Thurso vet surgery proving popular with fans of TV show
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Thurso looks set to have a new visitor attraction thanks to the success of the TV programme The Highland Vet which was filmed in Caithness.
Staff at DS McGregor & Partners have noticed tourists making a detour to the Thurso surgery for a quick photo opportunity while enjoying a break on the North Coast 500.
Veterinary surgeon and practice director Guy Gordon was called to the front office one day when a young fan of the hit 5Select series called in hoping to meet the stars of the programme.
Guy explained: "He was from the south of Scotland and was up visiting relatives in Wick – he was desperate to come across to this side of the county and see us. He said The Highland Vet was his favourite programme."
The young lad was happy to get a photograph of Guy along with fellow vet Ken Wilson standing outside the surgery.
Staff at the vet practice have also recently observed a campervan pulling into the surgery car park.
Saying that it could be a new landmark in the county, Guy added: "It would be nice to think we had helped to put the NC500 on the map."
Although not looking for stardom, those taking part in the popular new TV series are finding that local people are now more likely to stop and speak to them about the programme.
"It is a conversation starter," Guy said. "When the restaurants opened I was sitting in one of the local hotels and a boy kind of waved at me from another table. His mum pointed out that he had seen me on television."
He added: "People have been jokingly saying 'we should be asking you for your autograph', although no-one has actually asked me for it yet."
The first six programmes, narrated by Downton Abbey star Phyllis Logan, were shown on 5Select on Monday nights from June 15 to July 20.
Fans might have to wait until October before the next six programmes are aired.
The Highland Vet shows how the staff of DS McGregor & Partners' mixed practices in Thurso and Wick go about their work covering an expanse of more than 1000 square miles.
Filming of the first series was carried out during the winter and early spring before lockdown.
The Yorkshire Vet star Julian Norton worked with McGregor & Partners almost 25 years ago.
