Famous Caithness Folk

**The Pepsi Challenge** · 14-Aug-05, 15:53

Hmmm... is there any?

**johnl** · 14-Aug-05, 16:39

Alexander Bain Watten inventor of the electric clock
Robert Dick Thurso Geologist
To name but two their are others but can't recall at present.

**The Pepsi Challenge** · 14-Aug-05, 16:47

Does Dopey Dan count, do you think? For such a legend I'd be surprised if there wasn't any pix of him out there. C'mon y'all, send some in. Shouldn't the Town Clock church in Thurso be dedicated to him in his honour? Dan Miller - we hardly knew ye.

**Dusty** · 14-Aug-05, 16:48

Sir William Smith Boy's Brigade founder.

**Dusty** · 14-Aug-05, 16:53

I forgot Sir John Sinclair who had the Old Statistical Account of Scotland compiled.
Wasn't there someone from Caithness who was involved in the founding of the Russian Navy?

**scotsboy** · 14-Aug-05, 16:59

Arthur StClair 9th US President

**EDDIE** · 14-Aug-05, 17:24

Well pepsi challenge its been a long time since ive heard the name Dopey Dan.He most certanily was well known in the community when he was alive.I dont think he was always a tramp though.

**hereboy** · 14-Aug-05, 17:40

what about the one that makes the freezers - is she not famous, winning business awards and such.

or the one from Halkirk who has her TV show about hanging curtains and the like?

or the chiel Gunn who lifts heavy things and was world champion of lifting heavy things.

or the local doctors loon who played rugby for Scotland....

or the chiel from Glengolly who played in goal for Norwich and was Scotlands third reserve...

there are plenty famous people from Caithness... we must be a bit like that village in Ireland that has the most millionaires per head, Caithness has the most famous people per head - there are only about 30,000 of us.... every second person you meet is infamous....

bacardibabe · 14-Aug-05, 17:47

slevery geordie.

**The Pepsi Challenge** · 14-Aug-05, 17:48

Interesting.

I know Jim Sutherland (formerly of Mount Vernon, Thurso) produces soundtracks music for notable films and TV shows. He produced Aberfeldy's debut album, and has Gold and Plantinum Albums for his performance on Page & Plant's No Quarter album. I remember seeing him on Page & Plant's MTV Unplugged performance a few years back. Does that make him famous?

And what about Kevin Williamson? He founded publishers Rebel Inc., and "discovered" Irvine Welsh. It wasn't so long ago he brought the Scottish Parliament to a standstill when he put on a George Bush mask and danced around in the public gallery. A touch of class. Famous in my eyes anyway.

Keep 'em coming, folks.

**brokencross** · 14-Aug-05, 17:55

Alexander Bain was a clever chappie, he invented the first Fax machine way back in 1843. Invented a few other bits and bobs too. Here is a little biography, http://chem.ch.huji.ac.il/~eugeniik/history/bain.html

**hereboy** · 14-Aug-05, 17:57

Originally Posted by Dusty

Wasn't there someone from Caithness who was involved in the founding of the Russian Navy?

Aye, it was Peter the Great - from the Canisbay Greats....

**caithnessgirl** · 14-Aug-05, 18:09

what about the one from thurso side who has her own paint range etc etc? and the one from the scottish blend advert!!

**KitKat** · 14-Aug-05, 18:17

Anne Mckevitt, nee Wares from Thurso: Interior designer
Aline Mowat, actress
Glenna Morrison, actress
Colin Boyd, Lord Advocate for Scotland, not born here but did his secondary education at Wick High
Susan Hampshire, actress, spent some of her childhood here.

I'm sure there are sculptors, artists and writers as well but can't think of them at the moment.

**MagicalTrevor** · 14-Aug-05, 18:26

As someone has already half mentioned - Bryan Gunn former Norwich goalkeeper (that was when Norwich were Premier League material

)

**Alli** · 14-Aug-05, 18:58

Bobby Coghill was a very famous Piper/accordian/fiddle player

**colmac** · 14-Aug-05, 19:23

Originally Posted by scotsboy

Arthur StClair 9th US President

I don't think so. No US president with that name unfortunately.

**trinkie** · 14-Aug-05, 19:44

James Bremner , Wreck Raiser.
Born in Keiss 1784
He raised the SS Great Britain in 1874.
and many other ships

Neil Gunn, Author
born Dunbeath 1891.
The Silver Darlings, Butcher's Broom etc.

Christina Keith, author
born Thurso
Wrote The Russet Coat, a study of Burns' Poetry
and several other books.

Donald Campbell, author
born in Caithness 1930 / 40s
wrote The Jesuit and The Widows of Clyth
and others.

Gordon Gunn,
Traditional Fiddler, born in Wick 1970s?
Superb music