[3] The main characters are Jack Jarvis and Victor McDade, two lifelong friends who are neighbours in Osprey Heights, a tower block.
Other main characters include: Boabby the barman, Navid Harrid, owner of the local corner shop, and Jack and Victor's nosy neighbour Isa Drennan.
However, Jack has shown himself to be more observant than Victor on several occasions - notably, in the episode "Wummin", he recognises (albeit incorrectly) that Bert Findlay's strange behaviour shows signs of an impending suicide.
Initially, Victor wore a bunnet like Jack's; this was changed after the first episode to a trilby hat to add visual distinction between the two characters.
He has a short temper and is known for his scheming and attempts to cheat the system, usually in search of extra money - for example committing benefit fraud, or bypassing his electricity meter to survive the winter.
In the earlier stage play, he mentions a brother named George living in Nevada and a son who died in a car accident in 1967 but it is unknown if this is correct with the television series.
He is not a believer in the phrase "the customer is always right" and prefers to hand out snide comments with his pints, though the locals are not the type of people to take them lying down.
Although Boabby is sarcastic and mouthy by nature, he occasionally shows he that he has a charitable and honourable side, and demonstrates more respect for Isa than the other pensioners do.
In the last scene of the final episode "Over the Hill", Boabby is seen some years later as a substantially older man still working in The Clansman, where he welcomes the viewers to the pub.
Despite many people outwardly professing to be annoyed by Isa, she is still regarded as a vital member of the community, with the other pensioners immediately leaping to defend her if they feel she is being treated unjustly.
Tam enters competitions to get hold of free goods (which, much to the others' annoyance, he always wins), and in some episodes appears to be delirious at the thought of getting freebies.
Tam is a DJ at the Western General Hospital and often manages to con the terminally ill out of their valuable possessions, to the dismay of his friends.
Navid is a Muslim who laments the fact that his religion forbids both gambling and the consumption of alcohol – although in the episode "The Undrinkables" it is revealed that he and Meena are distilling potentially dangerous moonshine and secretly distributing it around the estate.
Eric dies in the series 8 episode "Grim Up North" due to a heart attack (yet people were convinced that it was from "the touch of Satan by new funeral director Mr Sheathing).
Methadone Mick (portrayed by Scott Reid), is a young recovering drug addict who lives under a bridge and was a friend of Pete the Jakey.
Chris seems to be a very lazy postman, and often leaves "Sorry You Were Out" cards deliberately when he can't be bothered delivering people's parcels.
Despite these shortcomings, Chris is revealed to be a talented painter and decorator, managing to satisfactorily redecorate Isa's flat after Jack and Victor spectacularly botch the job.
Played by Kate Donnelly, Frances (whose maiden name has been given as both Kirkwood and Drummond) works at the library in Craiglang and is married to Tam.
In "Cat's Whiskers", Edith gets a makeover (e.g. having her moles removed and having fluid drained from her, which was the reason for her hunchback) and becomes a cover star of Twilight Monthly magazine along with Shug, who she starts a relationship with.
In episode "Waddin", he was wrongly thought to have died in hospital (it was a younger man with the same name) and everything he had borrowed was claimed back by their rightful owners.
He was supposed to be marrying Sinead from the cafe but on his stag night, Jack and Victor tied him to a fence naked and he ended up missing his own wedding.
Neddy Mum (2005-2007) The bane of Navid, always coming in to complain of the state of his confectionery and asking for refunds for "Hot Mini Eggs" and chocolate that gave "Ma Wee Justin" diarrhoea.
The character was portrayed by Nicole Toal (2005-2006) and then Cheryl McCall (2007) Charlie (2006–2007) A very large man, seemingly obese, enough even to make the Osprey Heights lift break.
Wullie Napier (2002) A resident of Osprey Heights and old friend of Jack, Victor and Pete the jakey who dies as a result from the cold weather in episode "Cauld".
Ronnie Wilson (2003) Played by John Sheddon - An elderly man, formerly a quiz show contestant on Mastermind, who took a 'goofy turn' in George Square; he stripped down to his underpants and began bawling and shouting.
However, she is forced to resume being Winston's home help after he, Jack and Victor discovered that she was having an affair with the reclusive widow, Bert Findlay.
Jack, Victor and the Craiglang locals welcomed him out and encouraged him not to shut himself in again, without success, although, they did get him addicted to McDonald's and arranged for him to be rehoused in Osprey Heights.
Nobody believes Isa until Rena comes into Navid's and buys a bottle of white spirits, a box of matches and a packet of Jammie Dodgers.
Tam claims that Frank Sinatra bought her a drink when she performed in New York, although this is probably a lie in order to get a free round from Boabby.
When preparing Methadone Mick for a job interview, Jack and Victor notice that his teeth are rotten and take him to Cammy to tend to them.