Famous Scots

Liz and Eilish McColgan

Scottish mother and daughter duo, Liz and Eilish McColgan are well-known in the sporting world for being medal-winning middle-distance and long-distance track and road-running athletes.

Liz McColgan is a decorated former athlete, having competed at World Championships, Olympic Games, and Commonwealth Games, to name a few, all across the world. Eilish followed in her mother’s footsteps and is a middle and long-distance runner. She is the current 2022 Commonwealth Games 10,000 metres champion with the Games’ record, and 5,000 metres silver medallist. Another very well decorated athlete, she is a four-time European Championships medallist, with many more records and achievements in her pocket.

Learn more about Eilish McColgan
Learn more about Liz McColgan

Mary Slessor (1848 – 1915)

Mary Slessor was born in Aberdeen and was famed for being a Scottish Presbyterian missionary to Nigeria. In Nigeria, Slessor learned Efik, one of the local languages, and once she gained the trust of the locals, she was able to spread Christianity whilst promoting women’s rights and protecting native children.

Slessor also began teaching in Nigeria and because of her understanding of the native language, she is most famous for having stopped the common practice of infanticide of twins in Okoyong, an area of Cross River State, Nigeria.

Learn more about Mary Slessor
Visit Slessor Gardens

Many of us are often quick to pronounce that 'Scots invented the modern world', and while that bold statement is perhaps a wee bit of an exaggeration, there can be no denying the immense contribution made by Scots, from practically every walk of life, to the world at large.

Let's start with the big stuff. Leaders of the Reformation, the pioneering thinkers of the Scottish Enlightenment, trail-blazing captains of industry and intrepid explorers - all are individuals that Scotland can lay claim to, and their role in shaping how we think, see and experience the world today cannot be understated.

And where on earth would we be without the ingenious inventors, scientists and engineers to whom we owe steam power, penicillin and the telephone? These are just a few of the ground-breaking technological innovations pioneered in Scotland.

Scotland is equally proud of its artistic and cultural heritage too, and justifiably so. The roster of great artists, poets, writers, actors, musicians which hail from Scotland is long and one which continues to grow.

Intrigued by these fascinating characters?

• Delve into Scotland's history
• Explore our uniquely Scottish icons
• Trace your ancestry
• Learn more about revolutionary Scottish inventions and inventors

Who is Charles Rennie Mackintosh?

It was clear from an early age that Charles Rennie Mackintosh was bursting with talent. Born in Glasgow in 1868, he had a flair for drawing and design, and as a young man he embarked on his illustrious career with an architectural apprenticeship and evening classes at the Glasgow School of Art. He won several awards for his work, including the prestigious Alexander Thomson Travelling Studentship, which took him on an architectural tour of Italy.

Mackintosh believed an architect was responsible for every detail of the design of their buildings, and his interiors reflect this. Inside, rooms echo the modern, Art Nouveau styles used for the buildings themselves. They often used stylistic details such as a rose motif, high-backed chairs and unique typeface filled with decorative marks, all of which are synonymous with Mackintosh today.

1. Mackintosh at the Willow

Mackintosh famously designed several tearooms in Glasgow for local businesswoman Catherine Cranston, with the first at 217 Sauchiehall Street. Sensitively restored to the original 1903 designs, visitors can once again enjoy afternoon tea in the tearoom and other refreshments in a choice of exquisite dining spaces at Mackintosh at the Willow. Learn more about Mackintosh on a guided tour, or by visiting the exhibition which explains more about his designs and collaborations with Miss Cranston. Make sure to visit the rooftop terrace for a drink, where you can spot a Mackintosh designed chimney.

Visit Mackintosh at the Willow

2. The Hill House

Located just 45 minutes outside of Glasgow, Helensburgh is home to another stunning Mackintosh-designed property - The Hill House. This residential home is one of the most significant surviving complete works by Mackintosh, with original furniture and interior design as well as formal gardens designed in the Mackintosh style. Visitors also have the chance to get up close to its exterior and discover parts usually hidden by view in the 'Hill House Box', a protective structure which has been erected over the house to protect it from damage by rain. You can even venture onto the walkway over the roof for a truly unique experience!

Discover The Hill House

3. Mackintosh Queen's Cross Church

Queen's Cross Church opened in 1899 and is the only church designed by Mackintosh to be built. See the magnificent stained-glass windows which capture the light and the exceptional wood and stone carvings of this building. This little-known gem is just 10 minutes from the city centre and is a must-see for its blend of Gothic design with Mackintosh’s distinctive style. The church also hosts a regular programme of events including live music concerts.

Visit Mackintosh Queen's Cross Church

4. House for An Art Lover

Not far from Glasgow city centre is the Mackintosh designed House for an Art Lover, in Bellahouston Park. The building was designed for a competition for an 'Art Lover's House' in 1901 but not built until 1989. As well as admiring the magnificent external design, explore breathtaking rooms with lavishly detailed interiors that are filled with recognisably Mackintosh motifs, including the often-photographed white Music Room. After exploring, browse the Art Lover's Shop or relax in the Art Lover's Cafe, and discover amazing sculptures by a variety of artists in the park around the house.

Admire magnificent artwork at House for An Art Lover

5. Mackintosh House

At the University of Glasgow's Hunterian Art Gallery is the Mackintosh House. Astonishingly, the home that Mackintosh shared with his wife at 6 Florentine Terrace has been meticulously reassembled at this site, ensuring the sequence of rooms exactly reflect the original. The house even shares the same views, as the original was only 100 metres away.

Visit Mackintosh House

6. Scotland Street School Museum

Visit the beautiful building of Scotland Street School Museum, which is free to enter, to see impressive leaded glass towers and the magnificent tiled entrance hall. Once a functioning school, it now tells the story of education in Scotland from the late 19th century to the late 20th century, including reconstructed classrooms from across the years. There is also a room dedicated to Mackintosh, which explores how he had to adapt his usual style to fit the requirements of the School Board of Glasgow.

Take a trip to Scotland Street School Museum

Learn more about Mackintosh, his contemporaries and their pioneering works at the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, which is home to the Mackintosh and the Glasgow Style Gallery, the largest permanent display of work by key names in the Glasgow Style movement. You could also check out the Charles Rennie Mackintosh Trail that takes you across the best Mackintosh sites in the city. 

At V&A Dundee, Mackintosh sits at the heart of the Scottish Design Galleries. Visitor can walk through the Oak Room, a meticulously restored full interior from one of Mackintosh’s tearooms. While in Helensburgh, visit the Mackintosh Club, a Creative Hub for Architecture, Art, Design and Music. The building is Mackintosh’s first complete commission, and is now a gallery and arts venue that celebrates the ‘Glasgow Four’ with permanent and visiting exhibitions. In Glasgow city centre, the Glasgow Art Club’s premises on Bath Street were converted by John Keppie, whose trained Mackintosh. The interior designs featured motifs by Mackintosh and an extensive mural by him, which has been restored. A members’ club, visitors can book onto guided tours of the building and visit special exhibitions.