In The News

Actress Mary Riggans passes away

Actress Mary Riggans passes away

ONE of Scotland’s best-known actresses, Mary Riggans, has passed away at the age of 78.

Ms. Riggans will be best remembered by older fans for her long involvement with a popular TV soap and by younger fans for her time with a popular show on children’s television.

She played the character of Effie MacInnes/McDonald in the STV production of Take The High Road for almost 20 years. Then, at a time when many actors would have been contemplating retirement, she became known to a new generation of viewers when she joined the cast of Balamory.  Ms. Riggans played the character of shopkeeper Susie Sweet (see below) between 2002 and 2005.

During her long career, Ms. Riggans had enjoyed success on stage and screen. Over the years she appeared in some of the most popular shows on British television, including Dr. Finlay’s Casebook, Sutherland’s Law, Taggart and Rab C. Nesbitt. She also appeared in a number of TV movies, including Jonah and the Whale (1975), The White Bird Passes (1980) and Silent Mouse (1990).

In 1983 Ms. Riggans won a Sony Award for her performance in the radio play Till A’ The Seas Run Dry by Donald Campbell.

Among the many tributes was one from Yvonne Jennings who was a producer on Balamory series. She said: “Mary was well respected by those who worked with her and much loved by the CBeebies audience. She was an extremely professional actress with impeccable comedy timing. She’ll be sadly missed by many.”

Ms. Riggans had suffered a stroke in 2012 which had affected her movement and speech.

To see Mary Riggans performing Suzie Sweet’s Coloured House Song, click here.

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