Charles Frederick Hempel – organist and composer born at Truro, Cornwall – September 1811. Raised in a musical family he became a music teacher at Truro. His song-writing career began in 1847 with Heave one sigh for me at parting – dedicated to the Countess of Falmouth. As well as songs he wrote […]
John Strang – Religious figure and Principal of Glasgow University was born at Irvine, Ayrshire in 1547. Attended St Andrews University from the age of 12. After attaining an MA he was appointed a regent of St Leonard’s College. Strang was ordained 10 April 1614 and joined the parish of Errol in […]
Ian Maclaren – author and theologian – born John Watson 3 November 1850 at Manningtree in Essex. He studied at Stirling and then Edinburgh University before undertaking theology at New College, Edinburgh and Tubingen. In 1874 he became a minister in the Free Church of Scotland. Amongst his positions were ministries […]
Thomas Tullidelph – minister and university principal; he was known as an eloquent speaker and preacher. Born in Dunbarney Parish to the local Minster, Thomas Tullidelph became the founder and first principal of United College, St Andrews University. He spent some 50 years as an academic and religious figure in Perthshire and […]
David Wemyss (6th Earl of Wemyss – Lord Elcho) – Jacobite army officer born 12 August 1721. After Winchester College, Wemyss was sent to Angers military academy. Whilst in Rome (1740-41), he met James Stuart (James III of Scotland). By February 1744, Wemyss was a colonel of dragoons and a member […]
Robert Watt (1761×88-1794) – revolutionary or police informer – was educated at Perth Academy before taking up employment in Edinburgh. After various jobs – clerk, writer and wine merchant – he began working as a spy for the Lord Advocate, Robert Dundas. The late 18th century was a radical period across […]
John Wood (1811-1871) – geographer – educated at Perth Academy. He joined the East India Company and served in its navy, reaching the rank of lieutenant. After the River Indus was opened up for navigation and commerce, Wood oversaw the operation and the running of the steamship Indus. (1835). In this […]
John Wedderburn (1704-1746) ~ Jacobite army officer – 5th Baronet of Balindean in the County of Perth. An ardent Jacobite supporter, John Wedderburn fought at the Battle of Culloden of 1746. Taken prisoner he was subsequently executed for treason in November 1746. His title and estates became forfeit. Eventually, (18 August […]
Patrick Torry (1763-1852) ~ Scottish Episcopal bishop of St Andrews, Dunkeld and Dunblane – was born 27 December 1763 in Aberdeenshire, the son of a woollen cloth producer. His uncle a Jacobite moved him from the Church of Scotland and into Episcopalianism. In September of 1782 he became an Episcopalian priest whilst […]
Lawrence Macdonald (1799-1878) ~ sculptor, was born on 15 February 1799 at Bonnyview, Findo Gask, Perthshire. As a youth, he undertook an apprenticeship with a local mason. By 1822, he was in Edinburgh employed as an ornamental carver. A relocation to Rome sponsored by the Oliphants of Gask saw him working […]