This is a collection of resources about Great Scots both historical and contemporary. The materials provide learning and teaching suggestions as to how the life and work of these people might be both instructional and inspirational for Scottish learners.

Sets of materials assist practitioners in delivering a variety of themes from innovation and invention to entrepreneurship and philanthropy. There are engaging video interviews which have been edited into useful clips for children and young people to hear directly from some of the contributors.

How to use this resource

This resource is designed to provide inspiration and example to children and young people who are learning about a variety of themes through famous and noteworthy contributors to Scottish life and society, many of whom have had an international influence.

These noteworthy Scots come from all over the country and can help children and young people to see how those from their own society or background have succeeded in their lives.

Regardless of the interest of the learner there is a Great Scot for them to research, and these materials make an excellent starting point for a project about how Scots have influenced their country and further afield.

There are clear links across different subject areas within each of the lives of people featured. In addition to Social Studies, there are strong links to Science, Sport, Business, Literature, Art, and many others.

Featured profiles

These materials with up-to-date video clips and interesting interviews have a great variety of applications. For example, watch Sir Tom Farmer talking about how he developed his career to become one of the most successful businessmen in Scotland.

Theresa Breslin

Theresa Breslin is an award-winning Scottish author who specialises in young adult fiction.

Theresa Breslin - Learning journey (Word 2.4 MB)

Theresa Breslin - Learning journey (PDF 170 KB)

Robert The Bruce

Robert the Bruce was King of Scots from 1306 to 1329 who was a leading figure in the Wars of Independence against England.

Robert the Bruce - Learning journey (Word 2.5 MB)

Robert the Bruce - Learning journey (PDF 334 KB)

Tom Farmer

Sir Thomas 'Tom' Farmer is a famous Scottish entrepreneur who founded the Kwik-Fit chain of garages. He went on to become a successful businessman and philanthropist, supporting charities such as Mary's Meals.

Tom Farmer video

Tom farmer learning journey documents

Tom Farmer - learning journey (Word 2.4 MB)

Tom Farmer - learning journey (PDF 243 KB)

Jane Haining

Jane Haining was a Scottish missionary for the Church of Scotland in Budapest who was recognized in Israel as Righteous Among the Nations for having risked her life to help Jews during the Holocaust.

Jane Haining Queen's Park Church and Hungary video

Jane Haining Star of David video

Jane Haining Growing up in Dunscore video

Jane Haining Learning Journey documents

Jane Haining - Learning journey (Word 2.3 MB)

Jane Haining - Learning journey (PDF 483 KB)

Jane Haining - Background (PDF 2.5 MB)

Paul Lawrie

Paul Stewart Lawrie OBE is a professional golfer, who won the Open Championship, has played in two Ryder Cups and has been awarded an OBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List.

Paul Lawrie - Learning journey (Word 2.5 MB)

Paul Lawrie - Learning journey (PDF 695 KB)

Magnus Macfarlane Barrow

Magnus MacFarlane-Barrow is the founder and CEO of Mary's Meals, a registered charity, that sets up school feeding projects in some of the world's poorest communities, where hunger and poverty prevent children from gaining an education.

Magnus Macfarlane-Barrow - Learning journey (Word 762 KB)

Magnus Macfarlane-Barrow - Learning journey (PDF 233 KB)

Robert Louis Stevenson

Robert Louis Stevenson was a Scottish novelist, poet, essayist, and travel writer.

Robert Louis Stevenson - Learning journey (Word 2.4 MB)

Robert Louis Stevenson - Learning journey (PDF 192 KB)

Eric Liddell

Eric Liddell was an inspirational Scottish athlete. Although born in China, he played rugby for Scotland, and was an Olympian for Great Britain.

Eric Liddell - Learning journey (Word 51 KB)

Eric Liddell - Learning journey (PDF 118 KB)

Eric Liddell 100 - Assembly (PPT 51 KB)

Improvement questions

• Can I use this material to contextualise and make links to a topic for my learners?
• Is my teaching about Scotland exciting and contemporary?
• Can I provide personalisation and choice for my learners?
• Can I make good cross curricular links with my teaching about Scotland?
• Are you using inspirational Scots to engage your learners?
• Are you using inspirational Scots to help learners think about potential careers?
• Are you using inspirational Scots to broaden your teaching of enterprise, science, etc.