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Structure
Interesting Questions, Facts and Information
- There are a total of 15 general entries.
Special Topics
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 Interesting Questions, Facts, and Information
 Oor Wullie
The Stoorie. In rare poetic mood, "Oor Wullie" was once seen posing on a footbridge over the Stoorie, reciting "Oh. ancient bridge o'er River Stoorie ... ye'd be voted tops by ony jury". In Scottish vernacular, brae means slope, neep means turnip, and stane means stone. Stoorie has several meanings, including dusty or dirty.
Their names have never been revealed.. Wullie's parents have always been known simply as Ma and Pa. Interestingly parents of "The Broons", the companion comic strip to "Oor Wullie", were called Maw and Paw Broon, always spelt with a 'w'. Even when they've been met or spoken of by other characters, they were only referred to as Wullie's Pa or Wullie's Ma. An example of this was when both Pa and Wullie are racing home to be first to scrape out Ma's stovie pot, P.C. Murdoch saw Pa and said "Jings! Wullie's Pa's surely in an awfy hurry!", (Sunday Post, 12 November 1961).
A mouse called Jeemy.. In one hilarious sketch, Jeemy went missing and Wullie let his imagination roam free over what sort of life Jeemy might be leading. He imagined Jeemy joining a circus, but frightening the elephants, and then thought maybe Jeemy could have fallen in with a gang of animals who raided shops to steal cheese. He eventually reported Jeemy 'moose-napped' to P.C. Murdoch, but later remembered that Jeemy was hidden inside his shirt!
| "Oor Wullie" had an uncle whose name was revealed in several early sketches, and this has given rise to speculation on Wullie's surname. What was the full name of this rarely seen relative? | "Oor Wullie" - Scotland's Favourite Boy
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Wattie Russell. Wattie Russell was a wartime private in one of the Scottish regiments, and occasionally visited Wullie's family. It was never revealed whether Wattie was related on Wullie's father's or mother's side of the family, so Wullie's surname may have been Russell. Uncle Wattie, spelt Watty on his kitbag, was always greeted with affection by Wullie's mother, which could indicate he was her brother. In one amusing sketch, Wullie donned Scottish dress, including a kilt, and sneaked into the camp where Uncle Wattie was billeted. Wattie tried to smuggle Wullie out, but was seen by the colonel who rewarded Wullie, for testing the camp's vigilance, by giving him a lift home in his chauffer driven staff car.
Constable Murdoch. Constable Murdoch, usually referred to as P.C. Murdoch, and occasionally called Joe by friends and fellow officers, is a regular in the "Oor Wullie" comic strips. Wullie was often in trouble with him, but still managed to stay on good terms. In one sketch, Wullie and his friends, Bob and Soapy, dammed a small stream creating a large pool. Off duty P.C. Murdoch then went fishing in the pool and invited Wullie to share his catch. According to an article in The Scotsman, dated 27 February 2006, P.C. Murdoch was based on a real policeman called Sandy Marnoch who served in the Fife Police Force.
Sitting on an upturned bucket.. "Oor Wullie" without his bucket and dungarees would not be the same, and both have featured since he first appeared in 1936. Occasionally he's had padding or cushions on the bucket, such as when he got his bottom smacked for damaging the instruments of a marching band. This was only his second appearance, (Sunday Post, 15 March, 1936), and laid the pattern for his mischievous antics for many years after. In another amusing sketch, Wullie is caught out by P.C. Murdoch, and grounded by his parents for a week. The final frame, instead of showing Wullie seated on his bucket, showed just the bucket with a large card against it which read "On this spot "Oor Wullie" wis put under hoose arrest an no aloud oot for a hale week".
dungarees. Wullie's dungarees, along with his bucket, have been a feature of almost every "Oor Wullie" comic strip since its inception, though occasionally he's been depicted reluctantly wearing his best clothes or even a kilt. In one amusing sketch he was twice drenched by passing cars speeding through a large puddle. "Look at me - I'm drookit" he exclaimed. When he arrived home, his mother made him remove his wet clothing and put on a dressing gown, which he was still wearing when he took up his usual position seated on his bucket.
1936. "Oor Wullie" first appeared in the comic section of the Sunday Post newspaper on 8 March, 1936, and was still a regular feature over seventy years later. The first "Oor Wullie" annual, the 1940 edition, was published in October, 1940. Early editions of the "Oor Wullie" and its companion "The Broons" annuals have become highly sought after by collecters, and have sold for thousands of pounds.
Auchenshoogle. For many years there was speculation about which town was the location for "Oor Wullie" and his escapades, some sources claiming it was Glasgow, and others claiming Dundee. Only in the 1990s, some sixty years after the creation of "Oor Wullie" was the town's name revealed as Auchenshoogle, an entirely fictional place. In one sketch the town's Provost reveals a memorial plaque dedicated to a former noble resident. The plaque reads "On this spot, the Duke of Auchenshoogle challenged the Duke of Muchty to a duel. May 1730", (Oor Wullie annual, 2006).
our William. Although known mainly by his shortened name, Wullie was sometimes called William, especially by his schoolteachers and some of the girls in his class. In one sketch he left his schoolbag at home, so his teacher said "No books William? You'll just have to share with Primrose". His friends were very amused at this, and started calling him Wilhemina!
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