Monarch of the Glen star Alexander Morton dies at 81: "Not only a brilliant actor, but one of the kindest men I ever knew"

But tributes have poured in for the star, who also appeared in hit shows such as Take the High Road, Casualty, Thugger and Luther, Minder, Taggart, Rab C Nesbitt, Second Sight, Shetland, River City and Valhalla Rising. Robert Carlyle, his co-star in mini series Looking After Jo‑Jo, said he was “one of the kindest men I ever knew”.

“So sad to hear of the passing of the great Sandy Morton," he said. “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.”

Gavin Mitchell, best known for playing Boaby the Barman in Still Game, said: “Such devastating news to hear of the passing of Sandy Morton today from his son Jamie. He was a titian of a man and an actor. Only yesterday I commented on Ian Rankin’s post, saying how brilliant Sandy is.

“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.”

Known as Sandy, Alexander was born in Glasgow in 1945 and trained at London’s Central School of Speech and Drama in the 1960s.