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Prominent personalities with a Bute connection
- HRH Prince Charles, The Duke of Rothesay:
"Duke of Rothesay" is the Scottish Peerage title used by HRH Prince Charles when in Scotland.
During the late 14th and early 15th centuries Rothesay Castle was a
favourite residence of Robert II (King 1371-1390) and Robert III (King
1390-1406). King Robert III, was the first monarch to designate his
eldest son (David) the Duke of Rothesay (in 1398) thus commencing the
tradition of the Dukedom. That title is still bestowed on the
heir-apparent to the throne and so is currently held by HRH Prince Charles.
Historical background on the peerage title "Duke of Rothesay"
(including succession details and a picture of the banner)
General information on HRH Prince Charles
Official website of HRH Prince Charles
- Lord Richard Attenborough: who has appeared in more than 50 films, including Jurassic Park and
Miracle on 34th Street, directed the movie
Gandhi which won eight Oscars in 1982, was knighted by Her
Majesty the Queen in 1976, and given a Life Peerage in 1993, has a
personal retreat estate (Rhubodach) at the north end of
the Isle of Bute.
- Sir (Dr) William MacEwen:
(1848-1924) the founder of Erskine Hospital and its "first great
surgeon" and subsequently Professor of Surgery at the Western Infirmary
and Surgeon to the Royal household, was born in Rothesay. He is
recognised as being 'the father of neurosurgery'. His Bute home was the
present Garrochty House at the south end of the island (visible from St
Blane's). When Mount Stuart served as a Military Hospital during World
War 1, Dr MacEwen was a resident surgeon. He was awarded the Freedom of
the Royal Burgh in 1922, two years before his death.
(More)
- Robert Thom:
(1774-1847)
Thom, an industrialist and engineer, was the owner of the Rothesay
Cotton Mill. In 1800 he had found that the water power was inadequate,
and switched to coal, but this proved too expensive. The mills
therefore reverted to water power the supply of which from Loch Fad was
greatly augmented through the re-routing of water from elsewhere on the
island to Loch Fad by means of water-cuts (ditches) hence Thom's
Cuts. In 1831Thom bought Ascog House and 420 acres including 90
acres of Ascog Loch, and in 1840 he built Meikle Ascog. Both these
properties are now in the ownership of the Landmark Trust - the former
building reputed to be among the oldest presently-standing dwellings on
the island (circa 1678).
- John William Mackail:
(1859-1945) Born in Ascog (Isle of Bute): man of letters (now best remembered as a
Virgil scholar), poet, literary historian and biographer.
(More)
- HR (Birdie) Bowers:
(1883-1912) Bowers
was a lieutenant in the Royal Indian Marines. He was one of the group
of four who trekked with Robert Falcon Scott to the South Pole in March
1912. All five were lost on the return journey with the bodies of
Scott, Wilson and Bowers being discovered in their tent in November
1912. His mother and sister stayed in Rothesay and he did some of his
training while staying with them, swimming from Ardbeg to Craigmore
regularly to build up his stamina. His home is still standing, and there
is an impressive memorial to him in St. Ninian's Church, Port Bannatyne.
Scott's expedition
- Edmund Kean: (1789-1833)
Kean was considered the greatest Shakespearean actor of his day, and he
rose to considerable fame and wealth on the European and American stage.
His hectic (and some would say debauched) lifestyle drove him to seek a
secluded hideaway. He needed somewhere to recharge his batteries and
escape the attentions of his adoring public and also of those who
disapproved of his racy and unseemly behaviour. A frequent visitor on
tour to Scotland he spotted the location of Woodend House
(then a cottage) and entered negotiations with the Marquess of Bute to
lease the land and buildings. He moved into Woodend House
in the Autumn of 1824. Kean endeared himself to the local population
and retained a number of faithful staff. He held fireworks parties and
let off blunderbusses to celebrate his birthday. On Sundays he would
often sleep until the early afternoon and then spend the rest of the day
drifting in his boat on the loch, fishing. His eccentric egotism finds
expression in the grand entrance gate to Woodend House that he had built
- displaying the busts of himself (3rd from left) alongside (L-R)
Massinger, Shakespeare and Garrick.
(More)
(More)
-
(George) Lesley Hunter:
(1879-1931) World-recognised landscape and still-life painter. Born in
Rothesay but emigrated with his family to the USA and settled in San
Francisco. He regularly visited the continent and was influenced by
the work of Van Gogh and Matisse. Hunter's particular skill was the
manner in which he dealt with light. He became one of a group known as
the Scottish Colourists, with F.C.B. Cadell (1883 - 1937), J.D.
Fergusson (1874 - 1961) and S.J. Peploe (1871 - 1935). (More)
(More)
- John Stirling:
(1806-1844) British author born at Kames Castle on the Isle of Bute.
- Montague Stanley:
(1809-1844) gave up the
glitter and fame of the Edinburgh stage due to his religious scruples to
paint on Bute. He is buried in the Sound of the Sea at Ascog Church
(the only grave on this property). He was a regular exhibitor at the
Scottish Academy, and many of his pictures were engraved for book
illustrations.
- Lena Zavaroni:
(1963-1999) A child prodigy
singing star, Lena was a Rothesay lass - born and bred! She rocketed
to fame with her recording of "Ma, he's making eyes at me". She
performed with Frank Sinatra, guest-starred on the Carol Burnett Show,
and even shared a dressing room with Liza Minnelli.
(More)
(More)
- Johnny Beattie:
(1927- ) Johnny, the Scottish showbiz legend /
impresario, has a second home on Bute, and spends a considerable amount
of time on the island. He has strong ties to Bute, and is
ever-willing to do charity events for good causes. He has been the
recipient of countless awards. He received a top award at the 15th Lord
Provost's Awards Ceremony in City Chambers "for entertaining the people
of Glasgow and beyond for over 50 years", and in March 2007 was
presented with awards by Bute Beyond 2000 and the Argyll and Bute
Council in recognition of his services to Bute in particular.
(More)
(More)
- Earls and Marquises of Bute: A comprehensive list of internet resources
that provide details of the various Earls and Marquises of Bute can be
found on the "Heritage, Archaeology and Genealogy" page of this website.
Scroll down to the sub-section entitled "Other heritage resources"
Short cut
This list does not pretend to be exhaustive. Any suggestions of
additional personalities (with appropriate details) can be submitted via
the website contact facility that can be accessed by clicking
here
| DISCLAIMER: Although the content of this website has been researched with the utmost care, any liability on the part of Bute Beyond 2000 or any of its individual partner organisations, arising out of any inaccuracies contained either in linked websites or in other material produced for this website, is expressly excluded. |
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Lord Richard Attenborough
© Wikipedia
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The Macewen family plot at
St Blane's Lower Churchyard
©isle-of-bute.org.uk
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Original bridge over
one of Thom's Cuts
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Memorial to
HR (Birdie) Bowers
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Edmund Kean
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Montague Stanley
Grave at Ascog
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Lena Zavaroni Memorial
Bute Discovery Centre
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Johnny Beattie
live in Rothesay
© ButeLive
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