In 2026, The Broons and Oor Wullie Celebrate 90 Years as Scotland’s Happy Family and Favourite Son. Kate McAuliffe, D.C Thomson’s Heritage Brands Content Editor pays tribute to their iconic characters.

Oor Wullie Annual 2027
Published by DC Thomson

First published in The Sunday Post newspaper’s ‘Fun Section’ on the 8th of March, 1936, both The Broons and Oor Wullie’s comic adventures have entertained families for nine decades, earning them the title ‘Scotland’s Happy Family That Makes Every Family Happy’ and ‘Scotland’s Favourite Son’. Appearing in the weekly Sunday Post, regular gift books and annuals, each member of The Broons family and Oor Wullie is a Scottish icon, and, despite the changing times and landscape, they have remained unchanged, valuing good humour, family, community, and showcasing Scottish culture. 

The Broons embrace togetherness and gentle humour as it focuses on the day-to-day lives of a Scottish family. Headed by the hapless skinflint Paw Broon and frequently black-affronted matriarch Maw Broon, they host their eight children in the iconic tenement flat — 10 Glebe Street. Each character is distinct, and audiences cannot help but relate to each of them — glamourous Maggie, sporty Joe, helpless romantic Daphne, chancer Hen, swot Horace, rambunctious duo The Twins and mini-Maw The Bairn. Of course, the family is never complete without child-at-heart and co-conspirator Granpaw Broon joining in on the fun.

Meanwhile, Oor Wullie follows the adventures of a quintessential wee boy who is often up to no good but has his heart in the right place. Oor Wullie is cheeky, curious, conniving and kind. He is also undoubtedly Scottish, from his language to his love of the outdoors. Ever young, even at ninety, flicking through his vast history, readers see him skipping school, racing with his cartie, climbing trees and playing with conkers — all things we remember from our own childhoods. 

Now, 2026 has the joint privilege of celebrating both the National Year of Reading and The Broons and Oor Wullie’s 90th anniversaries. And, with comedic comic capers from across nine decades, there’s a wealth of reading to be had from these Scottish staples.

Every year since 1940, The Broons and Oor Wullie’s weekly Sunday Post offerings have been collected in annuals, alternating titles each year. A rare exception to this was the period from 1943-44, during which time, paper rationing meant jigsaws were released instead. 2026’s offering hands over from The Broons to Oor Wullie, both featuring charming 90th-anniversary celebration cover artwork. 

Also on sale is Oor Wullie and The Broons: Under the Weather, a premium gift book that brings together a delightful collection of classic comic strips from both titles, with stories ranging from the 1930s to the present day. Scots have always relished a good blether about the weather — and with a climate as unpredictable as Scotland’s, there’s plenty to talk about. Packed with nostalgia, charm and laugh‑out‑loud moments, Oor Wullie & The Broons 2027 gift book is the perfect all‑weather companion — and a brilliant gift for fans old and new.

Instantly recognisable comic artwork from the gift book is also captured in the 2027 Broons and Oor Wullie calendar, with crisp illustrations from the legendary Dudley D Watkins, Ken Harrison and Mike Donaldson, showing the characters in hilarious weather-related mishaps, facing everything from blustery gales to soggy downpours and rare heatwaves with their trademark mischievous spirit. 

2026 also sees the launch of a brand-new children’s title, Oor Wullie’s ABCs in Scots. In its pages, readers of all ages are encouraged to join Oor Wullie for a braw adventure through the alphabet… in Scots! From A to Z, each page introduces a different Scots word or phrase, brought to life with a clear explanation and colourful, specially commissioned illustrations by Mike Donaldson. Along the way, Wullie and his pals — Bob, Soapy, Wee Eck, Primrose, Jada, Ollie and his faithful dug, Wee Harry — share the fun of language, friendship and a wee bit of mischief. This is a joyful introduction to Scots for children and a charming celebration of a much-loved Scottish icon which can be shared from generation to generation.  

Scots language is integral to The Broons and Oor Wullie and remains one of the reasons the comics have resonated so strongly. Their language remains one of the most recognisable aspects of their appeal, keeping alive an important part of Scotland’s heritage and cultural identity in a way that can be enjoyed and shared throughout the years. 

Image: Steve MacDougall/DC Thomson

With this in mind, to support the 90th anniversary of the titles, Oor Wullie and The Broons partnered with the National Library of Scotland to host pop-up displays at the National Library of Scotland in Edinburgh, their office in Glasgow, and the DC Thomson headquarters in Dundee throughout July, letting visitors from across Scotland reminisce, explore and understand the origins of Oor Wullie, The Broons and the significant impact they have made on Scotland’s cultural landscape. Featured at the events were rare annuals and original artwork from DC Thomson’s archive, including the very first strips drawn by Dudley D Watkins in 1936.

Image: Steve MacDougall/DC Thomson

And that’s not all! In their anniversary year, The Broons and Oor Wullie are also teaming up with national tourism organisation VisitScotland to boost domestic tourism and help people enjoy a braw day out in Scotland. Using a mix of print and digital advertising across The Sunday Post, Press and Journal and The Courier & Advertiser titles and websites, the campaign showcases Scotland through the lens of The Broons and Oor Wullie. From trips to the seaside and whisky tastings (for the grown-ups), to boat tours and overnight stays in your classic ‘but an’ ben’ holiday cottage, the characters highlight what a rare treat it can be to discover lesser-known areas and off-the-beaten-path experiences. 

But, while they may be celebrating a historic ninety years, The Broons and Oor Wullie are just as relevant today as they were in 1936. There’s a common misconception that the present comics are set in the 1950s or ’60s, dealing in shillings and listening to the football on the wireless, but it’s not the case. The ‘Auchenverse’ (the world of The Broons and Oor Wullie) has always been set in the time it is written. The characters were present through the Second World War, with Wullie dreaming of giving Hitler what for, but also when Star Wars was first released and when The Police were top of the charts. Both titles kept us smiling as they showed us the importance of social distancing and key workers during the Covid pandemic. The times may have changed, but The Broons and Oor Wullie remain a constant, and so do their timeless values of fun, friendship, family and togetherness. 

So, what’s next for The Broons and Oor Wullie? Whatever the future may hold, we can be sure that The Broons and Oor Wullie will always be a part of it in Scotland. Here’s to 90 more years of Scotland’s Happy Family That Makes Every Family Happy and Oor Wullie, Your Wullie, A’body’s Wullie! 

Oor Wullie Annual 2027 is published by DC Thomson, priced £11.99.