Tribute after Hercules the bear's owner Andy Robin dies
- Published
Hercules was with Andy and Maggie Robin for more than 25 years
Andy Robin, the owner of Scotland's famous grizzly bear Hercules, has died aged 84.
Hercules gained international stardom after going missing for 24 days after escaping while filming a television commercial on Benbecula in 1980.
Former wrestling champion Mr Robin and his wife Maggie bought Hercules as a cub from Highland Wildlife Park in Kingussie for £50 in 1975.
Mrs Robin said her husband was "larger than life."
She said: "I always said he could fill any room on his own.
"It's been such an emotional time, but the stories people have been passing on about Andy are lovely."
The couple lived in Auchterarder, Perthshire.
Hercules was reunited with Andy Robin after the bear escaped on Benbecula in 1980
Mr Robin was inducted into Scotland's Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2016.
A regular on ITV's World of Sport, he won the British Commonwealth mid-heavyweight championship in 1964.
Shortly afterwards he appeared with wrestling bear Terrible Ted in Maple Leaf Gardens in Toronto.
Hercules joined Dunblane Primary School pupils at their 1980 Christmas party
Hercules died in 2001, aged 25.
The grizzly bear, who had a fondness for ice-cream, initially joined Mr Robin during his wrestling appearances.
His popularity increased after Mr Robin commissioned a documentary called Hercules the Wrestling Bear in 1980.
When Hercules escaped later that year on Benbecula while filming a toilet roll commercial, hundreds of volunteers joined in the search for the 9ft (2.74m) grizzly bear.
After more than three weeks, Hercules was spotted by a crofter, and the bear was tranquilised before being taken back to Mr Robin by helicopter.
Andy Robin joined in the major search operation to recapture Hercules
The worldwide media attention led to roles in chat shows, documentaries, and films including the 1983 James Bond movie Octopussy.
The grizzly bear, who at one point tipped the scales at 30 st (191 kg), was named "personality of the year" by the Scottish Tourist Board in the 1980s.
An injury in 1997 while filming a documentary ended Hercules' career, but he was nursed back to health by Mr and Mrs Robin.
Maggie Robin said Hercules was "Andy's pal and my pup"
After his death, Mrs Robin described Hercules as "Andy's pal and my pup."
She wrote: "We were the lucky ones. He touched us both and showed us his magic."
Hercules was buried at the Robins' home in Dollar but his remains were later moved to North Uist, closer to where he escaped.
A headstone was installed at the site in July 2015.
- Published23 July 2015
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