Real-life former detectives are setting up a mock police station in Glasgow as part of the creation of a special Taggart archive. 

Retired cops will host drop-in sessions at Glasgow Caledonian University (GCU) next month to conduct 'witness interviews' in a bid to collect testimonies from members of the public who were involved in the long-running crime series.

It coincides with the 40th anniversary of Killer, the pilot episode of the STV crime drama which ran for 27 seasons. 

Aired on September 6, 1983, locations featured in DCI Jim Taggart’s first outing include a riverbank off Kelvindale Road, a canal bank off Maryhill Road, the Botanic Gardens, Partick Cross, and Sighthill Cemetery. 

Glasgow Times:

Anyone in Glasgow who was involved in location shoots, worked as an extra, played a corpse or provided props or expertise to the show is being urged to come forward so their stories can be captured and preserved in their archive.

Carole McCallum, who is an archivist at GCU, said: “What better way is there to give Glasgow, and Scotland, a voice in the Taggart story than through the people who loved and supported it?

“Giving people the chance to add their stories to the programme’s legacy ensures they too have ownership of Taggart’s proud heritage.

"It also gives us a chance to break barriers and show that archives are for everyone."

We previously reported that Blythe Duff, who played Jackie Reid in the series, had donated a treasure trove of Taggart memorabilia to the university.

Photographs, awards, press cuttings, rare items and around 95 original scripts were given to the archive which supports GCU's media department.

Glasgow Times:

Speaking about the drop-in sessions, Blythe said: "The police were always incredibly supportive of the series when we filmed and they are ready to step up to the mark and have some fun as we recreate an incident room where the public can give us witness statements and hopefully some memorabilia, which will be used as evidence to corroborate their story.”

Ms McCallum added: “Blythe’s vision is completely aligned with our ethos so we are delighted she has chosen us as her partner in the creation of this people’s archive.

“We are interested in every story, big and small, but our success in creating this new collection depends on people coming forward.

"Don’t be shy – step forward as a witness so current and future generations better understand this iconic crime drama.”

Glasgow Times:

Much of the memorabilia will be on display at the incident rooms during the drop-in sessions, and all contributions will be collected and added to display boards and maps.

Sarah Brown, creative director of Drama at STV, said: “We’re so proud of Taggart and the legacy the series has left behind after 28 years on air.

"The show was a rich training ground for so many production crew, writers and actors in Scotland who have gone on to have successful careers in television; and the storylines, characters and murders continue to be watched by fans all around the world.

"We’re thrilled that Glasgow Caledonian University is launching its special Taggart archive on its 40th anniversary and can’t wait to hear people’s stories of how the drama impacted their lives.”

The drop-in sessions will be held from September 6 to 8 at the GCU Archive Centre in the Sir Alex Ferguson Library.

The centre is open from 11am to 4pm on Wednesday, September 6, from 11am to 7pm on Thursday, September 7 and from 10.30am to 3pm on Friday, September 8.