The best-selling story of a second world war canine hero, celebrated in an Angus sculpture, has entered a new chapter with the release of a Norwegian translation of the book in its homeland.
St Bernard Bamse came to Scotland with Norwegian naval forces to continue the war against Nazi Germany from Dundee and Montrose.
The dog left a massive impression on residents of the town and, in 2006, a statue was put up at Montrose riverfront.
Bamse’s exploits were also celebrated in a book written by Angus Whitson and retired Montrose GP Andrew Orr.
After the publication proved a hit on this side of the North Sea, Mr Orr said he was delighted to see the new translation carry the story to a new audience.
“Bamse’s story naturally belongs as much to Norway as to Scotland, and it is not a moment too soon for this translation,” he added. “It will help spread the legend of this truly remarkable animal, and should help to bring more visitors to Montrose and Dundee.
“The Norwegian publishers have produced a really beautiful volume, which will surely become a collector’s piece in Norway and beyond.”
The Norwegian edition Skipshunden Bamse, En Norsk Krigshelt (Ship’s Dog Bamse, A Norwegian War Hero) is published by the Oslo company Tun Forlag and is already attracting favourable attention in the press.
Tun Forlag editor Anne Kari Kvamme told The Courier, “I have great hopes for the book since the Scottish edition was so popular.”