The founder of modern geology and one of the leading figures of the Scottish Enlightenment showed that new rocks are formed from the debris of older rocks, and for 30 years he travelled across Britain, often by foot, gathering evidence to support his
belief that the earth was very much older than previously thought. Hutton's views were controversial, even anticipating Darwin's theory of evolution, and his pioneering work was not fully recognised until after his death.
2 THOMAS MUIR (1765-1799)Born in Glasgow, this political reformer trained as a lawyer and often represented poorer clients for no fee. A Church elder, he supported reform without resorting to force, but the government was terrified that revolutionary violence would infect Britain. Agitators were dealt with severely, but even the hand-picked jury at Muir's sedition trial were shocked by the severity of his sentence: transportation for 14 years. Making a daring escape from Botany Bay in 1796, with the help of an American trading ship, Muir experienced many hair-raising adventures before returning to Europe from Havana in a Spanish ship in 1797.
3 DANIEL LAIDLAW VC (1875-1950)Piper Laidlaw VC: "The Piper of Loos" went to France with the King's Own Scottish Borderers in 1915. During the Battle of Loos, he led comrades towards enemy lines, his stirring pipe tunes giving them heart. Although wounded by shrapnel to his leg, Laidlaw continued to play until the enemy position was won. This courage resulted in King George V investing him with the Victoria Cross in 1916.
4 TOM JOHNSTON (1881-1965)A politician and journalist, Johnston didn't get bogged down in political theories – he got things done. He was a campaigning writer with a passion for Scottish history, and for home rule. Johnston achieved great things in health, education and housing. Blessed with a sense of humour, he was never motivated by personal ambition; all his energy was devoted to improving Scotland.
5 OOR WULLIE (1936-)Oor Wullie (we have never known his last name), has appeared in the Sunday Post for over 70 years. During the war years, Wullie and his pals regularly mocked Adolf Hitler, resulting in his creator, Dudley D Watkins, and the managing director of DC Thomson, RD Low, appearing on a Nazi blacklist.
The full article contains 386 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
