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Skye and Lochalsh Archive Centre

Angus Og: out of the archives!

The Angus Og: Out of the Archives Exhibition features specially selected cartoons alongside information about the life and work of the cartoon’s creator, Ewen Bain.

Promotional banner featuring bold red text that reads: “ANGUS OG” at the top and “OUT OF THE ARCHIVES!” at the bottom. In the center, there is a black-and-white cartoon illustration of Angus Og, a character with a long pointed nose and simple facial features, peeking through a jagged hole in the background as if breaking out. At the top left corner is the High Life Highland logo. The design emphasizes the revival or exhibition of the Angus Og comic strip, which humorously depicted life in the Scottish Highlands.

This exhibition has been designed to spark reflection and discussion about Island/Highland life and futures whilst embodying the fun and creative approach taken by Ewen Bain in the development of the fictional island of Drambeg.

Click on the images below to explore the exhibition.

Coloured photograph of an older man with gray hair and glasses wearing a light coloured woollen jumper sitting at a desk. A brown medium sized dog is siting on the mans lap. A desk lamp rests on the desk and comic strips are on the desk. The image shows artist Ewen Bain at work with is dog Barney.

Ewen Bain biography

Biography of artist Ewen Bain

A black‑and‑white cartoon drawing of a person sitting at a drafting table, leaning on one hand while looking at blank sheets of paper. A large question mark hovers above their head, suggesting confusion or uncertainty. Art supplies, including pencils and a cup, sit on the desk, and a lamp hangs overhead.

The making of Angus Og

Learn how Ewen Bain developed the Angus Og stories

A black-and-white cartoon showing two people talking. One person excitedly holds up a newspaper and says, “Did you see it, Lachie—did you see it! My story is on the front page of the Gazette!” The other person replies, “I see the editor hasn’t put your name on it though!” The newspaper in the first person’s hand has a small illustration and text, but details are not clear.

Angus Og and the news

Ewen Bain used the topical satirical cartoon to explore contemporary affairs

A black-and-white cartoon strip with three panels. In the first panel, a character angrily says, “Me, play with the Drambeg Pipe Band! I wouldn’t play with that banana-fingered bunch if you paid me a pension!” Another character responds, “But, Mairileen dear heart—it would be doing me a great obligement—for it is myself that is their manager now!” In the second panel, the first character sarcastically replies, “Ho yes, you’re a dab hand at the managing—you managed to get out of marrying me all right!” In the third panel, two characters stand playing bagpipes while musical notes float above them, and another character says, “Now clear off—myself and Bella McSporran is going to run through ‘The Burning Sands of Egypt’!” A fourth character watches and comments, “Glory be—what lovely piping!” The cartoon humorously portrays tension about joining a local pipe band, with exaggerated dialogue and a comedic twist about managing and playing music.

Angus Og and the ceilidh

Explore how Angus celebrates Gaelic music and culture

A black-and-white cartoon image showing a hand holding a handwritten sign. The sign reads: “GAELIC LESSONS! NO CIAMARATHA—NO FEE! SUCCESS GUARANTEED Apply A. OG.” The text is bold and uneven, giving a humorous, informal tone. The word “CIAMARATHA” appears to be a playful or exaggerated Gaelic term, suggesting that the lessons are easy and stress-free. The cartoon humor lies in the promise of guaranteed success and the casual, almost cheeky advertisement style.

Angus Og and the Gaelic

Learn how Gaelic flows through the adventures of Angus Og

A black-and-white cartoon strip with three panels. In the first panel, two characters stand outside a thatched cottage. One says, “I certainly will not tell the gentleman to clear off—he can take a picture of our house if he likes!” Another replies, “But dash me—you could have charged him a pound!” In the second panel, two characters inside the cottage comment, “She’s far too soft with them tourists!” and “I’ll chust go and see if he wants to buy a drink of water!” In the third panel, a man wearing a hat and checked shirt stands outside the cottage speaking politely: “No thank you ma’am—but there is something I’d like to buy from you!” The cartoon humorously portrays locals debating how to deal with tourists, contrasting hospitality with missed opportunities to make money.

Angus Og and the towrists

Learn about Angus' schemes to benefit financially from the towrists

Pop-up exhibition

A related, in-person exhibition which includes plenty of opportunities for people to get creative in the maker- spaces and to share their own experiences and to laugh along with the adventures of Angus Og, has toured Scotland and is available for pop-up exhibitions at suitable venues. If you would like to host the Angus Og: Out of the Archives Exhibition please email us. 

Archives Project Officer, Katharine Macfarlane, whose post is supported by the Scottish Government National Island Plan fund said “We are so excited about sharing this collection with the wider public! Whether you remember the Angus Og cartoons from the newspaper or are discovering the collection for the first time we are sure that you’ll have a fun time exploring the cartoons and creative opportunities!”

A person is standing in front of shelves filled with books, holding a colorful ceramic mug in one hand and a puppet in the other. The puppet has a bright red face, a long pointed nose, black hair, and is dressed in a brown jacket with small bottles tucked into its pockets. The mug features black-and-white comic-style illustrations and text. The setting appears to be a library or archive, and the objects suggest a connection to the Angus Og comic strip by Ewen Bain, which humorously depicted life in the Scottish Highlands.
Archives Project Officer, Katharine Macfarlane, with the Angus Og puppet made by Anne Lorne Gillies for Gaelic TV Programe BZZZ!

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