The Hamish

Nobody really knoes what the floppy tartan cloth object that Emily has brought is, except Bagpuss. He says it is a small soft hamish, a Highland beast that keeps its distance because it makes a terrible noise, like bagpipes being played bagpipes (it is bagpipes being played backwards). He tells a heartrending story of Tavish McTavish, who also made a terrible noise playing his bagpipes forwards, and his friendship with the Hamish.

Professor Yaffle denounces the explanation, pointing out that the story has not improved the object at all. He says it is a porcupine without any spikes. They sing a song to encourage it to grow spikes, but it doesn't. In the end they realise that it is a pin cushion, a porcupine pin cushion and stick pins into it.

Emily, Bagpuss, Professor Yaffle, Madeleine, Gabriel, Charlie Mouse, Jenny Mouse, Janey Mouse, Lizzie Mouse, Eddie Mouse, Willy Mouse