The Family-Ness is a
British cartoon series produced in 1983. It was first broadcast on
BBC One from 5 October 1984 to 29 March 1985, and it was created by
Peter Maddocks of
Maddocks Cartoon Productions. Maddocks later went on to produce
Penny Crayon and
Jimbo and the Jet Set in a similar style. Family-Ness was about the adventures of a family of
Loch Ness Monsters and the MacTout family, particularly siblings Elspeth and Angus. The 'Nessies' could be called from the loch by the two children by means of their "thistle whistles". The series was followed with a large collection of merchandising including annuals, story books, character models and even a record. The single "You'll Never Find a Nessie in the Zoo" was written by
Roger and
Gavin Greenaway, but never made it into the Top 40.