"Oor Wullie" - Scotland's Favourite Boy Quiz

Answer: 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!

Answer: True

The inspiration for "Oor Wullie", came from Ron Low, the eight year old son of Sunday Post editor, R.D. Low. Young Ron once called into his dad's office, and was sketched by Dudley Watkins, the comic strip artist of "Oor Wullie". Ron Low went on to become both a surgeon and a squadron leader in the Royal Canadian Air Force.

He was also a keen sportsman playing golf and rugby, and actively participating in climbing, fell walking, and fly fishing. For more details on Ron Low's life and career, together with some fascinating photographs, visit http://www.thatsbraw.co.uk and click on "Oor Wullie".

Answer: 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).

Answer: 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.

Answer: 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.

Answer: 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".

Answer: Lang Len

Bob and Soapy were the same age and size as Wullie, and featured in more of his escapades than did Wee Eck. The pals didn't always get on well, and sometimes played tricks or practical jokes at one another's expense. In just one episode, Wullie tripped Bob and Soapy with a line stretched across a path, then pushed a cartload of potatoes onto them. All three then got into a fight during which both Bob and Soapy received black eyes. Wullie apologised afterwards and gave them sixpence each as compensation. Bob, by the way, was sometimes referred to as Boab, and Soapy's surname was sometimes spelt Souter.

Answer: 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.

Answer: False

In some of the earliest "Oor Wullie" comic strips, Wullie had a sibling, known simply as 'the bairn'. In the Sunday Post, dated 13 March 1938, Wullie's dad wanted to take him to a boxing match, but his mother said "he's no gaein' till he's fed the bairn', an' run tae the chemist's". Wullie was then seen dashing to the chemist's while bottle feeding the bairn, and he did eventually get to see the boxing match! Shortly after this, the bairn simply disappeared from the "Oor Wullie" sketches without any editorial explanation.

Answer: 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.

Answer: All three have appeared in "Oor Wullie"

In fact all three Broons have appeared in the same sketch. Wullie had won a coconut at the fair, and was trying to break it open by rolling it down the stairs of the Broons apartment. Unfortunately Paw, Hen, and Joe were about to ascend the stairs, and were tripped by the coconut. "Awfy sorry Mr. Broon" said Wullie, when he was ticked off by Paw Broon.

The coconut didn't break, and at the end of the sketch, Wullie was seated on his bucket saying "I've jist got ane thing tae say tae you ... NUTS", (Oor Wullie annual 2006).

Answer: 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!

Answer: Only Pa's name is revealed, which is Tam.

Wullie's parents, with only one exception, are known simply as Ma and Pa. This exception was in a 1960's strip, when PC Murdoch while chatting with Pa, called him Tam. 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 almost invariably 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).

Answer: 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.

Answer: Oor Wullie

The survey was carried out on behalf of Scottish haggis makers Hall's, as part of Tartan Day celebrations, see http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/3601143.stm for details. "Oor Wullie came top, Sean Connery was third, Ewan McGregor ninth, and Rob Roy came tenth. Tartan Day is now celebrated throughout the world, and since 1998 has been formally celebrated in the USA, in recognition of the achievements made by Scottish Americans.