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SCOTTISH STORIES
Faces, eyes and hands
of Scotland's Silent
Heroes
Scotland is the most beautiful place on Earth and what makes the country special is not only it’s wonderful nature, wildlife, history and culture, but the people who are born and bred there. There are unassuming, hardworking folk scattered across Scotland, passionate about their jobs, tradition or craft, they are quiet and often overlooked. It is only when you venture further afield in the country and speak to local people that you get a feeling for what life is like in their shoes. The White Rose Guild acknowledges how important these people are to Scotland, it sees them as silent heroes.
For those born in Scotland, their heart remains in Scotland. They might travel the world, but they will always come back to the place they love and call home. They are creative and inspiring people; they excel in their craft and traditions. The Scots are proud of their roots and history and will often continue the way of life of which generations have done so before them.
The White Rose Guild is passionate about the silent heroes of Scotland. The people that often have little exposure on social media, the work they do is rarely in the spotlight, as it may be seen as ordinary. We want to provide a platform for them to be recognised and show how their everyday jobs make Scotland the great country it is.
Hear their voices, listen to their unique stories and sense the belonging to Scotland. Their faces, eyes and hands portray their personality and the work they do for a living. We offer you an opportunity to listen to the storytelling of local people and reflect on how they help shape Scotland as one of the world’s favourite travel destinations.
CAROL BEGG
Dog Rescuer
Silent Hero of Scotland
Listen ......... to Carol's Story (2m : 00s)
“I’ve grown up with animals all my life. I grew up surrounded by them on my uncle’s and aunt’s farms. We had every animal under the sun! I was always the kid that brought home every waif and stray.
I moved to Perthshire and in the country, people would give me dogs that they could no longer look after. I would take them on and find homes for them. I then started my own dog walking/day care service business.
After the death of two young Labradors I took on, I decided to do something in their memory and officially started Perthshire Gun Dog Rescue.
The more I got involved in dog rescue, I realised many of the owners who gave them away needed help. People were giving up their dogs for various personal reasons and problems. I have now converted a property to have guest accommodation to help these people, as well as day care space for the dogs.”
Carol
DANIEL SWEENEY
Bagpiper
Silent Hero of Scotland
Listen ......... to Daniel's Story (1m : 29s)
“I have been playing bagpipes since I was 10 years old, when I first watched my brothers play in a pipe band and I was asked if I would like to play.
I enjoy playing bagpipes, as it’s the traditional instrument of Scotland and now I travel the world to play. It started as fun but now it’s a business and it’s great to get paid to do the thing that you love, while helping bring Scottish music to the world.”
Daniel
MICHAEL JOB
Blacksmith
Silent Hero of Scotland
Listen ......... to Michael's Story (2m : 31s)
“I am an Artist Blacksmith, which means I will create a range of items from a fire tool to a public sculpture.
Traditionally, Blacksmiths were used for many tasks in farming communities to repair equipment and make things such as horseshoes, hoes, shovels and racks. Now a common job is to create gates and railings and use reliable modern joints.
I am passionate about forging, as it’s great fun, highly creative, technical and physical. I enjoy the process, to start with something plain and linear to produce something completely organic.”
Michael
ALASTAIR MACLEAN
Mountain Rescuer
Silent Hero of Scotland
Listen ......... to Alastair's Story (3m : 21s)
“I am a member of Lomond Mountain Rescue team. It is very rewarding working with a team of volunteers, who are always looking out for each other and have a genuine love of the outdoors and mountain environment. We give our time to help others who have got into difficulty on the mountains and we will assist them down or in some cases stretcher them down or arrange for them to be airlifted to hospital.
I have a great love for mountaineering and rock climbing. Back in 2000, my partner and I had an accident on a mountain and it was an eye-opening experience. It was interesting to see how everything worked from the rescuer’s perspective and since then, I felt an urge to offer something back and get involved in some way.”
Alastair
JOHN CUNNINGHAM
Headmaster
Silent Hero of Scotland
Listen ......... to John's Story (3m : 42s)
“I was born in St. Andrews and raised in Anstruther. I went to university in Edinburgh for a few years but then returned to the East Neuk of Fife, as many of the locals do. It’s amazing how many people come back to Pittenweem. I was a civil engineer, became a teacher and subsequently a Headmaster.
Growing up, there were clever kids who could have gone to university but left school early because their family had a boat and there was money to be made in fishing. The fishing industry has struggled since then with large boats scooping everything at once and reducing stocks.
In the past, you could walk from pier to pier on drifter boats but now you can actually walk pier to pier on yachts in harbour and that’s amazing. We would never have imagined that in the past.”
John
WILLIAM MCNAUGHTON
Retired Scottish Minister
Silent Hero of Scotland
Listen ......... to William's Story (3m : 32s)
“I am a retired Scottish Minister. I’ve never been conscious of any great mission during my time as a Minister of Religion. I don’t admit to having all the answers and I feel afraid of people who do.
I’ve been associated with Pittenweem, where I live, since I was 6 years old. I’m involved in the community from the church and through Pittenweem Fisherman’s Memorial Association, founded about 5 years ago to raise awareness of the fishing heritage here.
Over 400 men have lost their lives at sea in the East Neuk, so we wanted to raise money to erect a memorial sculpture of a woman and boy looking out to sea to commemorate this tragedy.
When men’s lives were lost, it was the women and children who had to suffer and carry on with their own lives. The local folk appreciate the new sculpture and feel connected to it.”
Willie
JOE MURPHY
Product/Industrial Designer
Silent Hero of Scotland
Listen ......... to Joe's Story (3m : 39s)
“I’ve been an Industrial Designer for the past 30 years and I love the materials and equipment involved in my projects. I am retired but have always worked in design on assembly, aesthetics, ergonomics and rendering ideas.
Nothing is made from a drawing anymore. Today everything comes from data. For those who make drawings now, it’s like living in the Victorian era. In the past, you would have 1 or 2 people working on a drawing and now a team of people is involved.
British designers provide a global service and often work with people in other countries like India and China. We operate in a high-volume market and the first design has to be as good as the last one in manufacturing.”
Joe
Do you have a story to tell or want to nominate a silent hero?
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