# Dougal — Huntingtower character guide > Dougal in Huntingtower by John Buchan. **Role:** major **Also known as:** IV Dougal **First appearance:** 0006-iv-dougal ## Snapshot A red-headed boy from the Gorbals who commands a troop of ragged scouts and conducts his small war with the gravity of a general. ## Who they are Dougal is the leader of the Gorbals Die-Hards, a band of Glasgow street boys who have come to Galloway for a holiday and found instead a cause worth fighting for. He speaks in military jargon, keeps a Chief of Staff, and treats the crisis at Huntingtower as a campaign to be won by reconnaissance and nerve. His loyalty to Dickson and his resourcefulness in the field make him indispensable to the defence of the House. ## Relationships ### [Dickson McCunn](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/huntingtower_se/characters/dickson_mccunn) _friendship_ Dickson and Dougal share a loyal and trusting friendship, with Dougal often acting as a resourceful ally. ### [John Heritage](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/huntingtower_se/characters/john_heritage) _friendship_ Dougal and John are comrades, working together effectively in their shared missions. ### [Saskia](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/huntingtower_se/characters/saskia) _friendship_ Dougal and Saskia are friendly allies, with Dougal helping to protect and assist her. ### [Dickson McCunn](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/huntingtower_se/characters/dickson_mccunn) _friendship_ Dickson and Dougal share a loyal and trusting friendship, with Dougal often acting as a resourceful ally. ### [Dickson McCunn](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/huntingtower_se/characters/dickson_mccunn) _friendship_ Dickson and Dougal share a loyal and trusting friendship, with Dougal often acting as a resourceful ally. ### [John Heritage](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/huntingtower_se/characters/john_heritage) _friendship_ Dougal and John are comrades, working together effectively in their shared missions. ### [John Heritage](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/huntingtower_se/characters/john_heritage) _friendship_ Dougal and John are comrades, working together effectively in their shared missions. ### [Saskia](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/huntingtower_se/characters/saskia) _friendship_ Dougal and Saskia are friendly allies, with Dougal helping to protect and assist her. ### [Saskia](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/huntingtower_se/characters/saskia) _friendship_ Dougal and Saskia are friendly allies, with Dougal helping to protect and assist her. ## In the story ### [Huntingtower](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/huntingtower_se/chapters/huntingtower) The leader of the Gorbals Die-Hards, a group of boys who assist Dickson in the defense of Huntingtower. ### [I: How a Retired Provision Merchant Felt the Impulse of Spring](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/huntingtower_se/chapters/i-how-a-retired-provision-merchant-felt-the-impulse-of-spring) Red-haired leader of the 'Gorbals Die-Hards' boys, mentioned as having been seen by Mr. McCunn. ### [IV: Dougal](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/huntingtower_se/chapters/iv-dougal) Arrives at the kitchen, complaining about the holiday; reveals he saw Dickson and Heritage near the Big House. ### [V: Of the Princess in the Tower](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/huntingtower_se/chapters/v-of-the-princess-in-the-tower) Guides Dickson and Heritage back to Dalquharter, insists on separating to avoid detection, and points out the weather signs. ### [VII: Sundry Doings in the Mirk](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/huntingtower_se/chapters/vii-sundry-doings-in-the-mirk) Reports a battle with tinklers and updates Dickson on Heritage's entry into the House. ### [VIII: How a Middle-Aged Crusader Accepted a Challenge](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/huntingtower_se/chapters/viii-how-a-middle-aged-crusader-accepted-a-challenge) Reports on the successful transport of the box and the dispersal of the camp, then guides Dickson on the route to the house. ### [IX: The First Battle of the Cruives](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/huntingtower_se/chapters/ix-the-first-battle-of-the-cruives) Leads the Die-Hards, suggests moving to the old keep, and uses military jargon. ### [X: Deals with an Escape and a Journey](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/huntingtower_se/chapters/x-deals-with-an-escape-and-a-journey) Attends Heritage, participates in the war council, and is tasked with keeping watch and deploying the Die-Hards. ### [XI: Gravity Out of Bed](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/huntingtower_se/chapters/xi-gravity-out-of-bed) Mentioned by Dickson as a red-haired ruffian with a 'grand head for battles' who will assist Sir Archie. ### [XIII: The Coming of the Danish Brig](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/huntingtower_se/chapters/xiii-the-coming-of-the-danish-brig) Crawls near the Tower, observes the watchers, and steals Léon's life-preserver, providing a cheering episode for Heritage. ### [XIV: The Second Battle of the Cruives](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/huntingtower_se/chapters/xiv-the-second-battle-of-the-cruives) Acts as Commander-in-Chief, devises the plan to fortify the house and force a battle, shows strategic acumen and leadership. ### [XVI: In Which a Princess Leaves a Dark Tower and a Provision Merchant Returns to His Family](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/huntingtower_se/chapters/xvi-in-which-a-princess-leaves-a-dark-tower-and-a-provision-merchant-returns-to-his-family) Approaches Dickson with one arm in a sling; Dickson tells him he will take care of the Die-Hards. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/huntingtower_se/characters/dougal - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/huntingtower_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/huntingtower_se/characters