The exhibition features contemporary photographs of key
personalities who have made a unique contribution to the image of
Scotland nationally and internationally.
Some are not Scots by birth but have an affinity to
Scotland. All have raised the profile of Scotland nationally
and internationally.
This is what some of them had to say about what ties them to
Scotland and the objects that affiliate them to Scotland.
Brian Cox
"The light and the land"
"The haggis, the heather and the kilt"
Chris Hoy
"My family, my home and the people. I was born and raised in
Edinburgh and the more I travel, the more I appreciate how
fortunate I am to have such a unique country that I can call my
home."
"Edinburgh Castle. It's such an iconic symbol associated with
Scotland and whenever I see it, it always reminds me of home."
Ian Rankin
"Roots, and hope for the future; a sense of place and history;
the strength of the people."
"The artefact that ties me to Scotland is probably the Forth
Bridge, by which I mean the rail bridge. It connects my
birthplace (Fife) with my home (Edinburgh). Every time I see
it or cross over it, I'm astonished by its geometry and intricacy,
and reminded of the workers who built it."
Jack White
"My father’s side of the family is scottish, and several
generations before me came through Nova Scotia before moving to
Detroit."
"I had a full dress kilt made from my clans hunting tartan,
MacPherson, on a trip to Scotland. I wear It often, and most
memorably at my father's funeral as a pallbearer."
Sir Jackie Stewart
What ties you to Scotland?
"The beauty of the Country, my Scottishness, because I was born,
bred and lived in Scotland until I was nearly thirty years of age,
the many friends I have in Scotland and the closeness of the
Scottish community around the world."
John Bellany
"My roots are in Scotland. Scotland has formed and touched my
soul and although I travel the world my heart always belongs to
Scotland in my deepest thoughts and feelings and I know this will
continue forever until my dying day it permeate's all my work with
such enourmous vigor, that it really is the core of every brush
stroke I make on canvas. I Love you, Scotland."
Neve Cambell
"My father is from Glasgow and when he was a child my family
moved to Canada. Like many Scottish Canadians much of his heart has
always been drawn toward his home country, and so throughout my
childhood there was an ever present air and subtle sense of
Scotland surrounding me. An attachment at the time to a place that
I didn't yet know but knew I was going to love."
Rosanne Cash
"My heart and soul, as well as my ancient ancestry, tie me to
Scotland. When I go to Scotland, I feel I am at a deeper level of
'home' than I experience in my own home in New York City, which I
love. I feel safe in Scotland, and known."
"The artifacts are not as important as the feeling, although I
do love my pearl ring which I bought on the High Street in
Falkland, and I love my teapot which I bought in the same
town. Artifacts of a more temporal nature are the
performances I have given in Scotland… and I remember the audiences
and the feeling of belonging. That is a powerful
connection."
Sir Alex Ferguson
"Apart from it being my birthplace I think it is the sheer
determination and success of the Scottish people all over the
world. It makes me proud to be Scottish that when I am in England I
always think how well the Scots have done and when I return to
Scotland I get a great sense of pride at all the achievements the
Scots have made, and in every walk of life too."