Back in March last year, when we made a trip over to Mull, we stopped in Tobermory for a bite to eat and parked outside the Co-op supermarket which is about half-way down the promenade.
Colin and Leonie went in search of lunch while I was distracted for a good few minutes by a friendly but extremely laid-back ginger cat who was ‘chillaxing’ in the sunshine, right in the middle of the pavement. Tobermory isn’t a traffic hotspot, which is just as well because pedestrians were having to make last-minute detours into the road to avoid treading on him.
I enjoyed a brief chat with this tiger-striped hazard, but he seemed to be attracting quite a bit of attention from other passers-by, so I moved on to let him soak up the limelight. I only realised a few weeks later that I had, in fact, had my first encounter with an A-list celebrity: I had been nose-to-whisker with none other than Tobermory Cat.
Tobermory Cat has a global fan club, with his furry paw in the door of all the exclusive film star hang-outs worldwide. (I’ve no idea how he gets there from Mull, with it being an island and everything, but no doubt his Sunseeker yacht was moored just out of sight.) Holidays with Richard Branson, a box at the Royal Opera House, Simon Cowell on speed dial… well, I’m not sure if he has any of these, but he definitely looks the part.
Last month I had the opportunity to find out more about Tobermory Cat’s spectacular rise to stardom, when I was given his new book, aptly entitled ‘Tobermory Cat: Famous For Being Famous’.
The front cover is adorned with a delightful photo of TC (am I being too familiar?) lapping up the sunshine on the bonnet of a yellow car, with a picturesque harbour in the background. It could be Cannes, or Monaco, or St Tropez. It is, in fact, Tobermory.
I was interested to read that no stone has been turned by Tobermory Cat’s adoring but apparently less-than-diligent publicity officers. The introduction explains:
“Despite the rather lazy, if not bone idle, efforts of our team of celebrity press agents, Tobermory Cat has become famous around the world.”
Most of us can only aspire to Tobermory Cat’s glittering lifestyle, but we are assured that he “remains in touch with his roots” and “lives the simple life of an island cat”. That really gladdens the heart.
Tobermory Cat has his own butler in the form of Angus Stewart, whom he has persuaded to document his daily meanderings in the form of words and pictures. The book is a gentle stroll through Tobermory Cat’s action-packed day, which consists of reclining on a surprising number of car bonnets and dozing the afternoon away on the harbour wall. Lounging is Tobermory Cat’s speciality; he makes it look like an art form.
A particularly useful section describes what you should do if an orange-coloured fluffball is ‘surfing’ on your car roof, a phenomenon which you may not discover until you’re half-way to Craignure. Don’t panic. Don’t gesture at other drivers. Rescue the cat (I think that’s the right order).
If this isn’t alarming enough, Tobermory Cat is shown sprawling carelessly in the middle of several roads, often with an attentive human about to pick him up and remove him from the flow of (potential) traffic. If this wasn’t Mull, where cars are less common than deer, I would be a little worried about his safety.
The benefits of super-stardom are, however, enjoyed to the full. Tobermory Cat appears to have assumed almost god-like status among the local fishmongers and chip shop owners. The local policeman is revealed as a devoted slave, one who regularly turns a blind eye to Tobermory Cat’s abandoned frolicking outside the local distillery. Falling out of nightclubs? Yes, sadly, it happens everywhere.
Open the book at random, and it’s impossible not to smile. But (trying to be serious for just a moment), this glossy publication is beautifully produced and photographed, with a fun design and just the right amount of well-written text that sets a tone somewhere between the deeply flattering and the lavishly worshipful (as a fellow cat owner, I suspect Tobermory Cat has Mr Stewart on a line and has only to reel him in!)
I did take the liberty of showing the book to Purdey, and she admitted to being ever so slightly jealous of Tobermory Cat’s departure-lounge existence, as well as the never-ending sunshine in that glorious little corner of Mull. Ah, well, the rest of us can only dream!
Tobermory Cat: Famous For Being Famous is written by Angus Stewart and is published by Tobermory Cat Publishing, The Breadalbane Street Studio, Tobermory, Isle of Mull PA75 6PE. It’s priced at £4.95 plus p&p.
For more information, and to order online, visit www.tobermorycat.co.uk.
Treat yourself to a copy – you owe it to yourself and your cat!
Thanks to Angus Stewart and Tobermory Cat for allowing me to publish photos of the book.
Well, there’s an island cat with a life of riley! How cute!! Wonderful post, put a smile on my face!
Thank you very much!
I envy his lifestyle too. What’s not to like??!!
What a wonderful review of an apparently splendid book! I’m not even a cat lover, but I would buy this book. I think Tobermory Cat has his priorites right and can teach us all a lesson in this age of long working hours and endless stress. If I could get away with lounging about on car roofs in the Tobermory sunshine I would certainly do it.
Thank you very much, Lorna! There’s a lot to be learned from the attitude and philosophies of Tobermory Cat. AND he’s living on Mull. He has it all!!
I’ve bought three (and given away two….)
Wow, that’s great news! You’ll love it, and so will your friends. Thanks for commenting!
Great review. Bought two books, one for us and one as a present. Heading to Mull again in May for a week in Tobermory and some celeb cat spotting
Thank you very much! I’m sure you’ll love the book. I hope you have a wonderful time on Mull, and May is a great time to go. You’re bound to recognise Tobermory Cat from the posse of patient fans all waiting for an autograph!
I have a new role model…what’s the rush? meow!
That’s so right! Tobermory Cat has a life lesson for us all!
Love Tobermory…a favorite port on a favorite island! This ginger fellow was not around when I was there–he was just a twinkle in some other cat’s eye then–but I’d love to make it back and meet this gentleman en route to Iona! Thanks for the great posts.
Thank you very much, Hank! Tobermory is a lovely place. I hope you make it back there, and that you’ll meet Tobermory Cat in person one day soon!
It’s a fabulous book about a fabulous cat, Iv’e bought 2 and given them both away. Will be buying more on my next visit to Tobermory. This book will put a big grin on anybodys face. My advice is buy one.
That’s great, Carrie! I couldn’t agree more. Thank you for your comment!
Loved reading this – it made me smile – a lot!!
Thank you very much! It made me smile to review it. Plus, I’m jealous of his endless sunshine!
Self-publishing a book: 25 things you need to know:
Number 21 / “Self-published books rarely get reviewed — for free anyway.”
http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-18438_7-10119891-82/self-publishing-a-book-25-things-you-need-to-know/
The CNET list suggests it is normal practice for a writer to offer a bribe for a review. I am new to writing and bribing but here goes: Jo, should you visit Tobermory a cup of tea and digestive biscuit awaits! Thanks very much.
Ooh thank you! I’d never heard of the bribing principle, but that sounds lovely!! Next time we’re over, I’ll call in to say hello. I hope that Tobermory Cat might honour us with his presence.
That is the thing – T.C. does whatever he wants so that is one thing I cannot offer but I could run to Hobnobs if pressed.
Sounds great to me!
Jazz is delighted to learn that ginger stylings are now globally recognised via the internet. He is pleased to report that the sun here in the past three weeks has been too hot to lounge in but he has found other accommodating spots!
I refuse to read out your review to Jazz however, as he may get ideas above what his menial servants here can provide.
Fantastic photos, book and review Jo. Thanks for the smiles:-))))
Excellent! Thank you, Lyn. I’m glad that you enjoyed the review, and it’s good to hear that Jazz is finding some cool places to chill. Sounds like you’re getting some much-needed sunshine at last! Hope it’s a good omen for us, too.
We’ve had over two weeks of hot, dry sunny weather. The drought broke last night and we have a cold southerly and rain today. Jazz is seeking a warm bed today. The weather men promise us more summer tomorrow.