Public urged to come forward with arresting Taggart stories

Taggart: The People’s Archive

Drop-in sessions – September 6-8

Glasgow Caledonian University Archive Centre

Sir Alex Ferguson Library

Opening times:

With its iconic theme tune and gritty storylines, Taggart set the standard for the modern TV police drama and turned its much-loved cast into household names.

But one character remained ever present during its record-breaking 27-season run – the city of Glasgow.

The series, created by Glenn Chandler and produced by STV, provided an extraordinary document of a changing city and, in turn, documented the lives of Glaswegians, places, buildings, vehicles, fashions, and attitudes.

Now, to coincide with the 40^th anniversary of Taggart’s pilot Killer, Glasgow Caledonian University is launching Taggart: The People’s Archive – to recognise the role the public played in one of the world’s longest-running police dramas.

Members of the public who were involved in location shoots, worked as extras, played a corpse or provided props or expertise to the show are being urged to come forward so their stories can be captured.

A team of retired detectives will host drop-in sessions at Glasgow Caledonian University Archive Centre next month in a mock police station to take ‘witness statements’ resulting in the creation of a new archive.

Taggart star Dr Blythe Duff, who donated all of her scripts from the show to the archives at Glasgow Caledonian in 2018, will join volunteers over three days, from September 6-8.

Blythe, who played Jackie Reid in the show and is an honorary graduate and cultural fellow of Glasgow Caledonian, said: “Everyone I meet has a Taggart story: ‘Oh you filmed in my auntie’s house’ or ‘in our street’, or ‘I was an extra for the day’.

“I’ve worked with so many people who watched us film and it inspired them to become directors, writers or join the police.

“It made me realise how important these stories are to the fabric of the series.”

In 2018, Blythe donated scripts from 95 episodes to the University’s archives, along with a treasure trove of Taggart material, including still photographs, awards, rare memorabilia and press cuttings. A selection of the items will be on display during the drop-in sessions.

Retired detectives, helped by the University’s archivists, will collect all the stories and some of the contributions will be added to display boards and maps in an ‘incident room’ set up on campus.

Blythe, who devised the new archive, added: “The police were always incredibly supportive of the series when we filmed and they are ready to step up to the mark and have some fun as we recreate an incident room where the public can give us witness statements and hopefully some memorabilia, which will be used as evidence to corroborate their story.”

Taggart’s pilot Killer was first screened on STV on September 6, 1983. Locations featured in Detective Chief Inspector Jim Taggart’s first outing include a riverbank, off Kelvindale Road, a canal bank off Maryhill Road, the Botanic Gardens, Partick Cross, and Sighthill Cemetery.

Carole McCallum, Archivist at Glasgow Caledonian University, said: “What better way is there to give Glasgow, and Scotland, a voice in the Taggart story than through the people who loved and supported it?

“Giving people the chance to add their stories to the programme’s legacy ensures they too have ownership of Taggart’s proud heritage. It also gives us a chance to break barriers and show that archives are for everyone.

“Blythe’s vision is completely aligned with our ethos so we are delighted she has chosen us as her partner in the creation of this people’s archive.

“We are interested in every story, big and small, but our success in creating this new collection depends on people coming forward. Don’t be shy – step forward as a witness so current and future generations better understand this iconic crime drama.”

Sarah Brown, Creative Director of Drama at STV, said: “We’re so proud of Taggart and the legacy the series has left behind after 28 years on air. The show was a rich training ground for so many production crew, writers and actors in Scotland who have gone on to have successful careers in television; and the storylines, characters and murders continue to be watched by fans all around the world.

"We’re thrilled that Glasgow Caledonian University is launching its special Taggart archive on its 40^th anniversary and can’t wait to hear people’s stories of how the drama impacted their lives.”