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Famous people from Scottish

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From the rugged Highlands to dynamic cities, Scotland has nurtured voices that shaped literature, thought, and public life. Spanning centuries, notable figures include writers whose stories travel the world, philosophers who probe ethics and reason, artists who reimagine form and colour, and leaders who guide communities and institutions. Together they reflect a tradition of curiosity, innovation, and spirited debate, grounded in place yet global in influence. Their contributions continue to inspire readers, challenge assumptions, and enrich cultural conversations across borders.

View all Quotes from Scottish authors
Author Profession Quotes Year
Adam Ferguson, Tiny Adam Ferguson Philosopher 6 1723 - 1816
Adam Smith, Tiny Adam Smith Economist 30 1723 - 1790
Al Stewart Musician 9 1945
Alan Cumming Actor 5 1965
Alan Hansen Athlete 21 1955
Alexander Duff Clergyman 2 1806 - 1878
Alexander Graham Bell Inventor 11 1847 - 1922
Alexander Smith, Tiny Alexander Smith Poet 30 1830 - 1867
Alistair Maclean Novelist 2 1922 - 1987
Allan Cunningham Poet 1 1784 - 1842
Allan Massie Writer 3 1938
Andrew Fletcher Writer 2 1655 - 1716
Andrew Lang Poet 5 1844 - 1912
Angus Young, Tiny Angus Young Musician 7 1955
Anne Grant Poet 6 1755 - 1838
Annie Lennox Musician 13 1954
Arthur Keith Scientist 27 1866 - 1955
B. C. Forbes Journalist 24 1880 - 1954
Bill Forsyth Director 14 1946
Bill Shankly, Tiny Bill Shankly Athlete 12 1913 - 1981
Billy Connolly, Tiny Billy Connolly Comedian 21 1942
Bon Scott Musician 10 1946 - 1980
Colin Mochrie Actor 30 1957
Craig Armstrong Composer 4 1959
Craig Ferguson Comedian 5 1962
David Allan Artist 1 1744 - 1796
David Byrne, Tiny David Byrne Musician 33 1952
David Douglas Environmentalist 2 1799 - 1834
David Gill Scientist 18 1843 - 1914
David Hume, Tiny David Hume Philosopher 46 1711 - 1776
David Livingstone Explorer 8 1813 - 1873
David Mallet Dramatist 7 1705 - 1765
David McCallum Actor 11 1933
David Russell Musician 5 1953
Deborah Kerr Actress 6 1921 - 2007
Denis Law Athlete 2 1940
Dennis Nilsen Criminal 4 1945 - 2018
Donald Cargill Clergyman 22 1619 - 1681
Dorothy Dunnett Novelist 3 1923 - 2001
Douglas Dunn Poet 6 1942
E. T. Bell, Tiny E. T. Bell Mathematician 13 1883 - 1960
Eddie Campbell Artist 21 1955
Edward Irving Clergyman 5 1792 - 1834
Ewan McGregor Actor 31 1971
Frances Wright, Tiny Frances Wright Writer 15 1795 - 1852
Francis Wright, Tiny Francis Wright Activist 19 1795 - 1852
Frederick Scott Oliver Writer 3
Gail Porter Celebrity 12 1971
George Adam Smith Clergyman 1 1856 - 1942
George Gillespie Theologian 6 1613 - 1648
George MacDonald Novelist 30 1824 - 1905
Gerard Butler Actor 21 1969
Gilbert Highet Writer 8 1906 - 1978
Gordon Waller Musician 4 1945
Henry Drummond Writer 13 1851 - 1897
Hugh Blair Theologian 5 1718 - 1800
Hugh MacDiarmid Poet 3 1892 - 1978
Hugh Miller Scientist 7 1802 - 1856
Iain Banks Writer 9 1954 - 2013
Ian Hamilton Finlay Poet 18 1925 - 2006
Ian McDiarmid Actor 13 1944
Ian St. John, Tiny Ian St. John Athlete 9 1938
Irvine Welsh Novelist 26 1961
J. M. Barrie, Tiny J. M. Barrie Novelist 8 1860 - 1937
Jack Bruce Musician 4 1943 - 2014
Jackie Stewart Athlete 12 1939
James Beattie Poet 11 1735 - 1803
James Boswell Lawyer 14 1740 - 1795
James C. Maxwell Mathematician 8 1831 - 1879
James Connolly Politician 4 1868 - 1916
James G. Frazer Scientist 5 1854 - 1941
James Grainger Poet 1
James Hogg, Tiny James Hogg Poet 6 1770 - 1835
James Hutton Scientist 2 1726 - 1797
James Lind, Tiny James Lind Scientist 8 1716 - 1794
James Mackintosh Judge 4 1765 - 1832
James McAvoy Actor 16 1979
James Nasmyth Inventor 10 1808 - 1890
James Thomson Musician 13 1700 - 1748
James W. Black Scientist 12 1924 - 2010
Jamie Muir Musician 10 1942
Jim Diamond 8 1951 - 2015
John Arbuthnot Physicist 3 1667 - 1735
John Barbour Poet 1
John Boyd Orr Politician 26 1880 - 1971
John Buchan, Tiny John Buchan Politician 15 1875 - 1940
John Gilmour Politician 2 1876 - 1940
John Hay Beith Playwright 1 1876 - 1952
John Henry Mackay Writer 1 1864 - 1933
John Hunter 9 1728 - 1793
John Knox Clergyman 3 1513 - 1572
John Stuart Blackie Writer 3 1809 - 1895
John Wilson Writer 4 1785 - 1854
Jonathan Potter Psychologist 3
Joseph Hume Scientist 19 1777 - 1855
Ken MacLeod Writer 2 1954
Kenneth Grahame Novelist 18 1859 - 1932
Kenny Dalglish Athlete 5 1951
King James I, Tiny King James I Royalty 3 1566 - 1625
Kirsty Gallacher Entertainer 1 1976
Lord Robertson Diplomat 17 1946
Magnus Magnusson Journalist 5 1929
Margaret Oliphant Novelist 7 1828 - 1897
Margo MacDonald Politician 2 1943 - 2014
Marie Carmichael Stopes Author 2 1880 - 1958
Mark Millar Writer 22 1969
Midge Ure Musician 7 1953
Norman MacCaig, Tiny Norman MacCaig Poet 32 1910 - 1996
Norman Macleod Writer 3
Norman McLaren Artist 16 1914 - 1987
Oswald Chambers Theologian 15 1874 - 1917
Patrick Geddes Scientist 3 1854 - 1932
Patrick Gordon Soldier 2 1635 - 1699
Paul Sweeney Politician 7 1989
Peter Marshall, Tiny Peter Marshall Clergyman 13 1902 - 1949
R. D. Laing, Tiny R. D. Laing Psychologist 20 1927 - 1989
Richard Holloway Writer 3
Robbie Coltraine Actor 8 1950
Robbie Coltrane Actor 25 1950
Robert Adamson Philosopher 7 1852 - 1902
Robert Barclay Writer 3 1648 - 1690
Robert Blair Poet 9 1699 - 1746
Robert Burns, Tiny Robert Burns Poet 15 1759 - 1796
Robert Carlyle Director 9 1961
Robert Chambers Writer 2 1802 - 1871
Robert Dale Owen Politician 23 1801 - 1877
Robert Fortune Scientist 22 1813 - 1880
Robert Louis Stevenson, Tiny Robert Louis Stevenson Writer 84 1850 - 1894
Robert Rainy Clergyman 8 1826 - 1906
Robert Service Poet 8 1874 - 1958
Robert W. Service Poet 5 1874 - 1958
Robin Cook Politician 2 1946 - 2005
Rod Stewart Musician 12 1945
Ronald Ross Scientist 2 1857 - 1932
Ronnie Corbett Comedian 2 1930 - 2016
Samuel Rutherford Theologian 13 1600 - 1661
Samuel Smiles, Tiny Samuel Smiles Author 30 1812 - 1904
Sean Connery, Tiny Sean Connery Actor 32 1930 - 2020
Sheena Easton Musician 30 1959
Shirley Manson Musician 24 1966
Theodore Martin Poet 1 1816 - 1909
Thomas Boston Clergyman 1 1676 - 1732
Thomas Campbell Poet 10 1777 - 1844
Thomas Carlyle, Tiny Thomas Carlyle Writer 111 1795 - 1881
Thomas Chalmers Clergyman 1 1780 - 1847
Thomas Erskine Theologian 2 1788 - 1870
Thomas Guthrie Clergyman 3 1803 - 1873
Thomas Reid Philosopher 7 1710 - 1796
Tobias Smollett Writer 2 1721 - 1771
Tommy Armour Athlete 3 1894 - 1968
W. H. Murray Athlete 3 1913 - 1996
Walter Elliot, Tiny Walter Elliot Politician 2 1888 - 1958
Walter Scott, Tiny Walter Scott Novelist 32 1771 - 1832
Walter Smith Athlete 2 1948 - 2021
William Allan Artist 2 1782 - 1850
William Barclay Theologian 15 1907 - 1978
William Dunbar, Tiny William Dunbar Poet 7 1459 - 1530
William Falconer Poet 21 1732 - 1769
William Hamilton Politician 6
William Kidd Explorer 9
William Minto Writer 1 1845 - 1893
William Ramsay Scientist 1 1852 - 1916
William Robertson Smith Scientist 16 1846 - 1894
William Wallace Revolutionary 2
William Winwood Reade Historian 3 1838 - 1875