Considering how small the country is, it may surprise you just how many famous Scottish people we are proud to call our own. Scotland has produced a huge number of famous faces, from historical figures, musical and film stars and some very talented sports stars, some which may surprise you. It just proves how much of an intelligent, innovative, brave and dedicated nation we really are! Here are some of our most well-known Scots.
William of Orange
Wallace is one of Scotland’s most revered heroes, made famous worldwide by the moving motion picture, Braveheart. William Wallace was a late-13th-century Scottish warrior; an outlaw turned hero. He was not born of noble blood which is probably what endeared him most to Scottish hearts. He led his army to battle and took victory over the English at Stirling Bridge in 1297. He was unfortunately executed as a traitor in London in 1305. Shortly after Wallace’s execution, Robert the Bruce was able to re-establish Scotland’s independence.
Alexander Fleming
Arguably one of the most important scientific discoveries in the world was made by one of our own. Born in Ayrshire in 1881, Alexander Fleming was a Scottish biologist, physician, microbiologist, and pharmacologist. He won the Nobel Peace Prize for Physiology & Medicine for his part in the discovery of Penicillin in 1928. His discovery started the antibiotic revolution, which sealed his lasting reputation in medical history. Penicillin is still widely used to treat many different types of infections caused by bacteria, such as ear, mouth and throat infections and STI’s.
Billy Connolly
Famous people from Scotland don’t come much funnier than the legendary Billy Connolly. Sir William Connolly CBE, to use his full title, is a Scottish stand-up comedian, musician, presenter, actor, charity advocate and artist, well-known for his zany appearance, colourful beard and hilarious attitude to life and its challenges. His stand-up has grown to iconic proportions, catapulting him to worldwide fame before his performance retirement in 2015 due to deteriorating health. We can still enjoy his dark sense of humour in new TV shows on BBC and cinema releases to be released this year.
Sean Connery
Arguably the very best Bond and the most well-known Scot of all, Sir Thomas Sean Connery was born in 1930 in Edinburgh. He formerly worked as a milkman, a factory hand and as a driver before getting his big break into acting. He went on to star in many movies including The Untouchables, The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade and of course 17 of the legendary James Bond Movies. He was also was voted “The Greatest Living Scot” and was knighted in July 2000.
Andy Murray
Sir Andrew Barron Murray OBE, better known in the media as Andy Murray is a professional tennis player born in Scotland. Andy represents Great Britain in his sporting activities, which include Grand Slam tournament three-time winner, two-time Olympic champion, Davis Cup champion, winner of the 2016 ATP World Tour Finals, and former world No. 1. He will reportedly be worth a staggering £130m when he retires after Wimbledon in 2020 due to a long-standing, restrictive hip injury.
If you’d like to learn more about any of the famous Scottish people mentioned, or the thousands more we could write about, the best way is to visit for yourself. Here you can experience where your favourite celebrity grew up, recorded music or performed to thousands of fans. For your ideal accommodation, book your stay in PREMIER SUITES serviced apartments in Glasgow. Both of our central locations are ideal for exploring the city and making the city your own. Don’t forget to book direct for our best rates.
