Well-loved Highlander cartoon Angus Og to make Belladrum debut

Created for the Daily Record and printed from 1960-1989, cartoonist Ewen Bain’s Highlander character ‘Angus Og’ is set to make his debut at Belladrum at the end of the month.

All 158 of Angus Og’s adventures were based on the fabled ‘Isle of Drambeg’ in the ‘Utter Hebrides’. Parts of the original collection have been collated into a series of workshops which is set to tour across Scotland this year.

Katharine Macfarlane, High Life Highland’s Archives Project Officer, said: “I am delighted by the opportunity to work with the Angus Og collection, and fondly remember the cartoons appearing in the paper.

“The cartoons offer an engaging insight into Scottish social history, while also retaining glints of modern issues despite some drawings being over 60 years old. Many of the stories reflect on topical national issues that still affect our communities today: land ownership, tourism, language, and more.

Katharine continued: “Some readers may remember that characters from the Angus Og appeared at ‘Drambeag Festival’ hosted on the croft in a comic strip released in 1976. Attendees of the fictional music festival are so intoxicated by the scent of peatsmoke that they call for bagpipes and Gaelic songs instead of guitars.

“This time, Angus Og and friends will really make their appearance at a music festival, because the next date on the tour will be an appearance on Verb Garden stage at Belladrum – so keep your eyes peeled on Thursday 27th July from 8pm onwards!”

High Life Highland’s Highland Archive Service are currently working to digitise and conserve the collection of Angus Og cartoons after receiving funding from the Scottish Government.

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