Para Handy

Para Handy (real name Peter MacFarlane) is a fictional character created by Neil Munro in a series of stories published in the Glasgow Evening News.

Para Handy is the ne'er-do-well skipper of the Vital Spark, a Clyde puffer (steamboat) of the sort that delivered goods from Glasgow to the Western Isles in the early 20th century. The stories generally focus on his pride in his ship, and his outrage at the suggestion diesel-engined vessels are in any way superior. He had at least one crossover with Munro's other popular character, Erchie MacPherson of Erchie, My Droll Friend.

In addition to the stories, Para Handy has appeared in three television adaptions of Munro's stories:

• Para Handy, Master Mariner starring Duncan MacRae as Para Handy
• The Vital Spark starring Roddy McMillan
• Tales of Para Handy starring Gregor Fisher