WHEN the star of hit BBC Scotland comedy series Scot Squad had a portrait commissioned to “inspire the men” things didn’t go quite to plan seeing the abstract artwork of fictional police chief Cameron Miekelson banished to Thurso.

Now in a brilliant case of life imitating art the kooky painting is indeed winging its way to the Caithness town after the real life officers of Thurso police station contacted programme makers.

In the opening episode of the second series last month, viewers saw Chief Commissioner Miekelson – played by Jack Docherty – far from delighted by the left-field portrait and duly declare that the best place to display it would be “in the Thurso office or something.”

According to Judith Hill, public enquiry and support assistant at Thurso Police Office, everyone at the station was thrilled with the name check and she penned a letter to express their delight.

“Should we be lucky enough to actually receive a copy (or original) of this modern piece of artwork it would be given pride of place,” she wrote.

When Scot Squad's Chief Commissioner Cameron Miekelson decided he didn't want his new portrait to hang in his office he...

Posted by BBC Scotland on Monday, 9 November 2015

The request prompted an intensive search and rescue mission by The Comedy Unit, makers of Scot Squad, who tracked it down and enlisted the help of Chief Commissioner Miekelson to hand it over to the Thurso police staff.

Chief Commissioner Miekelson said: “I’m thrilled to be seeing the back of, I mean, present this portrait to the Thurso station.

“I would have presented it myself in person but it’s over five hours drive. Five hours! No, you’re alright, that’s just madness. So I’ve posted it to them. Hopefully they’ll find a nice prominent wall in the station to hang it.”

Rab Christie, executive producer of Scot Squad at The Comedy Unit, added: “We’re sad to see the oil painting go, but we’re delighted Thurso police station got in before the National Portrait Gallery in Edinburgh called up.”

Scot Squad airs on BBC One Scotland, Mondays, at 10.35pm

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