Alexander Graham Bell (1847 - 1922)
Born in Edinburgh. Bell invented the telephone 1876. The family home was at 16 South Charlotte Street, and has a stone inscription, marking it as Alexander Graham Bell's birthplace In 1881 he invented Metal detacher. South Charlotte street is close to the east end of Rose st. Rose street famous for the amount of bars there is.
Famous explorer of Africa. Born in Blantyre First white man to travel the length of Lake Tanganyika, discovered Victoria Falls and set out to discover the source of the Nile, but died before achieving his aim. When Henry Stanley was sent to look for Livingstone, he uttered the famous greeting "Dr Livingstone, I presume". Why not visit the David Livingstone Centre in Blantyre. Not too far from Glasgow.The museum tells the story of Livingstone's explorations in Africa and is home to a wide range of his personal belongings and travel aids including diaries and navigational equipment. Sir Alexander Fleming (1881 - 1955) Born in Darvel Ayrshire, he discovered the world's first antibiotic drug - Penicillin. This was as a result of an "accident" where mould was allowed to grow on a bacterial culture. Fleming was knighted and received the Nobel Prize in 1944.A memorial commemorates this at Lochfield Farm Rabbie Burns (1759 - 1796) Poet and Writer. Amongst many other works he wrote "Auld Lang Syne" which is now sung world-wide at the end of functions and particularly at the end of the year. The Scots celebrate "Burn's Night" on the 25th January.Born in the family cottage in Alloway, Ayr, Burns spent much of his childhood years in this area. The cottage now fully restored to it's original state a visit to Burns Cottage is a must see for all Burns enthusiasts!
Nearby Ayr is popular with day trippers .
William Hunter (1718 - 1783) Pioneer in the field of Obstetrics. Born in Lanarkshire and educated at Glasgow University, he gained his reputation in the teaching hospitals of London. Perhaps best known for his collection of anatomical specimens, coins and minerals which he left to the Glasgow Museum which took its name from his, the Hunterian Museum.
Sir Thomas Lipton (1850 - 1931) Grocer and entrepreneur. Born in Port Glasgow, Lipton revolutionised the retail grocery trade, developing many marketing techniques which are used by supermarkets today. He ensured supplies by buying, for example, tea plantations in Sri Lanka. He quickly became a millionaire, enabling him to challenge consistently but unsuccessfully for the Americas Cup (yachting), he also started the World Cup in football (soccer) in 1910. He left a substantial benefaction to the City of Glasgow.
William Arrol[1839-1913] Arrol was responsible for the Second Tay bridge after the first fell down and the wonderful Forth Bridge.
Forth Bridge is the rail bridge . If you are in Edinburgh take the local bus out to South Queensferry.
There you get great views of both Forth bridges. There is now a tour which takes you out to see the bridge.
He also worked on Tower Bridge in London.
Sir William Burrell (1861 - 1951) An eccentric ship-owner and compulsive collector of art and antiques. In 1944 he presented 8000 items to the City of Glasgow which form the Burrell Collection, now housed in Pollock Park. Take the train out from Glasgow`s Central station. He also gave 42 paintings to Berwick-upon-Tweed Art Gallery.
James Chalmers (1782 - 1853) Dundee Inventor, Bookseller and Newspaper publisher. Invented the adhesive postage stamp, which made Rowland Hill's Penny Postal service a practical proposition.
Chalmer`s gravestone in Dundee says Originator of the adhesive postage stamp.
Sir Robert McAlpine (1847 - 1934) Known as Concrete Bob, he built up a large building and engineering firm. McAlpine was also a pioneer in the use of concrete and labour-saving machinery. He left school at 10 to work in a coal mine, but went on to build roads and public buildings including Wembley Stadium in London.
John Muir (1834 - 1914) Naturalist and Conservationist, born in Dunbar. Founder of the U.S. National Park system and regarded as the father of the modern environmental movement.
John Muir's life and work has inspired people all over the world. Now the Dunbar birthplace of the pioneering conservationist has been transformed into a new visitor attraction. The stunning interpretative centre highlights the work and achievements of this remarkable man. Dunbar is an hour east of Edinburgh.
Alexander Selkirk (1676 - 1721) . Born in the fishing village of Lower Largo in Fife. Selkirk was the model for Daniel Defoe's Robinson Crusoe (published 1719). At 101 Main Street Lower Largo is a statue marking the thatched cottage where Alexander Selkirk was born. The son of a shoemaker, he left for a life at sea. After a quarrel with the captain of the ship he was put ashore for four lonely years on the deserted island of Juan Fernandez.