Original subtitles

- You all right, jess? - I see the boys got their toys then.

Well, we thought we'd better test them out

Before letting them loose on the general public.

Noisy, stupid and dangerous.

And that's just the people who ride them.

Do all your staff speak to you like that?

We're informal.

Oh, and my blind granny drives better than that.

So i see.

So what're you gonna do now you're no longer the man from the ministry?

I was going stale behind a desk.

I need a change, a new challenge.

What, in glenbogle?

I'm sure i can find something to distract me.

Look, look, there he is— back left.

- Eh? - The one holding the pint glass?

No, that's princess grace of monaco. Next to her, there.

It's a bit out of focus.

He probably had a few, but that's definitely him all right.

Wee jackie mclntyre,

The finest mechanic the gorbals ever produced.

We raised hell, outdrank the devil

And sent him scurrying back to the fiery depths.

- Oh, aye? - Yeah.

And now, wee jackie mclntyre

Is engaged to be married.

Who is this creature?

This siren who has tamed the raging beast?

I thought you said her name was isla.

Eh? Oh, rhetorical, my dear boy, rhetorical. Come on.

I just—

We have a stag in our midst.

You've missed a bit.

Wee jackie mclntyre!

Donald ulysses macdonald!

Ahh, well, it's a nice sweet place you've got here.

But then you always were the fancy dan.

It's a cross i have to bear.

Where's that greasy little monkey that i knew and loved, eh?

Where are the others?

Ah, well...

Thereby hangs a wee tale.

Oh?

You know when i said yes to a second date, i was thinking dinner.

- Too keen? - Just a smidgen.

No chance of breakfast then?

None whatsoever.

Hungry?

Business.

100% organic.

It should go down a storm at the market.

Oh, i can see it now— isobel anderson, burger queen.

Strictly a means to an end.

The tractor needs a new clutch.

Can't you just say pretty please to the bank manager?

Oh no. No.

This place has to pay its way—

A real farm, not a hobby or a weekend indulgence.

Alex, about last night, it was just a date.

I mean it was fun, but it was just a date.

I don't want anything else, not at the moment.

Anyway, it's not as if you're sticking around.

Grant— grant mclntosh.

Dead.

His stairlift gave up the ghost halfway up,

They found him three weeks later.

( whispers ) oh, dear god, no!

Big donny, always had a fag on the go.

He wouldn't quit.

Reckoned you were as likely to get hit by a bus.

That's the one. How is he?

Dead.

Jumped the wee red man on sauchiehall street.

Hit by a bus?

At least he had the satisfaction of being right.

So you're saying we're the only ones left?

That's about the size of it. ( clicks teeth )

Then we owe it to them to do this properly.

No quarter given.

We drink, we carouse.

We take life by the scruff of the neck and shake it

Till it rattles. ( chuckles )

- ( pager beeps ) - Oh!

Sorry, it reminds me to take my pills.

Is it me or is hell-Raising not what it used to be?

- How about... That one? - Too brown.

That's too flappy. I don't like flaps.

- Jess: here you go. - ( woman chuckles )

We seem to have a meeting of minds.

But i think you saw it first.

No no, you— please, i insist.

Well, thank you.

It's usually every man for himself.

- What do you think? - Very nice.

It's got no flaps. You know i hate the ones with flaps everywhere.

Well i'd— i'd better pay for it before you change your mind.

She's right about those flaps.

Didn't your mother warn you about giving lifts to strange men?

- Don't worry, i've got a black belt in screaming. - You might need it.

Worried i might succumb to your friend's dashing charms?

Well, you wouldn't be the first.

Anyway, it's none of my business.

No, it's none of your business.

Talking of which— have you thought about my offer?

Yeah.

Another 12 acres is a lot of work.

And enough for another 10 head of cattle.

- If i'm gonna make it pay, i've got to think bigger. - ( chuckles )

Now, why do i get the impression

You've already made your mind up?

Now then...

What about a real drink?

The medication.

( sighs ) to married life!

- And all who're sailing her. - Cheers!

Of course, you realize you're making a dreadful mistake.

In my experience,

Marriage entails certain sacrifices—

Usually human, often bloody.

How about when you're in love?

Only makes it worse.

I know what you're up to, macdonald.

Look— i'm a changed man.

All i want are a few fizzy pops,

A couple of laughs and a natter about the old days.

You know, i might be able to help you there.

( clears throat ) oh.

Nice of isobel to drive you back.

Seemed churlish to look a gift horse in the mouth.

Which reminds me— jess—

Why do i get the feeling she's walking all over you?

The fact that she has an attitude has nothing to do with the way i run the estate.

It's got everything to do with it.

You want to feel like the laird, you've got to start acting like one.

Jess sees you mucking in every day

And she thinks, "oh well, leave it to paul."

So what, you think she should call me sir?

She should show you the respect you deserve.

- Okay, i'm listening. - Let me take over as factor.

You leave all the day-To-Day running to me.

You're free to concentrate on being the laird.

Yeah, there's just one small problem— we can't afford it.

A more efficient estate means more money in all our pockets.

Yeah, in theory.

All right, look—

I need something.

It-It's just not possible, alex.

- I'm sorry. - ( knocks on door )

- Paul bowman? - Yeah.

Sorry, i am addressing the laird of glenbogle?

Apparently.

Dorcas buchanan.

From the forestry commission.

Nothing to worry about. I know we have a reputation.

But as we say at roslin, i'm just here for the trees.

Ah.

Look at the man—

A shell, a shadow of his former self,

And all because of the influence of that old she-Devil eve.

I believe the current expression is "cat-Thrashed."

You think all this will help?

How are you feeling?

It's hard to describe.

It's the old adrenalin running.

All we have to do now is push him over the edge.

A carefully calibrated blend of petrol, motor oil

And good honest male sweat—

Guaranteed to reignite even the most spluttering of belly fires.

You know...

I think

I could use that drink.

And stamp, step, slide together.

And up for two and down for two.

One, two, three, four,

And back, back, back, back.

And march, ladies, keep your heads up, please.

Excellent. Mark time for four.

A pint and a half, please, love.

And stamp, step, slide together...

I used to think dancing was for losers.

Now i'm convinced.

Maybe you should try it.

Sorry, i don't take lifestyle advice from barmaids.

It's just a wee rule of mine.

What's going on?

In theory, the paso doble, and in practice—

But there's no need for ability to stand in the way

Of a little personal expression.

I'm meg.

- Golly. This is my daughter. - Hi.

- Jess. - The village hall was double-Booked,

But a dancing teacher has to think on her feet.

I can see i've trespassed on holy ground.

But don't worry, we're almost done.

Unless you'd like to try a crash course?

No, i'm not very much of a dancer, me.

( laughs ) oh, come on, dad!

Sword dancing? Get a dram inside this one,

- And he's prancing around with the best of them. - Now that i would pay to see.

No, i insist— one good turn.

- Thank you. - Very nice of you.

Right. Well, that's me. I can't stand around here all day.

What are you doing?

Just letting the dog see the rabbit.

I'm afraid our continuing grants

Rely on you maintaining an appropriate arboreal balance.

Hold on. You're saying we've got the wrong type of trees?

You're currently falling short by... Five hectares.

Which, if it stands,

Means we shall have to reduce your current subsidies by...

£50,000.

Well, i work on the estate.

- I'm head ghillie. - What, shooting poachers, that kind of thing?

- Hmm, three this week already. - You're joking?

- Mm-Hmm. - ( chuckles )

So what do you really do?

Hmm... Well, that's hard to explain.

Well then, you can show me.

I'm sure we never received anything from you.

What if they simply cut down some of the wrong trees?

Are you suggesting selective deforestation?

Yes.

No.

Ah, jess!

Uh, this is miss buchanan from the...

- The forestry commission. - She said we've received a letter,

But i've been telling her, it's the first i've heard.

Don't you remember?

You said you were gonna deal with that about, oh...

Three months ago?

Head like a sieve.

Oh, i feel like piggy in the middle.

I'll leave you to sort this out between you.

And can i just say,

I consider trees important—

Vitally important.

Well, don't look at me.

- £50,000! - I can deal with it.

- As factor? - Why not?

I'm efficient, and i know how to get the best out of people.

And it will give you time to concentrate on the real reason you're here.

Is this what you want?

Paul, i've never asked you for anything,

But... I'm asking you now.

So, as factor,

I'd like you to consider any request from alex as coming from me, okay?

Any questions?

What's the laird going to be doing from now on?

Acting like one.

Oh.

It's beautiful!

I can see why you love it here.

You do love it, don't you?

See this?

There are 20,000 brace of grouse in these hills

And this is the only thing they'll eat—

A new shoot of heather.

You can't feed them with grain, you can't rear them in cages.

They're just here.

All i can do is help them the best i can.

Same with the salmon in the river and the stags up on the hill.

All wild...

Wild and free.

- Like you. - Hmm.

They can come and go as they please.

Leave just as their fancy takes them.

I don't even know your real name.

- It's golly. - I know.

Golly— golly the ghillie?

But it must be short for something.

Just... Golly.

- Aye. - Well?

- Well what? - How was your date?

We took a walk, that's all.

- Dad! - We had a drink.

She wanted to see the estate.

But she's interested.

Oh, of course she's not interested.

Uh-Huh.

Really?

- All of it? - Yep.

When you've done here, you can start on the other rooms.

Other rooms?

Great hall, dining room, laird's bedroom.

It's all here.

- Hi. - Is golly here?

You just missed him actually. Is that—?

He left it at the pub and they thought it was one of my lot.

I'm afraid someone seems to have spilt something on it.

It has a certain sort of atmosphere.

Right right, yeah. I'll make sure he gets it.

- Great, okay, bye. - Okay, bye.

You're getting better and better at this.

You wanted something?

We need to get to town, or at least to the nearest hostelry.

You're starting early.

And won't the police have something to say about that?

Seeing you're not allowed off the estate without paul.

It's a risk i'm willing to take.

Jackie's plight trumps such trivial considerations.

Hold on.

Are you saying the police is involved?

I can't have any trouble.

Jackie has a morbid fear of authority

Since an incident in an algerian jail.

I was just minding the bag for abdul.

But it's isla i'm worried about.

What she doesn't know won't hurt, surely.

It's not that simple.

This was taken at a strathclyde policeman's do.

She's a—?

A chief superintendent.

This is worse than i thought.

Ewan, it's time for all good men to come to the aid of a stag party.

You want the car.

Well, i know it's a lot to ask, but in the circumstances.

I'm driving.

You want my help.

I don't pretend to know the first thing

About running an estate like this.

But i do know what i want—

To get this place back to its roots.

And the way i see it, you are the one person who can help me do that.

What exactly do you have in mind?

So what's the matter? Can't find any friends from your own generation?

- It's a stag party. - It's halfway to a funeral by the looks of them.

Why don't you drop them off at home

And take me away from all of this?

Have you never heard of helping the aged?

( clears throat ) when does this place fill up?

Evenings usually. It's cold working for a living.

Yeah, but we need atmosphere.

Dancing—

Any of you boys know how to paso doble?

Alex got you hard at it?

I've got a list.

Number one to create crash barriers.

This is deliberate.

He knows how i feel about this racetrack.

Still, can't fault his organization.

They said that about hitler— probably.

Well, the track's part of the activities center— just a bit of fun.

What— coughing, smoke and fumes everywhere?

Did you sort out the tree woman?

Yeah, alex is working on it.

Hey, i tell you what— i'll do you a deal, right.

You give him a chance,

And i'll give you a hand. Can't say fairer than that. Come on.

I see this is gonna be tougher than i thought.

Yours, i believe.

- Come on. - Where are we going?

Shopping.

- Help yourself to relish. - Thank you.

- Just the one? - No.

- Can i help you? - I hope so.

May i introduce the laird of glenbogle?

Uh, we were—

Looking for something a little more...

Traditional.

Could you give that to meg for me? Thanks.

Are you sure about this?

Trust me.

- Oh, he's nice. - Yeah.

That's all we've got— lack of demand.

Funny that.

I'm not wearing this. I feel like a prat.

- And i look like one. - We'll take it.

Exactly how is this gonna help?

Ever hear the expression "clothes maketh the man"?

Five, six, seven, eight—

And stamp, step, side, close, and up, two, three, four,

And down, two, three, four.

Stamp, stamp, stamp, stamp. Five, six, seven, eight.

And stamp, step, side, close and up, two, three, four—

This may have been a tactical error.

- I'm worried for the boy. - Stamp, step—

Five, six, seven, eight and stamp—

- Usual route? - Five minutes.

—three, four and down, two, three—

- Thank you. - This way.

Fishing?

You need to get the grip of how a laird spends his time,

Which i believe traditionally involves hunting, shooting and—

So i just waste time while the others work?

It's called leadership.

This way you can keep your eye on the big picture. Everything ready?

As it will ever be.

Right. Come on.

Okay, okay, let's get this over with.

At last. I was beginning to think i'd frightened you all off.

Miss buchanan, shall we talk trees?

- ( crowd chattering ) - ( music playing )

( whispers ) they're coming for us.

Remember what i said, son.

Take it back sharp.

Pause right, pause, and then forward.

And this is what my father did all day?

Hector was always very keen on his fishing,

Right up until the end in fact.

Shame i didn't inherit any of his skill.

I don't think hector would have called it that.

But i'm sure he would have loved the chance to show you.

( sighs ) paul, all this stuff is—

All this—

You're sure you trust your friend enough to run your life for you?

- Alex deserves his chance. - So you said.

Look, he might be just the change this place needs.

You know— a new way of doing things.

And jess and ewan?

We'll all just have to get used to it.

And remember— the pause at the top.

The art of being a laird is,

I suppose, learning to trust your own instincts.

How do you know if you've got the right ones?

( chuckles ) yeah, that's always been the tricky part.

Okay, pause.

Much better, much better.

All right, mind if i—

You might as well. No one else is.

- Donald: the trail is cold. - It better be.

Enough is enough, macdonald.

Let's just get in the car

And go home before anybody sees us.

I see you have competition.

- If you can call it that. - They're great!

I know that, you know that.

Yes, but the masses are voting with their wallets.

I'm no economist, but have you considered—

I cut mine, he cuts his.

If i go any lower, i might as well give them away.

Ahh.

Or you play dirty, hmm?

Okay, mister, what'll it be?

Environmental health. Kerry dalgliesh.

No, don't say it, i've heard it all.

Nothing to worry about. Just a routine spot check.

Monitoring your progress on certain areas, eh?

Now then,

Where for instance are we on the rat?

- ( gasps ) - What rat problem?

Ah, i see— still in denial, okay.

Cockroaches? I know that the last time we spoke,

You claimed that the rats were eating the cockroaches.

But as i explained at the time,

Technically that is against the regulations.

This is a joke, right?

On the contrary, i'm very serious about public health.

Right!

And i have to remind you that any violence towards

Her majesty's inspectors is a criminal offense.

- What's— - The show is over.

Go! Go! Go!

- Ewan: what're you doin'? - Donald: you're going the wrong way.

- I can't help it! It's stuck! - Stop stop!

Damn.

Planting here would cost you next to nothing.

It would do,

Only we've promised it to isobel anderson, one of our tenant farmers.

Far be it from me to meddle in estate politics,

But...

It's called farmland premium,

Paid for change of use.

Plant this land and you'll be in line for a further grant.

How much?

Thanks. Looking for me?

I can see you're busy.

Dad, there's an injured stag up by the lochan.

I'm sure you're more than capable.

I was hoping you'd be able to sort it.

Go on, go. I think the fish have had enough punishment for one day.

Sorry to spoil your life of leisure.

No, you're doing us both a favor.

Like your friend?

Is this what they call regimental loyalty,

Or is it just good old jobs for the boys?

You've made the right decision.

- Us tree people must stick together. - Absolutely.

I believe these... Belong to you.

Golly?

I was beginning to think you'd changed your mind.

- What are you doing here? - Well...

- I got your note. - Note?

Here.

Golly?

Listen, i'm— i'm sorry about this.

There's been a mistake. I didn't write that.

So who did?

We've been set up.

Well, whoever it was, they know how to pick a spot.

I'm sorry that you've been...

Dragged all the way up here. I'll drive you back.

Och, it seems a shame to waste all of this.

I mean, seeing as someone went to all this trouble.

Trouble is the word all right.

Perhaps they were trying to do you a favor.

Am i supposed to be grateful or something?

I would be.

A peace offering.

- I think i've had my fill. - Come on.

Callum poking his nose in

Was just a setback at worst.

For you, maybe.

I've got responsibilities.

There's a policewoman out there with my ring on her finger.

- For now. - Forever, donald.

Look at me, i'm this far off

Being an old man.

I need peace,

And i need quiet,

And i need isla.

A pipe and slippers?

Aye, a woman that loves me.

I know you almost as well as you know yourself

And i know you've never had that.

- I beg— - I know there have been the great passions

And the fly-By-Night lassies.

But you've never had what i've got with isla.

Perhaps i didn't want it.

I was a racer,

A risk taker. I couldn't settle down.

You think you're living life,

But from where i'm sitting

All you've ever done is avoid it.

I'm not prepared to make that mistake.

Did you find it?

The stag? Yeah, i found it.

So how was it?

Dad!

- Come on, what happened? - Nothing happened.

Apart from being humiliated by my own daughter.

The woman is practically half my age.

I was trying to help you.

- What was i supposed to say to her? - "hello"?

- I run my own life. - Dad...

How do you think i feel?

- I hate seeing you like this. - Like what exactly?

Lonely.

Dad!

What happened?

You wouldn't believe me if i told you.

You know, i thought if i worked hard,

If i put in the hours, things would come good.

What are you doing here, alex?

Um... I've got some news.

Paul's given me the factor's job.

Congratulations.

It means i'll be sticking around.

I'm sorry,

It's not what you want to hear right now, i know.

I'm pleased.

I really am.

Could you give this to alex for me?

I should have left it with him earlier, but it completely slipped my mind.

I don't understand.

It's just some forms for miss anderson to sign.

- For the farmland conversion. - Right.

Aye, aye.

Do you know what i liked about the army?

It was all laid out for you. You got up when they told you,

You did what they told you and you went to bed—

When they told you. Yeah, i remember.

It was simple. Officers and men.

The lads used to laugh at them,

You know, people like alex.

Of course, we all knew what we'd do if we were in charge.

We were in kosovo together.

Alex was my c.O.

I was leading a routine patrol.

I saw a group of civilians. God knows what they were doing there,

But they were coming under fire.

I had to make a decision.

So i took the squad in.

And it was a trap.

As soon as we got there, all hell broke loose.

Alex had to come in and bail me out.

That's when he got hit.

He was invalided out a few months later...

Because of me.

I see.

And now you're the one in charge.

Paul, your father was a very eccentric man.

He made mistakes, lots of them.

He had his own way of doing things.

But somehow, one way or the other,

It all seemed to work out.

I suppose he had an instinct for the place,

For the right thing to do.

And what if i don't want to take charge?

Someone else will do it.

This place is bigger than all of us, son.

All we can do is take care of it the best we can.

What if my best isn't good enough, golly?

Just don't fail for the want of trying.

That wasn't your father's way and i'm damn sure it isn't yours.

You knew about this?

Where did you get it?

Hey. You okay?

Donald?

See that? That's my life.

That's all i've got...

- And it's nothing. - It doesn't look like nothing.

You should look harder.

- I shouldn't have walked out like that. - I know.

What you want me to do, i...

I just don't think i can.

Take the risk, i mean.

Dad, it was only supposed to be a date.

- A bit of fun. - To you, maybe, but—

What you have to understand is that after molly...

I made a decision

Just to leave all that stuff behind me,

Get out of the game permanently.

Retired hurt.

- Just like that? - No, not just like that.

I would like someone— someone like your mom even.

But... I'm scared.

There was me thinking you weren't scared of anything.

Do you like her? Meg?

Yes. Yes, i do.

- What the hell is this? - What you wanted.

No, we agreed you were gonna discuss it with her.

- I am— i was about to. - But in the meantime

- You thought you'd get the ball rolling anyway. - No, it wasn't like that.

- She was upset. - Oh, don't tell me—

She needed a shoulder to cry on.

Come on, this is why you employed me, to do your dirty work for you,

Run the estate while the laird keeps his conscience clean.

You just don't get it, do you?

We're not talking about pieces on a board! These are people, real people.

Sometimes the end justifies the means, paul.

No. Maybe for you,

Not for me. Not anymore.

Can someone tell me what's going on?

Get him away from here.

Get him off my farm.

What did you say to him?

He asked for it.

All this nonsense about isla.

- He's just jealous. - He's alone.

Do you think he needed you to tell him that?

He's got all this, people waiting on him hand and foot.

And would you swap him?

No, i can't say i would.

The question is, what are we gonna do about it?

Come in.

It didn't happen the way you think it did.

What you had...

With the rest of the squad...

I could never get that.

I tried.

Don't get me wrong,

I didn't need them to like me.

But i wanted their respect.

You had it.

What happened in that street was my fault.

But they still followed you.

Just like they do here,

Because deep down they know they can trust you to do the right thing.

I've never had that strength.

You gave me a chance

And i blew it.

That makes us even.

I didn't want it to turn out this way.

Yeah, it's up to me now.

- Aye, aye. - Hi.

Uh... You were right, i should have been grateful.

I was rude, ill-Mannered.

It was completely out of order.

And i'm sorry.

I know that i don't really deserve a second chance.

You're right,

You don't.

But i'm going to give you one...

On one condition.

- This is wise? - It's essential.

Aye, it's the only thing.

But it's your decision.

Hey, macdonald,

Do you remember this? How it feels?

Every day.

I wouldn't have missed it for the world.

I couldn't have done it without you.

- May the best man win. - He intends to.

- Do i really have to do this? - We had a deal.

- I'm waiting. - Patience.

Go on, donald, son.

- Just one more thing. - Yeah?

What exactly...

Is golly short for?

( chuckles ) come here.

- Shall i tell you a secret now? - Yes, please.

Is that gap supposed to be there?

Donald!

Donald? Are you all right?

Donald, you'll never change.

- You got it running then? - Yeah, thanks to jackie.

It was the least they could do after the mess they made of my stall.

So that's it then— 10 years, whether i like it or not.

Yeah. Sorry about the neighbors.

Well, you know, you can't have everything.

Still think you can make a go of it?

Who knows? At least i know who i can trust from now on.

Paul...

Can i just ask you one thing?

Alex and me—

You weren't just a tiny bit jealous?

Yeah, a little. He and i were very close.

So what about your precious trees?

Even lairds can't always get what they want.

- Man: hip, hip— - All: hooray.

I hardly think this is necessary in the circumstances.