Famous Scots from Greater Glasgow and the Clyde Valley

James Watt 1736 - 1819
Born in Greenock, he followed his father's trade of mathematical instrument maker. He patented an invention which was the prototype steam engine in 1769, whilst working at an ironworks in Falkirk and worked on improving this in Birmingham. The unit of electrical power named after him was standardised in the 1880s.

Charles MacIntosh 1766 - 1843
Born in Glasgow, he invented the waterproofing agent for the coat of the same name.

James 'paraffin' Young 1811 - 1883
Born in Glasgow, he realised the potential for extracting paraffin from oil-rich shales and coals. He went on to set up Scotland's oil industry.

David Livingstone 1813 - 1873
Born in Blantyre, Livingston became an explorer and missionary. He discovered the Victoria Falls and led expeditions up the Zambezi and Nile. It was on the Nile that he met the journalist Henry Stanley who spoke the often quoted line "Dr Livingstone I presume". There is a visitor centre in Blantyre about the life of Livingstone.

Sir William Arrol 1839 - 1913
Born in Renfrewshire, the son of a spinner, two projects were to give Arrol his lasting fame. His engineering business constructed the new 85 span Tay Railway Bridge (1882-1887) and the cantilever Forth Railway Bridge (1883-1890).

Charles Rennie MacKintosh 1868 - 1928
Born in Glasgow, MacKintosh was one of Scotland's most original architects. His works include the Glasgow School of Art, House for an Art Lover and Hill House in Helensburgh. Later he concentrated on his painting career although he never gained as much international fame for this

The 'Glasgow' boys
In the late 1870s a group of young artists, sought to challenge the established art world through their subject matter and tonal qualities. They flourished throughout the 1880s and 1890s, and as well as painting in Glasgow and its environs they sought scenes of rural life and character in Kirkcudbright, Cockburnspath and other parts of Scotland. Principal members of the group included Joseph Crawhill, Sir James Guthrie, George Henry and EA Hornel - their works can be seen in various Scottish collections, notably the Glasgow Art Gallery and Museum, the Burrell Collection and Broughton House, Kirkcudbright.

The Scottish Colourists 1920's - 1930's
After the Glasgow Boys came a smaller group, who although not recognised in the 1920s and 1930s when they were exhibiting, were rediscovered in the 1980s as a seminal influence on 20th Century Scottish painting and are now highly regarded internationally. Trained in France and consequently borrowing from the strong vibrant colours of contemporary French painting, they became known as the Scottish Colourists. The main artists were SJ Peploe, FCB Cadell, Leslie Hunter and JD Fergusson. Their works have become familiar particularly through reproductions. Originals can be seen in Scottish galleries including Aberdeen Art Gallery, Kikcaldy Art Gallery and the JD Fergusson Gallery in Perth.

Billy Connolly 1942 -
Born in Glasgow, he started his career as a welder in the dockyards of Glasgow. During the 1960s he was a member of a successful folk band called the Humblebums but it was soon clear that his jokes were taking over the show. During the 70s he became famous in his own right as a comedian and a writer both on stage and on television. His career flourished and he began acting. His credits include "Head of the Class", "Big Man" and recently as John Brown in the Oscar winning film "Mrs Brown".

Bill Forsyth 1946 - 
Bill Forsyth was born in 1946 in Glasgow. He has had a successful career as a director, writer and occasional producer. He is most famed for the 1983 film "Local Hero" which was nominated for 6 British Academy Awards. Local Hero was filmed in the Aberdeenshire village of Pennan

Robbie Coltrane 1950 -
Born in 1950 in Rutherglen, Robbie Coltrane has gone on to become an accomplished actor and comedian. His many roles include "Danny" in Tutti Frutti", "Valentin Zukovsky" in "The World is Not Enough" and numerous roles in the comic strip productions. He is best known for his portrayal of the gambling, alcoholic psychologist "Fitz" in the Drama

Kenny Dalgleish 1951 - 
Glasgow born Dalgleish is one of the heroes of Scottish football. At sixteen he joined Celtic as a striker and went on to score more than 150 goals during his time there. At 26 he joined Liverpool which led to him taking on the role of the first ever player manager in 1985. He went on to lead Blackburn Rovers to a FA Championship win and then later moved to manage Newcastle.

Sheena Easton 1959 - 
She was born Sheena Shirley Orr in Bellshill, near Glasgow. Inspired to become a singer she attended the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama and graduated in 1979. Very soon afterwards she was recording albums and winning awards. She has also pursued a career in film and her appearances include Miami Vice and Outer Limits.

Robert Carlyle 1961 -
Born in Glasgow, he has gone on to be regarded as one of the best British actors of his generation. "Trainspotting" was the first film to bring him major recognition and this was followed by the box office success, "The Full Monty". He is also well know for his role as local policeman, Hamish MacBeth, set in Plockton in the Highlands and villain "Renard" is the James Bond film "The World is Not Enough".

Colin Montgomerie 1963 - 
Colin Mongomerie was born in Glasgow in 1963. He has become one of Scotland's golfing heroes, dominating completions at home and abroad for many years.