore Distillery" is in crisis; the young heiress Amanda MacLeish, wants to make savings, much to the chagrin of the head distiller, Gregor. Since she will have the casting vote, Lexie asks for more time to mull over the business dilemma. Meanwhile, the romance between Molly and Andrew blossoms and they start making plans to partition off part of Glenbogle House, so that they can live together as a married couple. But Lexie is increasingly uncomfortable with Andrew's cavalier approach to her home - though her discomfort is nothing comparted with Golly's upset at the new man in Molly's life. Paul is angry that Lexie didn't consult him about the distillery business. Behind her back, he meets Amanda, who convinces him that her plans are right, and he signs the casting vote in favour of her scheme. When Lexie finds out, she is furious - and Paul's plan backfires when the distillery workers go on strike.
#13 - Episode Six
Season 5 - Episode 6 - Aired 11/2/2003
Life at Glenbogle takes a dramatic turn as Archie finds himself faced with a life-changing decision and Molly embraces the idea of finding love again. Despite their best efforts, it's clear that Paul and Archie's partnership can't work. When Jess informs the brothers that she can't take Duncan's job they offer it to Duncan agian, but he refuses - as far as he is concerned, it's her job by rights. In an attempt to reslove the crisis of finding Glenbogle a Head Ranger, Paul and Archie decide to give their partnership one last go. Molly is angry that Andrew has shunned her since returning from their weekend away, but he explains that he has used their time apart to come to a decision about their relationship and aks for Molly's hand in marriage. Before she can give Andrew her answer, Molly is distracted by the arrival of her daughter, Lizzie, who returns with her young daughter, Martha, in tow. Over dinner with Jess and Duncan, Golly makes the decision to act on his hidden emotions for Molly or face a lonely life on his own. A mutual misunderstanding causes Paul and Archie to exacerbate the Head Ranger crisis and it becomes clear that there can be only one laird of Glenbogle. During a heart-to-heart with Archie, Lizzie explains how she received a letter from their father, Hector, before he died in which he talked about climbing a mountain in Nepal. Much to Archie's surprise, she suggests that they climb the mountain together. Torn between his love for Glenbogle and his desire to seek new challenges in life, Archie is faced with a difficult decision - one which will have a profound effect on the family.
#14 - Episode Five
Season 5 - Episode 5 - Aired 10/26/2003
An opportunistic Dorothy sets her sights on building an Eco-Dome in Glenbogle, but not everyone believes her business venture is honourable. The money-spinning tourist attraction, based on the Eden Project, requires an access road and the only viable route is through Paul's newly established Outdoor Activity Centre. Dorothy's smooth talking convinces Archie that the Eco-Dome will bring new jobs to the local area, but Lexie remains suspicious of her motives. With the Outdoor Activity Centre steadily building a strong reputation, Paul recruits local lad Ewan to help him with the day-to-day business. However, he is furious to find out that Archie has agreed to run the Eco-Dome's access road through his centre without even consulting him for his approval. In an attempt to turn the tables on Paul, Archie questions why he wasn't consulted before employing Ewan at the Outdoor Activity Centre. It seems the brothers can't find a way to work together. Out on the hills, Jess laments her unemployed status and makes the decision that she wants to work alongside her father, Golly, on Glenbogle Estate and when Duncan announces that he's going to work for Dorothy as the Eco-Dome's site manager, Jess sets her sights on the vacant position. But she soon discovers that Golly has other plans to fill the post. Encouraged by Hermione's ambitious plans for his future, Duncan embraces his new Eco-Dome role with great enthusiasm. However, his management skills fall a long way short as he finds it difficult to motivate his new workers and soon finds himself the victim of a cruel initiation prank.
#15 - Episode Four
Season 5 - Episode 4 - Aired 10/19/2003
The brothers MacDonald attempt to put their differences aside and Archie decides to share more responsibilites with Paul. Archie is coaching the Glenbogle five-a-side team for their big match against Glencampbell. When Paul offers to take over Archie's coaching duties to allow him to get on with important "Estate" business, the Laird reluctantly agrees to let his brother take his place. Lexie takes young, talented footballer Angus under her wing. She soon discovers the youngster has some attitude problems and is being dogged by a mysterious old man, Hamish McKinnon. Lexie asks Paul to take it easy on Angus, but Paul doesn't think mollycoddling him is the answer to his problems. Meanwhile, mild-mannered Golly is thrown by the return of his estranged daughter, Jessica, who wants to make her home alongside her father in Glenbogle. Golly is also shocked by the news that Jess has been dating her University lecture, Dr Sean Cook, who is twice her age. Archie only dissuades Golly from traveling to Glasgow to confront Cook by volunteering to go to the city to talk to the lecturer himself, face to face. Archie's travelling companion is Duncan, who is on a secret mission to carve out a career for himself at a top Glasgow hotel. Molly, meanwhile, attempts to avoid Andrew's invitation to go away on a romantic weekend, fearing that she's not quite ready for a new romance.
#16 - Episode Three
Season 5 - Episode 3 - Aired 10/12/2003
Lexie and a Glenbogle resident have made it possible to have a minibus in the village. Paul wants the Glenbogle Outdoor Activity Centre to be aimed at under privalaged teenagers. This is not accepted well within the community.
#17 - Episode Two
Season 5 - Episode 2 - Aired 10/5/2003
Duncan is left in charge of his Auntie Liz's B&B. Archie and Lexie move in there because of the construction work happening at The Big House. Andrew helps Molly re-learn to drive. Golly helps duncan impress two food writers, who are not what they at first seem.
#18 - Episode One
Season 5 - Episode 1 - Aired 9/28/2003
With the estate on an even keel financially Archie is bored and looking for new challenges. When Kilwille mentions he is opening a restaurant in New York Archie jumps at the hance to manage it. His dream fails to impress Lexie who wants to stay at Glenbogle. Kilwillie's sister Dorothy comes to stay and puts everyone's back up with her superior airs. Her plan to evict the postmistress and rent out her cottage as a holiday home is foiled by Lexie's determination. Kilwillie leaves and Dorothy stays on. Duncan gets a boost to his self-esteem when he learns he is descended from a war hero. Unfortunately the inheritance include an unexploded WWII bomb. Some how he and Archie find themselves locked in the cellar with it when it starts ticking...
#19 - Episode 10
Season 4 - Episode 10 - Aired 11/3/2002
Molly now knows the truth about Paul and decides to leave with Andrew Booth. Archie does not want Paul around anymore and Lexie must try to smooth things out. Molly asks Golly why he never told her the truth about Hector and Paul's mother and Archie is feeling guilt over his older brothers, (Jamie) death. His feelings of guilt go away a little bit as he saves Paul from drowning in the current. Molly looks within herself and decides to stay and Archie and Lexie finally get their honeymoon, thanks to Kilwillie!
#20 - Episode 6
Season 7 - Episode 6 - Aired 10/23/2005
After seven successful series, 64 episodes and hundreds of feelgood TV moments, it’s time to say farewell to the much-loved Highland drama.To mark the occasion, some familiar faces return for this final episode, including a ghostly reappearance from a Monarch favourite. Life at Glenbogle appears to be over for the MacDonald family – the bank has withdrawn its loan and Paul is forced to put the house up for sale.When hostile buyer Peter Finlay makes an offer, Paul has no alternative but to tell the family to start looking for new homes. Paul is also heartbroken about Iona’s impending marriage to Malcolm. But, determined to put on a front, he offers the couple the house for their wedding reception. However, he is put in an awkward position when Malcolm asks him to give the bride away. Meanwhile, lonely and confused about her future, Molly seeks guidance from Hector’s spirit. Molly confesses she has feelings for Golly, but Kilwillie, in many ways the perfect suitor, has also declared his love for her. Elsewhere, Donald stages a rooftop protest over Glenbogle’s buyout but is berated by Paul. Determined not to be a burden any more, Donald takes drastic action and books into a retirement home. But Ewan and Amy hatch an elaborate plan to free the eccentric senior. In a last-ditch attempt to save Glenbogle, Paul urges local crofters to consider a community buy-out but, just as his rescue plan begins to look promising, Finlay scuppers things. It turns out that he has a grudge against the MacDonald family – this is revenge, not business. Emotions are running high – it’s the day of Iona’s wedding and of a special memorial service for Hector. Jess misses Duncan, Molly has man troubles and Paul is faced with watching the woman he loves marry another man. Everyone yearns for a happy ever after...
#21 - Episode 2
Season 6 - Episode 2 - Aired 9/26/2004
After a 40-year absence, Donald MacDonald returns to Glenbogle, but his homecoming receives a mixed reaction. The black sheep of the MacDonald family, former racing driver Donald has been forced home by the police who, tried of his persistent law breaking, have placed him under the supervision of his estranged family. In a bid to forget her marital problems, Lexie enthusiastically throws herself into organising Molly's 60th birthday party, but Molly isn't so keen to celebrate and asks Lexie to call it off. Eager to stay occupied, Lexie turns her attentions to estate affairs and voices her concerns about Paul and Golly's plan to send one of the wolves to a reserve in France. Paul also alienates Isobel by cancelling her contract to supply the house with fresh bread and vegetables. Without the business, Isobel faces financial ruin. Later, Jess tells Isobel her concerns that she and Duncan are turning into a boring couple who want to spend more time apart. Duncan goes into the village to catch up with some old friends but discovers they've all moved and found success away from Glenbogle. Meanwhile, Donald refuses to give up, despite numerous thwarted attempts to escape, and comes up with the perfect escape route - Molly's party. He persuades Lexie to go ahead with the birthday bash knowing it'll be the perfect cover for him to slip away unnoticed.
#22 - Episode 3
Season 6 - Episode 3 - Aired 10/3/2004
It's the morning after the night before and an awkward atmosphere lingers between Paul and Lexie following their secret kiss. Paul tries to talk to Lexie but she is determined to act as though nothing has happened. Ewan may be content with his new-found independence at Glenbogle House but his mother, Ros, is less willing to let her son flee the nest. As a bribe to return home, she buys him a car but it doesn't live up to his expectations. After a heart-to-heart with Ros, Lexie reconsiders her decision to leave Glenbogle, however, her discussions with Paul are interrupted by Isobel. Back at the house, Donald and Molly finally reveal their hidden history to their shocked family. For over 40 years, they kept their past masked - a secret which threatened to rock the foundations of Glenbogle if it had ever been revealed. Their secret may be a painful reminder of the past but it fires a warning shot to Paul and Lexie.
#23 - Episode 4
Season 6 - Episode 4 - Aired 10/10/2004
A day's fishing takes a dramatic turn for Donald and Ewan when, rather than landing a prize catch, Donald hooks a flying mask from the murky depths of the loch. The MoD arrives in force to retrieve the plane, led by Paul's old Army officer, Alex. Pleased to see his former friend, Paul offers to help in any way he can. However, Isobel is less welcoming, fearing the investigation will uncover the secret identity of the fighter pilot whom she knows is her godfather, Glenbogle's local butcher, Irvine Taylor. Isobel vows to protect his former wartime identity and, distrusting Paul's loyalties, urges Golly, Molly and Donald to help her keep the truth hidden. When she is left breathless following an afternoon cycle ride, Molly's health is cause for concern and, after she collapses, Golly urges her to see the doctor. Alex's investigations - and the attempts of eager reporter Janey to uncover the truth - are thwarted by Golly, Molly and Isobel. However, after Donald inadvertently gives the game away, Paul is left feeling excluded by his friends and family, and is stung by their conspiracy of silence.
#24 - Episode 5
Season 6 - Episode 5 - Aired 10/17/2004
Having quit his job at the Ministry of Defence, Alex Faversham, settles into a quieter pace of life at Glenbogle. However, Alex's disciplined Army background soon rears its head after he voices his concerns that Paul's lairdship isn't as efficient as it could be - the staff at Glenbogle are too informal towards their laird and respect is required. He decides to take on the role of estate factor, allowing Paul to concentrate on the bigger picture. Insecure about his leadership skills, Paul reluctantly agrees to Alex's new regime but he's not alone in his doubts - Ewan and Jess are resentful of the changes. As Isobel puts her organic produce to the test at the local market, Golly has a chance encounter with Meg, Glenbogle's new dance teacher. Jess notices an instant attraction between the pair but Golly dismisses the chance of future romance. An old racing friend of Donald's, Jackie MacIntyre, turns up to Glenbogle for a stag party to celebrate his forthcoming wedding. Excited about the prospect of a wild get-together with old pals, Donald is disheartened when Jackie reveals they've all passed away.
#25 - Episode 6
Season 6 - Episode 6 - Aired 10/24/2004
Isobel is behind on her rent and, though her farm is under threat, she stubbornly refuses Paul's offer of help. But Isobel forgets her woes when an unkempt, bearded stranger turns up at her door. She takes pity on him and asks Paul to take the stranger to Glenbogle. However, their efforts to find out who he is draw a blank - he can't even remember his own name. Paul suspects the man is a freeloader but Molly takes him under her wing, christening him Liam. Elsewhere, Golly has woman troubles. He's finding it difficult to tell Molly about his relationship with Meg, and Jess is unhappy with her father's interference in her work. Meanwhile, Isobel's day is brightened when her old boss from Edinburgh, Kelly, makes a surprise visit and tempts her with a business deal.