Dame Margaret Henderson Kidd

Dame Margaret Henderson Kidd, KC/QC, Scotland's first woman advocate, was born on the 14th of March, 1900.

There's nothing like a dame. Margaret Henderson Kidd wasn't born a Dame, but she was certainly unique and yes, she did it her way, which led to her becoming a Dame in 1975.  Margaret Henderson Kidd was a KC and a QC and during an eminent legal career, she racked up a number of pioneering ‘female firsts’ in what was then an entirely male dominated environment. Margaret became the first feminine member of the Scottish Bar in 1923, and uniquely, until 1948, she was its only female advocate. Margaret was also the first female lawyer to plead before the House of Lords and before a Select Committee of the House of Commons. In addition and significantly, Margaret became

Sir Fitzroy Hew Maclean of Dunconnel

Sir Fitzroy Hew Maclean of Dunconnel, 15th Hereditary Keeper and Captain of Dunconnel, diplomat, politician, soldier, and author, was born on the 11th of March, 1911.

Fitzroy Maclean was an intrepid Scotsman, who became a legendary figure in his own lifetime, notably for his outrageously daring military adventures in World War II. In his quieter moments, he found time to become a popular author, producer, writer and presenter of television travel documentaries, whose autobiography, ‘Eastern Approaches’, was a best seller in 1949. Maclean was the epitome of physical courage, bravura and charm, and probably, the last of a breed. He was a real life adventure hero in the tradition of a Biggles or Richard Hannay, or a Rider Haggard character. Apparently, however, Maclean's own hero was Bonnie Prince Charlie, but that suggestion does the former an injustice. Contrast Maclean's motto

St. John Ogilvie

St. John Ogilvie was hanged at Glasgow Cross on the 10th of March, 1615.

John Ogilvie, posthumous saint, spent a mere 11 months “performing ministry” in his native Scotland, before he was 'switched off' on the gallows for denying the King's supremacy in matters of religion. In contrast, Ogilvie had to wait over 250 years for his sainthood. Aye, he should've kent better than go ag'in' Jamie Saxt and his conceited concept of the 'divine right of kings'. As a rule, Protestant martyrs were burned at the stake, but the Catholic Ogilvie was merely hung, albeit he was also sentenced to have been first drawn and lastly quartered. The sentence wasn't carried out as given and the saint to be was buried intact. Ogilvie had been raised a Presbyterian, but he became a Catholic convert and a stubborn one at that. As the saying goes,

James Hamilton, 1st Duke of Hamilton

James Hamilton, the 1st Duke of Hamilton, died on the 9th of March, 1649.

James Hamilton seems to have been a collector of titles, who attempted to become an important politician and statesman during the difficult reign of Charles I. Hamilton also became, not uncommonly for his time, a military leader, but he was a rather incompetent royalist soldier, when all is said and done. Ultimately, he shared the fate of his King, for whom he lost his heid.

Hamilton succeeded to his father’s titles on the latter’s death in 1625 and proceeded to amass a great deal of titles for himself. During his life he became, at various times:

Alexander II knighted by John I

Alexander II was knighted by King John of England on the 8th of March, 1212.

The King of Scots known as Alexander II wasn't named after his dad, but he did pass on his name to his son, who became Alexander III. And in case you're wondering, yes there was an Alexander I, who was his great-grand-uncle, being the brother of his great-grandfather, David I. Alexander II was the only son of William I (a.k.a. William the Lion), and Ermengarde de Beaumont, and he was born in Haddington, East Lothian, on the 24th of August, 1198. Whatever other nicknames he might have had, like 'the Red', Alexander II could be described as the King of ‘three treaties’. During his eventful career, he made three treaties with the same English King, Henry III, the son of King John; he of Magna Carta infamy. The three treaties were:

Birth of Alexander Graham Bell

Alexander Graham Bell was born in Edinburgh on the 3rd of March, 1847.

There are two Alexanders whom everyone kens, regardless whereof they come. One was an ancient Macedon king and warrior, given to wearing spotless white tunics and rather fetching gold shin pads, and the other was Scotland's Alexander Graham Bell, who gave the world the telephone, and many other useful things. In their own way, both Alexanders conquered the world. The only difference is that Scotland's Alexander left behind him the more lasting legacy. 

Despite being universally known as the inventor of the first practical telephone, Alexander Graham Bell should be remembered for

Anne of Denmark, Queen Consort to James VI & I

Anne of Denmark, Queen Consort to James VI & I, died on the 2nd of March, 1619.

Anne is the name, royalty's the game, eh? The King of an independent Scotland may not amount to much of a catch in the 21st Century, but for a bonnie wee lassie frae the Denmark of the 17th Century, Jamie Saxt would've made a decent suitor. In principle, that is; maybe not so in practice, but then, Anne hersel' proved to be a bit of a disappointment. She was gey bonnie, though, and Jamesie was smitten wi' her at first, although his own strange predilections, coupled with her spendthriftery and apparent dalliances, meant that