Nostalgia: When Hercules the Bear came to Fife

Hercules the Bear was a favourite everywhere he went with trainer and owner, Andy Robins, and his wife Maggie.

They were regular visitors to the Kingdom, and their appearances at Letham, Glen in Leven always drew huge crowds.

These pictures date from the late 1980s when they were the stars of the summer holiday roadshows in Fife!

Bought from a wildlife park, Hercules was a star on the wrestling circuit and also on TV and film sets.

The story of his disappearance while on Benbecula in the Outer Hebrides sparked worldwide headlines – he was captured after 24 days.

The bear, known as ‘Big softie’ lived for 25 years before passing away in 2001.

A statue to Hercules was unveiled at Langass Woods, Isle of North Uist, in 2013.