Scot Squad prop dispatched to the Highlands

The police station in Thurso now boasts a new portrait, after being the butt of a joke in BBC Scotland sitcom Scot Squad.

Officers in the Highland town contacted producers after a line in the series suggested that a painting was so ugly it should be consigned to the remote community.

So they asked if they could have the prop artwork… and programme-makers obliged.

In the first episode of the new series, which agreed last month, chief commissioner Cameron Miekelson, played by Jack Docherty, commissioned a portrait of himself to ‘inspire the men’.

But when he saw the finished abstract piece, the disgruntled chief suggested it might be best ‘in the Thurso station or something’.

Judith Hill from the station wrote to BBC Scotland: ‘We’ve waited in anticipation for series two and to our absolute delight Thurso Polce Station was mentioned. Should we be lucky enough to actually receive a copy (or original) of this modern piece of artwork it would be given pride of place!’

So The Comedy Unit, makers of Scot Squad, tracked it down and dispatched in to Thurso.

In character as Miekelson, Docherty said: ‘I’m thrilled to be seeing the back of, I mean, present this portrait to the Thurso station. I would have presented it myself in person but it’s over five hours’ drive. Five hours! No you’re all right, that’s just madness. So I’ve posted it to them. Hopefully they’ll find a nice prominent wall in the station to hang it.’

Executive producer Rab Christie added: ‘We’re sad to see the oil painting go, but we’re delighted Thurso Police Station got in before the National Portrait Gallery in Edinburgh called up.’

Scot Squad airs on BBC One Scotland, Mondays at 10.35pm.