Angus Macvicar

Publications

Adult Fiction:

The Painted Doll Affair, The Golden Venus Affair, Duel in Glenfinnan, Maniac, Night on the Killer Reef, The Canisbay Conspiracy , Murder at the Open,The Grey Shepherds, The Hammers of Fingal, The Killings on Kersivay, The Dancing Horse, Escort to Adventure, Fugitives Road, Greybreek, Death on the Machar, The Crouching Spy, Strangers from the Sea, Eleven for Danger, The Singing Spider, Crimes Masquerader, The Crooked Finger, Flowering Death, The Cavern, The Ten Green Brothers, The Temple Falls, TheScreaming Gull, Death by the Mistletoe, The Purple Rock

Children’s Fiction:

Super Nova and the Frozen Man, Super nova and the Rogue Satellite,  Life-boat – Green to White, The Cave of  the Hammers,The Kersivay Kraken, The High Cliffs of Kersivay, Space Agent and the Ancient Peril, Space Agent and the Isles of Fire, Space Agent from the Lost Planet, Kilpatrick, Special Reporter, Satellite 7, The Atom Chasers in Tibet, The Atom Chasers,  Dinny Smith Comes Home, Peril on the Lost Planet Red Fire on the Lost Planet, Secret of the Lost Planet, Return to the Lost Planet, The test Pilot, Tiger Mountain,  The Grey Pilot, Stubby Sees it Through, King Abbie’s Adventures, Faraway Island,  The Black Wherry, The Crococdile Men.

Non Fiction: Plays:

Ministers Monday, Stranger at Christmas, Final Proof, Mercy Flight, Storm ride, Under Suspicion.

Autobiographical:

Heather in My Ears, Salt in My Porridge, Rescue Call, Lets Visit Scotland, Gremlins in my Garden,

Obituary

RELATIVES and friends of well-known author and broadcaster Angus  MacVicar filled Southend Parish Church to capacity on Monday when they gathered for a  thanksgiving service to celebrate his life.

Ninety-three-year-old Angus passed away peacefully in Campbeltown Hospital last Wednesday (October 31). Reverend Martin Forrest of Southend Parish Church told the gathering that Angus had lived in the village for almost all of his life. ‘Southend was his life,’ he said, adding that he loved the church and he loved the people.  

The congregation heard that Angus had lived a long life and had lived it well making an impact on a great many lives, Angus’ brother the Rev Kenneth MacVicar spoke of Angus being an athlete as a young man. He said: ‘Angus kept his faith throughout his life – he ran a straight race.’ And although he said that Angus had faced many difficulties throughout his life, he had overcome them all by having the faith. Kenneth spoke of their happy childhood at the village manse where their father was minister and of how Angus went on to study at Glasgow University before joining The Campbeltown Courier,

His first novel ‘The Purple rock’ was published and Angus became a best-selling novelist. Just before the war, however, he was struck down with a life threatening illness. But Angus being Angus, he won that battle before heading off to the war where he fought all over the world with the Royal Highland Fusiliers ‘and never even got a scratch’. The war did bring heartache, however, Angus endured the terrible experience of travelling through Sicily to meet his brother Archie only to find that Archie had died of wounds the previous day.

 Angus’ career was badly affected  by the war when his  publishing house was bombed in the blitz so upon his return to civilian life Angus had to more or less start his writing career again. He became a freelance script-writer for the  broadcasting companies and introduced an entire generation to science fiction, including such classics as ‘The Lost Planet’. He also scripted for radio ‘The Glens of Glendale’ which was one of the most popular series of its time, and he presented ‘Songs of Praise’.

Angus continued writing and published more than 70 books over the years. He was still producing a copy about the Dunaverty Players for The Courier up until a few weeks before his death.

As well as drama Angus loved sport, his work with the RNLI, his church where he was an elder, and, of course, golf. Angus, who is also survived by another brother John, was a romantic at heart and had a wonderful sense of humour. He was also the longest serving member of Dunaverty Golf Club, having joined in 1925. Kenneth MacVicar said: ‘I remember him once suggesting that his ashes might be scattered on the 10th green with its remarkable view. However, this was not because of some naïve notion that he might have a view of the North Channel through eternity, but that he might interfere with the putts of his erstwhile opponents -even after he was gone

Kenneth reminded the congregation that Angus was a happy contented individual who thought himself fortunate in his parents, fortunate beyond measure in his marriage to the beloved Jean, fortunate in his beloved son Jock, fortunate that he could work from home in Southend, fortunate in his friends and fortunate in his church. ‘He was amazed at how fortunate he had been,’ said Kenneth. There were a lot of things which made Angus so special his caring nature, his hospitality, his wonderful rapport with children and young people, his general loving kindness to us all and his beliefs. Kenneth added ‘But there was more- there was a charisma about him  and a touch of magic.’ Kenn

Kenneth went on to thank the community of Southend for the support and succour they gave to Angus after Jean’s death. He reminded them that it was a day for rejoicing in Angus’ life.’He ran the great race, he finished his course and he kept the faith. Now perpetual light shines on him. And for us there should be a great thanksgiving that we had the privilege and pleasure of knowing him’ Concluded Kenneth