Cat tales: What they say about the celebrity stray

THE book Tobermory Cat will tell the tales of an “independent” ginger living on the Isle of Mull, according to the publishers.

Hugh Andrew, managing director of Edinburgh-based Birlinn, said author and illustrator Debi Gliori would portray a charismatic cat which is known throughout the town of Tobermory.

He said: “I have seen the real-life Tobermory Cat and he is a ginger tom with a huge character.

“He is incredibly curious and whatever goes on in the town he is there.

“That is what the book will be about.

“He will appear on the top of cars and get driven around town, and he is known for sleeping in the middle of the road.”

Mr Andrew compared the real-life Tobermory Cat to other national tourist attractions, saying: “It is like saying I want to do a book on Edinburgh Castle and trademarking Edinburgh Castle so no-one else can do it.”

The Facebook page

Mull artist Angus Stewart’s Tobermory Cat has its birthday on 1 April and weighs 12lb.

The Facebook creation is a ginger cartoon cat with white whiskers – a fictional feline based on the real-life antics of a ginger stray in the town.

There are regular fictional posts of what the cat gets up to in the town, with pictures of the real-life cat at various locations, including on top of a fish van and outside a bank.

Tobermory Cat is the second celebrity animal creation, following Elvis the Tobermory Otter, which went on to feature in a film made by Mr Stewart. As well as an artistic creation, he claims it is also a commercial venture with a range of products due to come out.

Mr Stewart states on Facebook: “Please do not create or pass off commercial goods as ‘Tobermory Cat’.”