The Old Man of Lochnagar: All about King Charles’ 1980s children’s book that was adapted into a short film-Emily Bashforth-Entertainment – Metro

King Charles released The Old Man of Lochnagar in 1980 (Picture: PA)

The Old Man of Lochnagar is a children’s book by King Charles III, published in November 1980.

Then the Prince of Wales, Charles published the book in aid of The Prince’s Trust charity.

He decided to put the story on paper after telling it to his brothers, Princes Andrew and Edward, years earlier when they were young to entertain them.

The book was later adapted into a BBC short film, then a musical stage play.

In 1984, the King read the story (illustrated by Sir Hugh Casson) on the children’s programme Jackanory, also reading it in Welsh and Scottish Gaelic translations.

As the King’s Coronation approaches, what better time to revisit the much-loved story?

What is The Old Man of Lochnagar about? 

The then-Prince used to tell the adventure story to his brothers (Picture: Mike Forster/Daily Mail/REX/Shutterstock)

The story of The Old Man of Lochnagar tells the tale of a man who lives in a cave in the cliffs surrounding the corrie loch under the Lochnagar, a mountain that overlooks the royal estate at Balmoral in Scotland, which is where the Royal Family famously often spend their summer holidays.

The book itself is made up of six parts.

A real adventure story, the energetic, carefree Old Man embarks on a quest to save the Gorms (a clan of Scottish pixies) from the menacing Giant Gormless.

It follows an Old Man on his adventures as he encounters a wealth of eccentric characters (Picture: Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images)

His quest takes him under the sea, through the air, and into Gorm Grotto, meeting a whole host of eccentric characters along the way, including a grouse who repels visitors, underwater haggis who revolve while swimming (it’s fair to say Charles has quite the imagination!), ticklish eagles who live in the sky, and the fish from the lochs around Balmoral.

Following his travels to the surrounding countryside and interactions with peculiar characters, the story ends with the Old Man feeling ‘rather pleased’ to live in his little cave, as he ‘couldn’t think of anywhere more special to be than to be living at the foot of Lochnagar.’

The BBC short film

In 1993, the story was made into a BBC animated film (Picture: BBC Scotland)

First airing in April 1993, The Old Man of Lochnagar was made into an animation for the BBC, titled The Legend of Lochnagar.

Acting as narrator, Charles tells the story to a group of children who gather at his stately home, with late Harry Potter actor Robbie Coltrane voicing the Old Man.

Much like the original book, the 26-minute short film follows the jolly Scottish fellow with his bushy white beard and the miniature Gorms who live beneath the ground where they make, paint, and plant all the flowers of Scotland.

Robbie Coltrane voiced the Old Man (Picture: Reuters)

Sir Hugh Casson’s original watercolour illustrations were brought to life (Picture: BBC Scotland)

Produced by the Dave Edwards Studio, in Wales, the animated flick shows Sir Hugh’s original watercolour figures developed into cartoon characters.

The film was also sold on DVD, with profits benefitting the King’s charities.

The King’s connection to the story

The Old Man of Lochnagar focuses greatly on the environment and beauty of nature, with the King himself having been an environmental leader for decades.

He has worked with charities, businesses, and governments to promote sustainable ways of living, making his first speech about the irreversible effects of climate change in December 1968.

Back in the 1980s, the King began transforming Highgrove, his Gloucestershire estate, into an organic garden. 

King Charles has long been vocal about his love for the environment (Picture Chris Jackson/Getty Images)

Then, in October 2007, he set up the Prince’s Rainforests Project in an attempt to slow tropical deforestation and combat climate change.

In recent years, the King has made personal changes to reduce his own carbon footprint, detailing some swaps he’s made at COP26, such as installing solar panels at Clarence House and having his Aston Martin converted to run on bioethanol made from cheese and wine. 

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Heavily involved in COP26, the United Nations Climate Change Conference, in 2021 he issued a call to action for world leaders.

‘I can only urge you, as the world’s decision-makers, to find practical ways of overcoming differences so we can all get down to work, together, to rescue this precious planet and save the threatened future of our young people,’ he said.

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