Is Mungo the Monk hiding behind the drawbridge? What is Sir Alexander the Knight doing up on the roof? Where has Ungus the Pict disappeared to?

These are just some of the questions you may hear while walking around Historic Scotland attractions throughout October as visitors take part in the Cartoon Caper! There are 10 cartoon characters from history hidden around over 70 sites, and children are being invited to turn detective to seek them out!

The Cartoon Caper is part of the Historic Scotland Kids Go Free campaign, which allows free admission to children under 16yrs when accompanied by a paying adult. Now in its third year, the campaign’s aim is to encourage young people to take an interest and gain inspiration from their nation’s heritage.

Historic Scotland commissioned Scottish artist Alice Druitt to specially create the ten cartoon characters covering as many periods of history as possible.

After completing the trail, budding cartoon detectives will win a special gift. Details will then be entered into a prize draw to win a VIP trip to Edinburgh Castle, art session at Doodles Ceramic workshop, signed originals of the historic cartoon characters artwork by Alice Druitt and lots more art goodies.

Nick Finnigan, Events and Filming Manager at Historic Scotland said: ‘We are looking forward to starting the Cartoon Caper at our sites come 1st October. As I speak, staff at Historic Scotland attractions around the country are assigning special secret locations for our cartoon characters and we hope families will enjoy hunting them out. This, together with free admission for children is a great recipe for a perfect day out this October.’

• For details of Historic Scotland attractions taking part in the ‘Kids Go Free’ campaign, visit www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/kidsgofree or text ‘KIDSFREE’ to 84118, or call 0131 668 8926. Children must be under 16yrs and accompanied by a full paying adult (maximum of 6 children per paying adult).
  
  
• As well as the Cartoon Caper, Edinburgh Castle will be hosting drop-in cartoon workshops. From 10.30am-4.00pm on the weekends of 6th, 7th and 20th, 21st October 2007, join Holyrood Park Artist-in-Residence Barbara Middleton; and on 13th and 14th October 2007 (as part of The Big Draw) join Alice Druitt herself and discover how to draw your very own cartoons and enter your artwork into a competition to win a year’s membership with Historic Scotland.
  
  
• Other events during the month include Knight School at Stirling Castle from 6th to 14th October between 11.00am and 4.00pm each day, where visitors can try their hand at quintain, drill with the militia and sword play. Further activities at Historic Scotland attractions include living history characters at Urquhart Castle every Sunday during October, Big Draw events at Fort George and Holyrood Park (13th/14th October) and the Scottish Storytelling Festival at various sites across the country between 26th October and 4th November 2007. Please visit Historic Scotland Events for more information.
  
  
• The artist commissioned for the light-hearted artwork is 26 year old Alice Druitt who set up her own company, Gingerpaws, selling cards showing famous Edinburgh scenes as an undergraduate. While still at university she was commissioned by Historic Scotland to create the artwork for the popular Cartoon Castles range. Its success prompted the latest commission.