If you grew up in Scotland in the 80s or 90s, chances are you’ve heard a story or two about Hercules — the wrestling grizzly bear who drank Irn-Bru, appeared in a Bond film, and once escaped into the wilds of Benbecula for 24 days. For writer Fergus Dunnet, this larger-than-life bear became the unlikely inspiration for a new story developed as part of Visible Fictions’ Working Title project.
What Is Working Title?
Launched in 2021, Working Title is a Visible Fictions initiative that offers artists and creatives the space, time, and support to be bold — to dream big, experiment freely, and explore new ideas for young audiences.
Through tailored mentoring, creative collaboration, and practical resources, Working Title enables early-stage projects to grow in a supportive environment. Some ideas go on to further development with us or with new partners. All of them begin with a question: what story do you need time to tell?
Why Hercules?
Fergus explains:
“When I was four I saw Hercules the grizzly bear wrestling a man in front of my local butchers. Sometimes when my parents went to the pub, Hercules would be there, standing at the bar drinking a pint. Honestly. […] I’m not exactly sure what the story of Hercules says about Scotland, animal rights, entertainment, generational shifts in opinion, wild animals or being wild – but I’m really excited to explore it.”
The true story of Hercules is both surreal and strangely moving. A full-grown grizzly, raised in Scotland by human “parents,” Hercules lived like a celebrity — eating cooked meals at the table, appearing at fun days and public events, and briefly becoming an international media sensation after disappearing during filming in the Hebrides.
Hercules development phase. | Fergus and the bear, photo by Eoin Carey.
Developing the Idea
With support from Working Title, Fergus explored narrative structure, character development, and artistic collaboration.
“Working Title gave me the chance to develop story, narrative and character in collaboration with other artists. The dedicated support made for a rich and exciting period of learning. Since then, the project has secured development funding from Creative Scotland and the Touring Fund for Autumn 2025.”
In 2023, Fergus shared early ideas with P1, P3 and P5 pupils at Langside Primary School — whose brilliant imaginations helped shape the next stage of the bear’s journey.
Hercules development session at Langside Primary.
What’s Next?
Hercules the Bear is heading on tour in Autumn 2025!
After previewing at The Gaiety Theatre, Ayr, and premiering to sold-out audiences at Carinish Village Hall, North Uist in 2024 — with fantastically positive responses — the show is now gearing up for a national tour.
The full-scale theatre production blends physical comedy, puppetry, and a whole lot of heart to tell the wild, funny and touching true story of a grizzly bear raised by a Scottish couple in the 1980s.
And in a brilliant twist, the show will be touring to places Hercules himself visited — from Highland towns to village halls — retracing the paw prints of a local legend and sharing his remarkable story with the communities that remember him.
We were proud to support the early development of this idea through Working Title, and we can’t wait to follow the new adventures of Hercules the Bear.
