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Angus Òg goes to Glasgow

A black-and-white comic strip with two panels. The panel shows two characters in conversation, with one saying: "Oh dearie me, there's the Loch oovi away with our Angus on his way to Glasgow and I'm frightened to think what might happen to him there!" The other replies: "Tut tut mother—have you thought what might happen to Glasgow?"
Stories from the archives - Skye and Lochalsh Archive Centre
30th Apr 2024
Last update 24th Feb 2026
By Catherine MacPhee

Archivist, Skye and Lochalsh Archive Centre

Read more by Catherine MacPhee

Angus Og had a very successful day at the University of Glasgow with a special symposium held on Wednesday 29th May 2024, 10:00 – 16:30  delivered in partnership with the University of Glasgow Stirling Maxwell Centre.

A black-and-white comic strip with two panels. The first panel shows two characters in conversation, with one saying: "Oh dearie me, there's the Loch oovi away with our Angus on his way to Glasgow and I'm frightened to think what might happen to him there!" The other replies: "Tut tut mother—have you thought what might happen to Glasgow?" The second panel depicts a cityscape with rooftops, chimneys, and church spires, accompanied by multiple speech bubbles with phrases such as: "Well I neffer at all at all!" "Ochone ochone!" "Ho ro mo nighean donn bhoidheach!" "Cia mar a tha thu!" "Och chust so whateffer!"
Angus Og and Drambeg Rovers 1968

This exciting hybrid event showcased the original Angus Og cartoons and explored some of the key themes addressed by its creator Ewen Bain including social history and political commentary, cultural identity and language alongside a dive into the world of cartoon creation, visual narratives, and humour as a social barometer and cultural intervention.

The event took place in person in University of Glasgow Archives & Special Collections, Hillhead Street, Glasgow, G12 8QQ and online via Zoom. 

The day featured papers from some of Scotland’s leading playwrights, artists, academics and cartoon enthusiasts alongside opportunities to view original cartoons and archive materials. Perfect for all those who remember Angus Og fondly and those with an interest in cartoons, comics and Scottish culture this event opened new channels of communication and created new networks between those with a passion for Scottish cultural identity.

Event programme poster titled “Angus Og Goes to Glasgow!” with a cartoon illustration of a character pointing at the title. The programme lists a schedule of activities and talks, including times and speakers. Sessions run from 09:30 to 16:30 and include topics such as archives, comics, and cultural heritage. The schedule features names like Robert Maclean, Rhona Finn, Katharine Macfarlane, Professor Laurence Grove, and others. Logos of High Life Highland, University of Glasgow, and Scottish Government appear at the bottom. The poster has a red border and black-and-white text with bold headings for each time slot.
Event Programme
A black-and-white comic strip with two panels. The first panel shows two characters talking in front of a sign that reads “The Drambeg Peat Reek Co.” One character asks, “And how is your business going, Angus?” The other replies, “Fine man! It’s going like a bomb!” The second panel depicts a cityscape with rooftops and chimneys, with a large “BOOM!” sound effect in the center. Two characters inside a building react to the noise, saying: “Help Willie – whit wiz that bang! Is it the bookie’s shop away again?” The other responds: “Sounded mair like thon tchelichter’s hoose up the sterr.” The comic uses Scottish dialect and humor, with exaggerated speech bubbles and expressive illustrations.
Angus Og and the Peat Reek, 1965

Our speakers brought a wealth of experience and different interests to the day but what united them all was a love of cartoons and humour!

A blue graphic featuring the heading “Professor Laurence Grove” in bold, stylized white and black text. Below, a white speech bubble contains information about Laurence Grove: “Laurence Grove (aka Billy) is Professor of French and Text/Image Studies and Director of the Stirling Maxwell Centre at the University of Glasgow. His research focuses on historical text/image forms, and specifically bande dessinée. He co-edits European Comic Art and has authored / co-authored thirteen books, four exhibitions and over sixty chapters.” There is a small photo in the top right corner, and the overall design has a comic-style theme with thick black outlines.
A bright yellow graphic with a black border featuring the heading “Katharine Macfarlane” in bold, stylized white and black text. Below, a large white speech bubble contains text: "Katharine Macfarlane was the Archives Project Officer (Angus Og) at Skye and Lochalsh Archive Centre although she spends most her time having adventures in the Isle of Drambeg." In the top right corner, there is a small photo showing shelves filled with books and a puppet with a red face and patterned clothing positioned next to a person. The overall design has a comic-style theme with bold outlines.
A red graphic with a black border featuring the heading “Rosie Al-Mulla” in bold, stylized white and black text. Below, a large white speech bubble contains text: "Rosie is the Assistant Archivist at the University of Stirling and Archivist for the Scottish Political Archive which is housed in the University’s Division of History, Heritage and Politics. She is Reviews and Obituaries Editor for Archives & Records, the journal of the Archives and Records Association UK & Ireland and currently co-chairs the Scottish Universities Special Collections and Archives Group." In the top right corner, there is a small photo showing a person with long, wavy hair against a background of bookshelves. The overall design has a comic-style theme with bold outlines.
A blue graphic with a black border featuring the heading “Catherine MacPhee” in bold, stylized white and black text. Below, a large white speech bubble contains text: "Catherine MacPhee is archivist at the Skye and Lochalsh Archive Centre, she has a deep connection to the land and people and feels a responsibility to preserve and record tradition. She is passionate about helping communities discover ways to make impactful change by reconnecting them with their culture and heritage." In the top right corner, there is a small photo showing bright red curly hair and a necklace with an octopus pendant, with bookshelves in the background. The overall design has a comic-style theme with bold outlines.
A bright yellow graphic with a black border featuring the heading “Susan Taylor” in bold, stylized white and black text. Below, a large white speech bubble contains text: "Susan was brought up in the Highlands (Tain, Easter Ross) – and has worked in libraries for 28 years. Her current role at the Mitchell Library is as part of a team managing collections and delivering services relating to rare books and manuscripts, and local and family history; answering enquiries, supporting research and facilitating learning events." In the top right corner, there is a small photo showing a person seated in a library with tall shelves of books
A red graphic with a black border featuring the heading “Paul Bristow” in bold, stylized white and black text. Below, a large white speech bubble contains text: "Paul Bristow writes children’s fiction, folk tales, ghost stories and comics, sometimes all at once! His first children's book, The Superpower Project was shortlisted for the Floris Books Kelpies prize 2014 and also the Montegrappe / Scholastic Prize for New Children’s Writing. Paul also runs Magic Torch Comics CIC, which works with schools and community groups to tell stories using comics. They were one of The Big Issue's Top 100 Changemakers for 2020." In the top right corner, there is a small photo showing a person seated against a colorful comic-themed wall covered with panels and illustrations. The overall design has a comic-style theme with bold outlines.
A blue graphic with a black border featuring the heading “Dr Rhiannon McGlade” in bold, stylized white and black text. Below, a large white speech bubble contains text: "Rhiannon is Lecturer in Hispanic Studies at the University of Strathclyde having previously worked at the Universities of Cambridge, Birmingham, Sheffield, UCL and Queen Mary University of London. Humour has always fascinated her since it's at once, universal and highly relatable, while also typically relying on very specialised frames of reference." In the top right corner, there is a small photo showing a person standing indoors against a wall decorated with artwork or posters, wearing a dark sleeveless top and trousers. The overall design has a comic-style theme with bold outlines.
A bright yellow graphic with a black border featuring the heading “Jon Place” in bold, stylized white and black text. Below, a large white speech bubble contains text: "Jon is a researcher and visual artist currently working as a Senior Lecturer and Course Leader at Buckingham New University. His work explores narrative design and identity as embedded in mark-making, and most forms of visual storytelling." In the top right corner, there is an abstract artwork composed of overlapping shapes in shades of green, blue, yellow, and black. The overall design has a comic-style theme with bold outlines.
A red graphic with a black border featuring the heading “Allan Bissett” in bold, stylized white and black text. On the left side, there is a photo of a person wearing a light grey jacket standing against a textured stone wall. On the right, a large white speech bubble contains text: "Alan Bissett is a novelist, playwright and performer from Falkirk. He is the author of four novels – the latter two of which were shortlisted for Scottish Arts Council Fiction of the Year Awards. He has written numerous plays, won a Fringe First and has twice been shortlisted for Best New Play at the Critics' Awards for Theatre in Scotland (CATS). He is a former Lecturer in Creative Writing at the Universities of Glasgow and Leeds, was awarded an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Stirling in 2016 for Outstanding Contribution to Scottish Culture." The overall design has a comic-style theme with bold outlines.

A full collection of original Angus Og cartoons is held in Skye and Lochalsh Archive Centre following the donation of an exciting archive of Ewen Bain’s drawings and other documents by his daughter Rhona Flin.

Angus Og was created by cartoonist Ewen Bain and his adventures were based on the fabled Isle of Drambeg in the Utter Hebrides. Angus Og began in the Bulletin and was published in the Daily Record from 1960 through to 1989. There were 158 Angus Og adventures and the collection of original strips has been donated to the Skye and Lochalsh Archive Centre by Ewen’s daughter Rhona Flin.

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 The funding is part of the National Island Plan which was awarded to all Scottish local authority areas with island populations and seeks to support the development of cultural and historic resources; encouraging Island residents to engage with, and participate in, arts and culture. The funding will be used to support, develop and promote the creative talents of Islanders, and ensure that the culture of Scotland’s islands has a wide audience both nationally and abroad.

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A person with curly hair wearing a layered outfit, including a textured brown cardigan, a red turtleneck, and a black pinafore-style garment. A patterned scarf with a light background and small red shapes is draped around the neck. A small decorative pin shaped like a butterfly is attached to the cardigan. The background consists of a green corrugated metal wall.

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