SCOTLAND has produced some of the world’s most renowned people – and we’re asking you to help us choose one of the finest.
BBC Two show Icons: The Greatest Person of the 20th Century has just selected Alan Turing as its most iconic.
With no Scots or women in their final shortlist, that got us thinking ... who is the most iconic Scot of the 20th century?
VOTE NOW: Who is the greatest Scot of the 20th Century? (Round One)
It was hard to narrow down the selection – and there are some excellent candidates who haven’t made our shortlist. We came up with a fantastic group of Scots, however, and want your help choosing a winner. From today, we’ll be putting up head-to-head polls on our website, Twitter and Facebook that you can vote on.
The winner will be revealed in this week’s Sunday National.
On the science side we have legendary physician Alexander Fleming, and Dolly the Sheep, the first mammal cloned from an adult cell. Doctor Elsie Inglis is another option – the founder of the Scottish Women’s Hospitals.
Industrialist Andrew Carnegie, known for his incredible philanthropy, makes the list, along with architect Charles Rennie Mackintosh.
In politics, one of the most iconic has to be Madame Ecosse, Winnie Ewing, up alongside Labour’s Keir Hardie and 1915 rent strike organiser Mary Barbour.
Scotland has had some truly iconic entertainers and artists too.
Is novelist Muriel Spark the most iconic Scot of the 20th century, or poet Hugh MacDiarmid?
Annie Lennox, Harry Lauder, Lulu and The Proclaimers show the strength of Scotland’s singers.
VOTE NOW: Who is the greatest Scot of the 20th Century? (Round One)
The list would not be complete without two other famous names, though – comedian Billy Connolly and actor Sean Connery.
We’re sure it’ll spark a lively debate, and if you’ve got other suggestions or thoughts on the candidates, let us know by emailing letters@thenational.scot!
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We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
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Callum Baird, Editor of The National
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