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HUME or HOME, David (1711-1776)

Historian and philosopher. One of the leading figures of the Enlightenment and author of among others: 'Treatise on Human nature', 'History of England', and 'Inquiry Concerning Human Understanding'. He was librarian to the Faculty of Advocates in Edinburgh (1752-7); secretary to the British Ambassador to Paris (1763-6) where he met leading French intellectuals; and Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department (1767-9).

LIVINGSTONE or LIVINGSTON, David (1813-1873)

Explorer and missionary in Africa. He worked in the local cotton mills until the age of 24 when he took a degree in medicine. He was also ordained as a minister and sent to Africa by the London Missionary Society. He determined to cross that continent from east to west and was the first European to discover the Victoria Falls of the river Zambesi and several major lakes in central Africa. He received a hero's welcome on his return to Britain. After his death on a later expedition his body was brought back to London for burial at Westminster Abbey.

McGREGOR, Robert, known as 'Rob Roy' (1671-1734)

The highland cattle-drover and outlaw immortalised by Sir Walter Scott in his novel 'Rob Roy' and in a 1995 film. He had prolonged disputes with the Dukes of Montrose and Athol, and was present at the Battle of Sheriffmuir although he took no part in it. He took his mother's name, Campbell, when the McGregor surname was proscribed. Despite his lawless existence and the difficult times that he lived through he died peacefully of old age at home in Balquhidder.

Digisted extract from the register recording Robert McGregror's baptism

MUIR, John (1838-1914)

He emigrated to the United States with his parents, Daniel Muir and Ann Gilrye, at an early age. He was a very 'green' person being a leading conservationist and the founder of the National Parks in the United States. The first of these was the Yosemite park in 1864.

PARK, Mungo (1771-1806)

Explorer in Africa. He set out to find the sources of the River Niger but was held prisoner by a Moorish chief for six months until he managed to escape. He later returned to Africa to head an expedition which was to ascertain if the rivers Congo and Niger were one stream. He never returned from this trip and is believed to have drowned in the Niger.

REITH, Lord John Charles Walsham (1889-1971)

Broadcaster. He qualified as a Civil Engineer. He became Director of the British Broadcasting Corporation - the BBC - from 1927 to 1938 and succeeded in forming a broadcasting organisation second to none in the world. He considered that broadcasting should be instructive, uplifting and a means of promoting good moral living as well as being a form of entertainment. He became Minister of Information and Transport (1940) and Minister of Works and Planning (1940-42).

His birth was registered twice - in the district of place of birth (Stonehaven) and that of the usual residence of parents (Glasgow).