Marking Time

By Libra

Legend of Hercules the bear lives on

It's over 30 years since Hercules the international celebrity bear lived at Sheriffmuir Inn, a remote hostelry in the Ochil mountains.


While there this evening I asked about the bear and they produced this book from under the counter, which they keep on hand to show to customers.

Nikki Cook, age 24, daughter of the proprietors agreed to being photographed holding a copy of the bear's biography.

Hercules enjoyed the status of a rock star, a celebrity long before the word was coined.

He lived in an enclosure adjoining the pub and he was a big attraction, with visitors.

His owner, wrestler Andy Robins, developed a lucrative film and tv career for him.
He hit the international headlines though when he escaped while taking part in a film on the remote island of Benbecula off the west coast of Scotland.

Three weeks later a crofter spotted him swimming in the sea where was captured and returned to his owner.

In a glittering career, Hercules appeared in a string of movies, including Bond flick Octopussy and a number of Disney films.
Hercules also starred in his own movie called A Day In The Life Of Hercules The Bear in 1979.
Two years later, the Scottish Tourist Board made him Scottish Personality of the Year.
In adverts, he promoted everything from tissues to vodka.
He graced the cover of Time magazine and met former prime minister Margaret Thatcher and ex-US president Ronald Reagan.

His film career cam to an abrupt halt though when he fell during a shoot and slipped a disc . He retired from film work and eventually died of old age.

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