Hamish Macbeth is the unambitious community copper in the dozy, eccentric-populated Highland village of Lochdubh. Laid back about most things (salmon poaching never exercises him, pub lock-ins are community events, pirate radio is a service not a felony, and he likes to smoke a bit of pot himself now and again), he nevertheless proves more than a handful for any prospective criminals.

Stories reflect the timeless, parochial nature of the village where key characters include Doc Brown, grocer Rory Campbell and the second-sighted TV John (so named for having the first set in the village).

However, Macbeth's best pal is his West Highland terrier, Wee Jock (real name Zippy) who, to much grief, does not survive the first series after a hit-and-run incident. Wee Jock Two (real name Fraoch, later replaced by Dex) is appointed for future episodes. Human love for the lawman comes from journalist Isobel and Alex, a former girlfriend.