In the mid-1930s James Herriot, who has recently graduated from the veterinary college in Glasgow, finds work in the rustic Yorkshire Dales of Northern England. This heartwarming drama chronicles his encounters with the locals and the animals they depend on.
Life for a newly qualified vet like James Herriot is not at all easy. He travels all the way to Darrowby, Yorkshire to secure a job, but by the time his prospective employer, Siegfried Farnon, turns up for the interview, James has fallen asleep!
James finds that long hours and rough conditions can make a veterinary work a dog's life, but some dogs, like Mrs. Pumphrey's Tricki-Wu, have it so well that they can afford to spread the wealth.
Sigfried declares that the business is in shambles financially, and his solution is Miss Harbottle, a meticulous secretary who rules the cash box with an iron hand. Amid a relentless succession of new faces - many gruff, some eccentric - James meets the lovely Helen Alderson.
Siegfried has a major victory, and his brother Tristan has to deal with pigs in more ways than one. James discovers he has a rival for Helen's affections.
The practice in Darrowby goes from strength to strength - unlike James's private life. Tristan decides to remedy matters and arranges a double blind date.
The veterinary practice goes from strength to strength, but James fears he has wrecked his chances with Helen after a disastrous first date. Tristan decides that a blind date is all James needs to hone his courtship skills.
James' temper is fraying fast -- what with two car accidents in the space of a week, an inauspicious meeting with Helen's family and his rival still lurking around Helen like a "big glossy spider".
The Dalby family fortunes dwindle even more until, almost by accident, James stumbles across the reason for the herd's illness.
Some farmers like to do their own vetting, but James discovers that sometimes the vet can cure the farmer.
Richard Carmody, a superior student, accompanies James on his rounds to learn, but it becomes clear that there is very little that he doesn't know.
What can a country vet do when a herd is struck by a disease for which there is no cure - especially when a man's life savings are at risk?
James returns to Angus Grier and, to his shame and Grier's pleasure, is coerced into giving the wrong treatment. Grier's triumph is short-lived as James discovers his guilty secret.
Siegfried discovers that a gift given in good faith can deal out death. James discovers that dealing out death can accidentally be the gift to life.
A bull becomes strangely ill, so James performs a brand new operation. Three sick cats prove a difficult case, and all three vets have a go, with surprising results.
Lambing time in the Yorkshire Dales is tough, and disturbing scenes take place on Benson's land when his flock of sheep is badly worried by a stray dog.
James discovers that all sorts of men can become vets and that Ewan, whilst ostensibly unsuitable, is a practitioner of the highest quality.
A scrap merchant who ill-treats his horses does not treat the vets much better. Siegfried manages to find the right charge for the problem.
An outbreak of louping ill on the grouse moors is traced, but Murray's help in clearing the land cannot be counted upon.
The practise begins to use new tablets, but their cost leads Siegfried to decide to limit their use. James and Helen adopt a cat.
Mrs Pumphrey calls James out urgently to treat Cedric, a boxer she has bought to keep Tricki Woo company. Unfortunately, Cedric is ruining her social life.
Roddy Travers, an itinerant workman, comes to Skeldale with his dog for an emergency operation, and deeply impresses James with his way of life.
James battles through snowy dales to save a litter of piglets and Tristan hopes Siegfried will give him a job.
With Helen still bedridden, James struggles manfully with both chores and children as Siegfried and Tristan look on idly.
James receives a cry for help from the isolated Bramley family who last came to town in 1929.
With Siegfried in London, Tristan is left with the worst patients.
Siegfried and James are left to Calum's cooking while their wives visit London. James meets Basil Courtenay, a rather upper class cow hand.
James renews his acquaintance with an old farmer called Mr Potts, whose unfortunate demise coincides with that of King George VI.
Calum has an article published in the Veterinary Record, much to James's delight, but Siegfried finds it galling. He takes Calum to meet Mrs Bond and her cats.
James castrates Lord Hulton's pigs and wins the pools, but Siegfried wins the day with Mr Hopps who has a digestive problem.
Tristan returns from Ireland to become the butt of a practical joke while Siegfried finds him a housekeeper. James runs foul of Biggins in time-honoured fashion.
Tristan accidently injects a farmer with a vaccine intended for his cows - and the farmer becomes convinced this prevents him from starting a family.
Granville Bennett comes to stay and the Skeldale practice has to perform an emergency operation on his dog. Tristan meets Jane Mercer for the first time.
James and Siegfried become personally as well as professionally involved when a herd of shorthorn cattle contracts Johne's disease.
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The Darrowby Show is usually an enjoyable occasion, except when James takes on the job of duty vet and Tristan falls for a buxom barmaid.
The contrast between the daughters of wealthy Tavener and the lowly Alton is sharply pointed for James, as is the difference between a talking and a non-talking budgie.
Mr Wilkinson's colt defeats both James' and Tristan's attempts at treatment. For Siegfried, however, the mammoth task is completed by use of a little guile and wisdom.
Farmer Ogilvie's bull refuses to have anything to do with his cows. Meanwhile, Tristan is put into a tricky situation.
Nellie Dimmock's dog provides James with another opportunity to glimpse the generosity of Bennett. But at the local cricket match, James must face the demon bowler.
James discovers a couple whose marriage is being held together by the most slender of threats, a dying dog, while Tristan is visited by a girl from his past.
A pig delays James from his appointment at Darrowby Youth Club where he is to make a speech, but he would rather face a savage pig than face his fear of public speaking.
Tristan proves he is a gentleman, but when James delivers a calf and is offered an incredible breakfast, it puts his love of good food severely to the test.
James has to keep his nerve during a difficult calving.
Tricki Woo has been overfed yet again, and is nursed back to health by Helen. The gift of a hamper is welcome at any time, but especially at Christmas.
Wesley Binks is the bane of Darrowby with petty thieving, but when his dog contracts distemper he turns over a new leaf and resolves to work hard to pay for treatment.
James and Helen decide to celebrate their anniversary, Tristan wants to take his new girlfriend out and Siegfried wishes to date Mrs Egerton - all on the same evening.
The vets' evening plans come surprisingly unstuck when Miss Westerman's dog Hamish wanders off while coming round from an operation.
James and Siegfried take a privileged look at progress, while Tristan, to his dismay, becomes regarded by Darrowby clients as the best vet in the business.
The outbreak of war seems far away when Siegfried discovers a local outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease at Mr Duggleby's.
As the dog track vet in Hensfield, James upsets the greyhound owners by his conscientiousness and discovers that too much professionalism can be a dangerous thing.
The difficulties of being a vet are multiplied when there is an outbreak of poisoning in the district. Siegfried takes it upon himself to find the poisoner and stop the slaughter.
A visit to Lord Hulton's place provides James with a surprise glimpse of how the other half lives, while a routine task leads to a shattering event.
It's bad enough when a dog loses its sight, but the vets have the difficult job of breaking the news to its owner.
Siegfried, James and Tristan all cope characteristically with the final threat to the harmony of Skeldale House.
Helen is finally up and about - only to face the morning after the chaos of Tristan's party the night before.
The Herriots prepare to move to Rowangarth and there's another emergency with Granville Bennett.
Calum welcomes the new arrivals - one that bites and one that fits Siegfried's cooking and cleaning requirements.
Siegfried is saddened by the death of a young bull terrier, half of an inseparable pair of dogs.
Siegfried is determined to make the errant farmers pay their bills.
Siegfried gives a friend's offspring some experience in the surgery. Calum resents this until he sees the young student.
James wears his shorts to a visit and is challenged to a race, while champion sheepdog Jock delights in chasing cars.
Siegfried buys a television set, and James has to deal with a man who has cancer.
James encounters Oliver and Roland Strong - rabbit breeder and prize cabbage grower respectively - who haven't spoken to each other for half a century.
Alfred, the local confectioner's beloved cat, falls ill and James cannot find the cause. Meanwhile, sheep farmer Braithwaite sells his farm to an eager but inexperienced couple.
Lady Hulton's sick cat propels Siegfried into updating the practice to cater for such refined clients.
A triple birthday is marred by tragedy, and James and Siegfried face the law when the Black Horse stretches its opening hours.
Siegfried befriends Colin when one of his goldfish dies, and takes him on his rounds. James is in the team for the local cricket match but Siegfried hits a six.
James and Siegfried are dismayed when Roddy Travers appears to be stealing instruments from the practice and his dog is accused of sheep killing.
James has to perform a delicate operation when Siegfried, proud of his new management system, mislays his diary.
Siegfried is perplexed when the usually caring Mrs Clarke snubs her recent neighbour. Meanwhile, James diagnoses prostrate trouble and gives Tricki Woo a female hormone.
Tristan's old college friend comes to stay, but his visit has to be kept a secret from Siegfried. When a lady brings her tortoise into the surgery, Tristan and his friend compete.
James Herriot treats a dog that wags its tail when it is angry and a princess is crowned on Coronation Day.
James rescues a client from imminent arrest, while Siegfried's old pal Stewie helps with an emergency operation.
Mrs Pettinger's cat goes missing, while even after helping to 'ring the bull', Rosie still wants to be a vet.
Siegfried finds out who shot Jacob Pearson's dog and decides to resolve the situation by dealing with the culprit himself.
James is not pleased when, under Mrs Pumphrey's relentless pressure, Siegfried accepts that Tricki Woo should stay at Skeldale.
Mrs Pumphrey's great-niece Angela comes to stay, and Tristan starts to take an unprecedented interest in Tricki-Woo's diet.
"Our Gracie" is treated for a mild skin disorder, and the partners attend a wedding.