It could be the end of the High Road for Mrs Mac, infamous gossip of Scottish Television’s long running soap, though her latest story will have them all listening carefully in Glendarroch, where tongues are sure to be wagging in the Ardnacraig Hotel.

Scottish Television announced yesterday that The High Road could be axed in its next annual review.

A decision to cancel the show, which has been running for 24 years, would rule out any ratings war with BBC Scotland which will launch its new "gritty urban" soap next May.

The news that High Road could face the chop came as Scottish Television boss Sandy Ross unveiled the station’s Statement on Programme Policy for 2001.

The policy, made in line with the recommendations of the government’s Communications White Paper, could radically overhaul the station’s programming output.

Mr Ross confirmed that there will be a review of High Road next year, and of STV’s entire programming portfolio.

He said: "Television trends change. High Road has been running for 24 years and sometimes you have to say it is time for a change.

"We have recently entered a new ten-year licence period and this offers us the opportunity to see what works, to decide what is out of date and what needs to be refreshed."

It is not the first time that High Road has faced disaster.

In 1993 it came under serious threat after it was dropped by the ITV Network with only three months’ notice. However, the then head of programming at Scottish, Eileen Gallagher, saved the series after staging a "Save Our Soap" rally in Glasgow’s George Square and drafting in new writers to spice up the storylines.

Originally titled Take The High Road, the soap hit television screens in 1977 and soon became the biggest drama made in Scotland.

By the early Nineties the soap had more than 30 actors and a substantial production crew working from studios at Cowcaddens and on location at Luss, on Loch Lomondside.

There is still a ray of hope for fans. A spokeswoman for Scottish Television added: "When a new licence is awarded we have to give some thought to the financial considerations and our whole portfolio of programmes to ensure that we are delivering.

"We will be reviewing High Road as we will be reviewing all our programmes. Nobody here is getting upset about this as the review does not definitely sound the death knell for High Road."

Should the soap be axed however, Mr Ross vows that Scottish viewers will not be left wanting. The new policy is geared towards providing more choice in the type of programmes it produces as all ITV companies move towards self regulation.

Scottish has firmly committed itself to strong news, current affairs and Gaelic programming, though under the new self-regulatory rules it can look to branch out into other genres.

New programmes for 2001 include Scotland Today Special, a monthly current affairs programme, Monday Night Live, an interactive sports discussion show hosted by Jim Delahunt, along with documentaries The Glory Game and This Scotland.

Mr Ross said: "The broadcasting landscape will change over the next few years, becoming increasingly competitive.

"Scottish Television believes that the regional ITV companies are well equipped to deal with this competition and Scottish Television will produce a schedule of programmes in 2001 which will continue our record of service to the region."

The Statement on Programme Policy also sets out Scottish and Grampian’s plans to cover the forthcoming general election.

Both will rely on the jointly produced Scottish 500 format where electors will debate key election issues with key political players in five one-hour programmes.

Scottish will also carry a series of interviews with the Scottish party leaders and both stations will play an integral role delivering results on election night.