The Hydro: A Full-Cast BBC Radio Drama Series

All three series of Ronald Frame’s acclaimed drama set in a luxury hotel in the Scottish Highlands, plus ten spin-off stories

The Carnbeg Hydro is a high-class spa resort set amidst the scenic wooded foothills of the Grampians. Over 100 years old, it’s a grand country hotel in the old tradition – but times have changed, and the Hydro must change with them. Following her husband’s death in a speedboat accident, Fee Drummond has taken over as managing director, and is determined to succeed in her own right. But she has enemies who would love to see her fail – among them, her own mother-in-law Marjorie…

Fee has a tough task ahead of her – the hotel is in financial trouble, and the bank has just dropped a legal bombshell. And there is an even greater shock to come: one that will send skeletons tumbling out of the Drummond closet, and precipitate a crisis within the family. But in the midst of all the turmoil, there are still the hotel guests to attend to, each of whom has their own problems and secrets – from the distinguished concert violinist suffering from stage fright to the soap star planning revenge, the artist's widow trying to avoid the probing lens of a TV documentary crew, and the famous novelist out to settle old scores…

Written by award-winning novelist Ronald Frame, this captivating serial stars Eliza Langland as Fee, with a full cast including David Rintoul, Crawford Logan and Ann Scott-Jones.

Also featured are two spin-off series following the lives of various Carnbeg characters past and present, in Carnbeg Stories and More Stories from Carnbeg.

Cast The Hydro Fee – Eliza Langland David – David Rintoul/Crawford Logan Mrs Kirkpatrick/Mary – Sheila Donald Marjorie Drummond – Ann Scott-Jones Sergeant Wilkie/Dunbar/Chris – Finlay McLean Mr Edel/Drummond – Crawford Logan Laura – Wendy Seager Kirsty – Gayanne Potter Calum – Geoffrey Lee Colin – Crawford Logan/Simon Tait With John Buick, Jan Moffatt, James Bryce, Alexander Morton, Mairi Gillespie, Liam Brennan, Sandy Neilson, Una McLean, Edith MacArthur, Gregor Powrie, Deirdre Davis, Louise Ludgate, Vivienne Dixon, Paul Young, Emma Currie, Irene MacDougall, Sarah Collier, Allan Sharpe, Richard Greenwood, Edward Forge, Muriel Romanes, Monica Gibb, Isabella Jarrett, Tom Watson, Russell Hunter, Anne Downie, Tony Cownie, Douglas Russell, Gerda Stevenson, Rose McBain, Barbara Rafferty, Michael Elder, Margot Clair, Eric Barlow and Catherine Baxter

Directed by Patrick Rayner

Carnbeg Stories read by Tamara Kennedy (‘The Doocot’, ‘The Fitting’, ‘Bonfires’) and Michael Mackenzie (‘The New’, ‘Away from It All’)

More Stories from Carnbeg read by Paul Young (‘Blind Shot’), Nick Farr (‘Bull’), Eileen McCallum (‘The Evening News’, ‘Ben the Hoose’) and Irene MacDougall (‘The Adventures of Rosie Applecheeks’)

Produced by David Jackson Young

First broadcast BBC Radio 4: 30 April-21 May 1997 (Series 1), 25 August-15 September 1998 (Series 2), 26 October-16 November 1999 (Series 3), 7-11 July 2003 (Carnbeg Stories), 4-8 October 2004 (More Stories from Carnbeg)

© 2025 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2025 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

© 2025 BBC Digital Audio (Lydbog): 9781529959451

Udgivelsesdato

Lydbog: 24. juli 2025