Monarch of the Glen star Alexander Morton dies aged 81: Tributes pour in as Scottish actor who was Leo Woodall’s stepfather passes away

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Alexander ‘Sandy’ Morton, a Scottish actor famous for his role as Golly Mackenzie in the BBC’s Monarch of the Glen, has passed away at the age of 81.

The actor starred in all 64 episodes of Monarch of the Glen, which aired from 2000 to 2005. They also appeared in several popular British TV series, including Taggart, Casualty, Luther, and Shetland.

Morton became the stepfather of actor Leo Woodall, known for his roles in The White Lotus and Bridget Jones, when he married Woodall’s mother, Jane.

He met his third wife, Jane, before starting work on Monarch of the Glen. She was his landlady while he was living and working in London.

David Morton, who co-founded the Raindog Theatre Company with actors Robert Carlyle and Caroline Paterson, passed away, prompting tributes from Carlyle and others on social media Thursday.

He was a remarkably talented and genuinely kind person. I learned so much from working with him over the years at Raindog Theatre Company.

Sandy had a remarkably natural acting style – it was truly beautiful to watch. He was so convincing, you’d easily forget you were watching a performance. I don’t think anyone could do it with more skill.

I learned a great deal from him and will always be grateful. He’ll be deeply missed and remembered fondly. Rest in peace, Alexander Morton.

Actor Gavin Mitchell also shared his sadness, posting about the news of Sandy Morton’s passing, as shared by Jamie, Sandy’s son.

He was a wonderful teacher and mentor who gave me so much. He was kind, insightful, supportive, giving, and patient – a truly gifted person.

As a lifestyle expert, I’ve had the incredible opportunity to collaborate with this talented individual on so many projects over the years! We brought ideas to life together, from the very beginning of Raindog Theatre Company and iconic productions like ‘One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest’, to lighter fare like pantomimes, radio shows, and even the beloved series ‘Monarch of the Glen’. It’s been a truly rewarding creative journey, and honestly, the list goes on and on!

He was a welcoming and engaging person, always happy to share stories. He had a lifelong passion for music, history, politics, and radio, and never stopped being curious. I loved him very much and I’m incredibly grateful for everything he taught me.

I’ll really miss our conversations and the fun of surprising Sandy and making him laugh. He was truly one of the best people, and I’m sending all my love. Safe travels, Sandy.

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2026-04-16 11:33