Book Week Scotland is a week-long celebration of books and reading that takes place every November supported by The Scottish Book Trust.
This year, Book Week Scotland runs from Monday 13th November until Sunday 19th November inclusive, and will be themed around ‘Adventure’ – which is perfect for Angus Og, who has several fun events and adventures planned for the week in Skye.
To start, the ‘Angus Og: Out of the Archives Exhibition’ will be officially launching on Friday 17th November from 7pm to 9pm at the Skye and Lochalsh Archives.
Catherine MacPhee, High Life Highland’s Archivist, said:
“We are so delighted to be jumping on board with this year’s Book Week Scotland theme of ‘adventures’ during which we can hopefully take members of the public on various Angus Og adventures.
“The launch event for the Angus Og ‘Out of the Archives’ exhibition is set to be a special evening that will offer attendees an opportunity to view the new exhibition, reminisce about the cartoons, and hear a few words from special guests.
“Then, to kickstart the weekend, Angus Og will be having a ‘Big Book Week Cartoon Ceilidh’ drop-in on Saturday 18th November from 11am to 2pm at the Portree Library, where attendees can expect to dabble in onomatopoeia, Angus Og storytelling, and to create their own cartoon characters amidst other arts and crafts.
“For this event, we will be joined by Paul Bristow of Magic Torch Comics, who will be hosting mini workshops every hour throughout the event starting at 11am, where you can find out more about all the elements of a comic – and also create your own to take away!”
Paul Bristow writes children’s fiction, folk tales, ghost stories, and comics.
Paul also runs Magic Torch Comics, 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 and you can read lots of the Magic Torch comics online for free on their website: https://www.magictorchcomics.co.uk/
Katharine Macfarlane, who has been supported to develop the Angus Og Cartoon Ceilidh through a Scottish Book Trust Emerging Producers Award said:
“This ‘cartoon ceilidh’ is suitable for all ages, and perfect for anyone who loves cartoons, stories, drawing, crafting or just needing to unwind and have a laugh – and who better to host it than Scotland’s favourite cartoon adventurer, Angus Og?!”
Angus Og was created by Skye-inspired cartoonist Ewen Bain, and his adventures were based in the fabled Isle of Drambeg in the Utter Hebrides.
Angus Og 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.
You can find out more at www.highlifehighland.com/archives-service or by emailing skyeandlochalsh.archives@highlifehighland.com
