Dougie the Brave - The Adventures of a Fearless Haggis

By Robin Wickens

Dougie the Haggis is a charming and adventurous character from Scottish folklore and children's literature. He's a traditional Scottish haggis. However, Dougie isn't your average haggis. He's spirited, brave, and always ready for a new escapade in the beautiful Scottish Highlands. Dougie's stories are filled with delightful journeys, unexpected friendships, and a healthy dose of Scottish charm. Here are some of the themes you'll find in his adventures: Dougie loves venturing  through the stunning landscapes of Scotland. He might climb majestic mountains, visit ancient castles, or explore mysterious lochs. Dougie might stumble across Nessie, the Loch Ness Monster, playful fairies, or even a friendly giant or two. He's always willing to lend a helping hand to those in need and makes friends wherever he goes. His stories often feature traditional Scottish music, Highland Games, and of course, the delicious flavors of Scotland.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Rob's Books
• Release date: Apr 8, 2024
• ISBN: 9798224826131

Robin Wickens

Here at Rob's Books, we are committed to spreading the joy of story, colouring and puzzling books, making it an enjoyable and accessible activity for all. We envision a world where creativity is a celebrated and integral part of everyday life.

Book preview

1:  Dougie the Haggis and the Highland Adventure

In the heart of the Scottish Highlands, amidst rolling green hills and deep, mysterious lochs, lived Dougie the Haggis. Dougie wasn't just any haggis; he was a haggis with a heart full of adventure and legs sturdy enough to trek the rugged Scottish terrain. With a spirit as vibrant as the tartans of Scotland, Dougie embarked on journeys that would make any creature envious.

One crisp morning, as the mist still clung to the peaks of the Munros, Dougie set out from his cozy burrow under a thistle bush. Today, he decided, he would find the legendary castle said to have been hidden for centuries in the mists of Loch Foggybottom. The castle was rumoured to be filled with ancient treasures and guarded by a benevolent giant who loved haggis—but only those brave enough to share stories of their adventures.

Dougie's journey began with a hop and a skip across the heathery moors, where he greeted his friends, the red deer, with a cheerful Good mornin'! As he ventured further, the landscape transformed, and Dougie found himself climbing steeper hills, each step bringing him closer to the mysterious loch.

As the sun reached its zenith, Dougie stumbled upon a clearing where the air was filled with the enchanting sound of bagpipes. It was a gathering of fairies, delicate and mischievous, dancing around a circle of standing stones. The fairies, upon seeing Dougie, invited him to join their dance. With a little jig and a lot of laughter, Dougie spent the afternoon swirling among the fairies, who shared stories of ancient magic and hidden treasures. In return, Dougie regaled them with tales of his own exploits and dreams of finding the lost castle.

The fairies, touched by Dougie's adventurous spirit, bestowed upon him a gift—a thistle brooch enchanted to point the way to the heart's true desire. With a grateful heart and a spring in his step, Dougie continued his quest, now with the brooch leading the way.

As shadows lengthened and the sky painted itself in hues of orange and purple, Dougie arrived at the shores of Loch Foggybottom. The water was calm, reflecting the twilight sky, and in the distance, a faint outline of a castle emerged through the mist. It was more magnificent than Dougie had ever imagined, with towering spires and ancient stones that whispered tales of old.

Dougie, guided by the thistle brooch, found a hidden path that led him to the castle gates. There, he was greeted by Angus, the friendly giant, whose laughter boomed like thunder and whose heart was as big as his frame. Angus welcomed Dougie with open arms and a feast fit for a king—filled with the finest Scottish delicacies, from neeps and tatties to a special vegetarian haggis made just for Dougie.

Over the feast, Dougie shared his adventures with Angus, who listened with rapt attention and a warm smile. In return, Angus showed Dougie the treasures of the castle, each with its own story and magic. As the night deepened, they spoke of the beauty of Scotland, the courage of adventurers, and the bonds of friendship that form along the journey.

When dawn broke, casting a golden glow over Loch Foggybottom, it was time for Dougie to return home. Angus gifted Dougie a small, enchanted stone from the castle, promising that it would protect him on all his future adventures.

2: Dougie the Haggis and the Great Kilt Caper

In the heart of the Scottish Highlands, where the rivers sing and the wind tickles the heather, lived Dougie the Haggis, a wee ball of fur with legs so short, you'd wonder if they were there at all. Dougie was known far and wide, not just for being a particularly round haggis but for his knack for finding himself in the silliest of predicaments.

One blustery afternoon, Dougie had a grand idea. I'll compete in the Highland Games! he declared with a puff of his tiny chest. There was just one little problem: haggises, especially those as round and wee as Dougie, weren't exactly built for tossing cabers or throwing hammers. But Dougie wasn't one to let details dampen his spirits.

First on his list was the kilt. Every proper competitor needs a kilt, Dougie reasoned. Off he waddled to find himself the perfect tartan. Now, kilts weren't exactly made for haggises, and after several humorous attempts involving towels, curtains, and a rather unfortunate incident with a picnic blanket, Dougie fashioned himself a kilt from an old sock. It was a sight to behold, stretched and striped, with Dougie beaming beneath it.

The day of the Highland Games arrived, and Dougie, in his sock-kilt, was the talk of the town. Have ye seen the haggis in a kilt? spectators whispered, chuckling. Dougie didn't mind; he was here to compete!

His first event was the caber toss. The caber, a massive wooden pole, was taller than five Dougie's stacked atop one another. With determination, Dougie approached, sized up the caber, and with a heave that sent his kilt fluttering, he... barely nudged it. The caber didn't budge, but Dougie somersaulted backward, landing with a soft oof amidst peals of laughter from the crowd.

Undeterred, Dougie moved on to the hammer throw. He spun, gathering speed, a blur of fur and sock-kilt, and released! The hammer soared, not forward, but straight up, prompting everyone to duck as it came down, right next to a startled Dougie, who was now inspecting a new divot in the ground as if he meant to do just that.

As the day wore on, Dougie's antics became the highlight of the Games. He wobbled in the sack race (having mistaken a potato sack for the starting line), danced a jig that had everyone clapping along, and in the tug-of-war, he pulled with such gusto that when the opposing team let go as a prank, he catapulted into a nearby hay bale, emerging with straw in his kilt and a grin on his face.

As the sun dipped low, painting the Highlands in hues of gold and purple, the games came to a close. Dougie didn't take home any medals, but he won something far greater: the hearts of everyone there. He proved that it's not the size of the haggis in the fight, but the size of the fight in the haggis—and, perhaps, the hilarity of their kilt.

That evening, as tales of Dougie's adventures spread like wildfire, laughter echoed through the glens and valleys. Dougie, tired but thrilled, waddled home under the twinkling stars, dreaming of his next great caper.

3: Dougie the Haggis and the Windy Bagpipe Blunder

After the Highland Games fiasco, Dougie the Haggis became something of a local celebrity in the Scottish Highlands. His spirited attempts at the games, particularly the sight of him in his sock-kilt, were talked about in every glen and croft. But Dougie wasn’t one to rest on his laurels—or in his case, his tartan. No, he was already plotting his next great adventure.

This time, Dougie had set his sights on mastering the bagpipes. How hard can it be? he thought, with the naivety of someone who had never before encountered the complexity of Scotland’s most famous instrument.

Dougie acquired a set of bagpipes from a bemused neighbour who couldn't quite understand why a haggis would want such a thing. The pipes were nearly twice his size, but Dougie was undeterred. He was going to play them at the upcoming village fair, and he was going to be magnificent.

The first attempt to play the bagpipes was... less than successful. Dougie squeezed the bag with all his might, producing a sound so mournful and wailing that the local dogs started howling in sympathy—or perhaps in distress. Undeterred, Dougie practiced day and night, much to the dismay of his fellow Highland residents.

The day of the village fair arrived, and Dougie, decked out once again in his trusty sock-kilt, took to the stage with his bagpipes. The crowd, having heard of Dougie’s new pursuit, was buzzing with anticipation and not a small amount of amusement.

With a