Martin Compston plays Ewan

Ewan can barely wipe the smile off his face - now he's moved into the big house as chef and housekeeper he realises that the potential for chaos and mischief-making is rife.

And it looks like award winning actor Martin Compston - who made his stunning big screen debut in Ken Loach's Sweet Sixteen - is having just as much fun as his cheeky chappie character.

"For once I'm playing a character who is happy-go-lucky and enjoying life to the full. Ewan's just a perky, upbeat, cheeky little bloke whereas normally I'm cast as the exact opposite," says Martin, with his trademark big grin.

"When I was in The Royal I played a guy who was suicidal, in Rock Face I was suicidal and then in Casualty - guess what? Yep, I was suicidal.

"What is it about me that makes people think, 'Ah yes, we need a suicidal depressive... let's call Martin Compston'.

"That's why I love playing Ewan - the guy is a total breath of fresh air.

"After I did Sweet Sixteen everyone was pressuring me to go off to America but I didn't feel I had enough experience, I didn't feel ready.

"So when Monarch came along I jumped at the chance. I did five episodes last year and now a full series this year where I'm working everyday with different actors and directors and I'm learning on the job.

"I didn't have any acting training so Monarch has been my drama school. No doubt about it."

In Donald MacDonald, Ewan finds an interesting if unlikely friend. The fun loving pair team up and are a constant source of worry for Paul and great amusement to everyone else.

Says Martin: "Basically they are both a little bit out of sorts. Ewan's a Glasgow boy, he's settled in the house, but he still feels a bit out of place there.

"Now Donald has arrived and he's another one who has been spirited in from somewhere else and feels like an outsider.

"So I think there's a real sympathy for each other there and they're both really mischievous and enjoy creating a bit of excitement."

And again, it seems to be a case of life imitating art as Martin and Tom Baker have become great - if unlikely - friends off screen as well.

"The big man is brilliant, he's something else. So much fun," enthuses Martin.

"He puts me to shame, the amount of energy and enthusiasm he's got for his age. He's the old grand dramatic actor and I'm just the little Glasgow kid nipping about in the background.

"It's a great relationship. We are so different in every way - in both our background and our acting - but I think the way we bounce off each other both on and off screen is just fabulous."

Like most lads his age, Ewan is constantly on the lookout for love, but romantic action has been a little thin on the ground in Glenbogle.

"When I joined, the description for Ewan's character was 'a bit mischievous and he's got an eye for the ladies'.

"And I was thinking, 'What ladies? There aren't any girls in Glenbogle'. But this time there are a couple of potential love interests which is fantastic. You can never knock a snog on screen. Take what you can get, that's what I say.

"You know, I like snogging so I am as happy as hell doing a screen snog. It's one of the perks of the job."

Between series, Greenock-born Martin starred in the film Niceland with Gary Lewis and Kerry Fox and has just finished filming the as yet untitled new Ken Loach movie in Rome.

For someone who gets mobbed by fans in his native Scotland, Martin is endearingly down to earth about his incredible success.

He says: "For a young guy I have done very well for myself, but I have got a long way to go before I can think that I've made it.

"If I'm still as good as Tom Baker when I'm his age, well, then and only then I might just give myself a little pat on the back."