GREAT SCOTS

David Hume (1711–76): A leading philosopher and political economist in the Scottish, British and European Enlightenment. Hume influenced Emanuel Kant and Charles Darwin.

Adam Smith (1723–90): Political economist and philosopher, and the man who is considered to be the father of modern economic theory. He is still hugely influential more than two centuries after his death.

Robert Burns (1759–96): Scotland’s national poet, Burns is celebrated every year on Burn’s Night, 25 January, with fireworks, parties and a Burns supper of haggis.

Alexander Graham Bell (1847–1922): Inventor and scientist who patented the telephone.