November 29 - St. Andrew’s Day: Famous Scottish people over 60

St. Andrew's Day takes place on the 30^th November and celebrates the patron saint of Scotland, with festivities usually involving a mixture of Scottish music, food and dance. Scottish schools hold special events throughout the day including dance shows and bagpipe-playing and many cities such as Edinburgh and Glasgow hold week-long celebrations.

As St. Andrew’s Day is tomorrow and since we are sponsors of Older People’s Day we have decided to look at some of the most famous and influential Scottish nationals over 60 from all walks of life, including famous actors, sportsmen and comedians.

Sir Sean Connery

Perhaps the most famous Scottish actor, Sir Sean Connery has won numerous awards including an Academy Award, three Golden Globes and two BAFTA Awards. Born in Edinburgh in 1930, Connery has portrayed a wide range of roles throughout his lucrative career, none more famous than his portrayal of James Bond from 1962-1971 and again in 1983. Connery went on to have roles in many box office hits including The Untouchables and Indiana Jones and The Last Crusade. His influence on the film industry saw him knighted in July 2000.

Annette Crosbie, O.B.E.

Annette Crosbie, born in 1934, is most famous for playing the role of Margaret Meldrew from 1990 to 2000 in the awarded BBC sitcom One foot in the Grave. Her acting career began in 1959 and still continues today spanning over 5 decades, with various roles in a number of TV series, from Nanny in Play for Today to Queen Victoria in Edward the Seventh and Queen Elizabeth II in Bremner, Bird and Fortune. She won 2 BAFTA Television Awards for Best Actress, one in 1971 for her role as Catherine of Aragon in The Six Wives of Henry VIII  and one in 1976 for playing Queen Victoria in Edward the Seventh.

Sir Jackie Stewart

From one sporting great to another, this time behind the steering wheel! Sir Jackie Stewart is one of the most famous Scottish F1 racing drivers having won 3 World Driver’s Championships between 1965 and 1973 and notching up 27 race victories and 43 podiums. In 2001 Stewart, branded the “Flying Scott” by many of his peers and by the media, was knighted for his services to motor racing and today he plays a big role in the improvement of F1 safety.

Sir Alex Ferguson

Born in Glasgow in 1941, Sir Alex Ferguson is perhaps one of the greatest football managers of all time. After spells at St Mirren and Aberdeen, he took over as manager of Manchester United in 1986 and during his time at the club won 38 trophies, including 13 Premier League titles, two Champions League titles and 5 FA Cups. Sir Alex Ferguson’s success and commitment to football saw him knighted in 1999 and he also holds the Freedom of the City of Aberdeen. In 2013 he announced his retirement from management, but still plays a significant role in football both with Manchester United and the game as a whole.

Billy Connolly

Better known for his success as a stand-up comedian, Billy Connolly is also a successful actor, presenter and musician. Born in Glasgow in 1942, Billy Connolly began his career as a welder before moving into folk music and then acting/stand-up comedy. Connolly has appeared in films such as Timeline, Garfield: A Tail of Two Kittens and Mrs. Brown and released over 10 stand-up comedy DVDs. His success has seen him awarded the BAFTA Lifetime Achievement Award and the BAFTA Scotland Outstanding Contribution to Television and Film Award. He is also patron of the National Association for Bikers with a Disability and was recently diagnosed with Parkinson’s.

Lulu, O.B.E.

Singer, songwriter, actress and television personality, Lulu came into the spotlight in the 1960s, in her teens. Her first UK hit was her cover of 'Shout' by the Isley Brothers. She soon became one of the best-selling female singers of the 1960s, and gained fame in the USA for acting in the movie To Sir with Love, for which she sang the cover song. She also represented the UK at the Eurovision Song Contest and was a co-winner with her song 'Boom Bang-a-Bang'. She is internationally known for performing the title song of The Man with the Golden Gun, starring Roger Moore as James Bond.

Isla St Clair

Born in 1952, singer Isla St Clair is also an actress and is probably most widely famous for co-hosting The Generation Game from 1978 to 1982. She landed her own TV series, The Farm on the Hill, and in 1981 she co-produced BBC's The Song and the Story, a TV programme for children which won a Roses Award for Best Television Programme and the Prix Jeunesse for Best Light Entertainment in Germany. Isla St Clair has not forgotten her Scottish roots, as shown by her discography which is highly influenced by her motherland.

We could mention more famous Scottish men and women but all good things have an end. But do let us know which Scottish men and women you think represent Scotland best at an international level! And if you run a care home in Scotland or have Scottish residents in your home and are planning on celebrating St. Andrew’s Day, we’d love to hear your plans and see your pictures. You can share your experiences with us via our Twitter, Facebook and Google+ pages.