Gerard Butler
On June 24, Scotland celebrates Independence Day, a small country geographically, but glorious in tradition and rich in talent. 669 years ago, the Scottish king Robert the Bruce completely defeated the army of the British monarch Edward II and with his valor returned independence to his native country.
We congratulate “the most emotional nation on the planet” (though only the Scots call themselves that) and today we remember the brightest, most talented and charismatic actors, in whose veins the blood of their brave ancestors flows.
The Scottish actor was born on November 12, 1969, and when he was just six months old, his family moved to Canada, but returned to their native Scotland two years later.
In his youth, Gerard's main hobby was karate, he received the title of Master of Masters, studied well, but soon fell in love with cinema. The young man went to his first auditions with his mother (but she was against it, considering this profession frivolous), and soon he began to be invited to productions of the Scottish Youth Theater.
At first, Butler had trouble with his acting profession, and he was forced to get a job at one of the law firms. To avoid wasting away boring work, in the evenings he began to play music group friend. At this point, the future star became depressed and began to abuse alcohol. One day, a friend even managed to catch Gerard just before jumping from the roof of a skyscraper.
This act helped Gerard pull himself together: he successfully began to build a theatrical career in London, and then made his film debut in the film Mrs. Brown. This was followed by bright roles in “The Phantom of the Opera” (Gerard performed all his vocal parts himself), “300 Spartans”, “Law Abiding Citizen”, “Gamer”, “Lara Croft Tomb Raider: The Cradle of Life”, “Rock and Roller” and many other popular paintings.
By the way, on the set of his latest blockbuster “Olympus Has Fallen,” the 43-year-old actor overdid it so much that he didn’t notice how he broke two cervical vertebrae.
The brutal and charming Butler was credited with many novels - for example, with Jennifer Aniston and Jessica Biel - but in lately he is increasingly seen in the company of the Italian model Madalina Ghini.
Gerard Butler
Madalina Ghenie and Gerard Butler
"300 Spartans"
"Law abiding citizen"
"Rock 'n' Roll Man"
"Gamer"
Another pride of Scotland - actor - was born on March 31, 1971 in small town Crieff. He comes from an old Scottish family, which, according to legend, dates back to King Kenneth I.
Evan was a weak student at school, but he passionately loved music - he played the horn and drums in the school choir. And from the age of 9 I dreamed of becoming an actor. At the age of 16, Evan dropped out of school (he was tired of looking like a loser in the shadow of his older brother) and got a job as a stagehand in one of the theaters.
After graduating theater college, McGregor got an agent and got his first role - in the film “Lipstick on Your Collar.” Soon, the aspiring actor met director Danny Boyle, and this acquaintance became key in his career: Evan starred in three of his films - “Trainspotting,” “Shallow Grave” and “Life Worse Than Ordinary.”
In 1995, while filming the TV series K, McGregor met French decorator Yves Mavrakis, and they got married that same year. The couple has two children - Clara Matilda and Esther Rose - and an adopted daughter from Mongolia.
Ewan McGregor
"Trainspotting"
"Star Wars: Episode 3 - Revenge of the Sith"
Next glorious son Scotland can safely be called famous actor James McAvoy, who was born in 1979 in Glasgow.
James for a long time dreamed of becoming a priest, but in his dreams the preacher's cassock was replaced by a military uniform of the US Air Force, and then by the acting path - one of his first roles was participation in the thriller “The Next Room”.
It was then that James realized that he had found his calling: since then, every role of the actor has become an event in the eyes of fans - they warmly greeted both the faun Tumnus in his performance in The Chronicles of Narnia, and Rory O'Shea in the drama... And in my soul I’m dancing,” and the twitched Wesley Gibson in “Wanted,” and the touching lover of Keira Knightley in “Atonement.” One of the latest films, “X-Men: First Class,” also took its rightful place in his track record.
McAvoy could have played Bilbo Baggins, but in the end - much to our hero's regret - the role went to Martin Freeman.
IN personal life James turned out to be a constant guy. For nine years he dated classmate Emma Nelson; the couple broke up due to the actor’s craving for the “green serpent.”
On the set of the TV series Shameless, McAvoy met actress Anne-Marie Duff (she is nine years older than him); they got married in 2006. On June 16, 2010, the couple had a son, Brendan.
James McAvoy
James McAvoy with his wife Anne-Marie Duff
"Jane Austen"
"Redemption"
"...And in my soul I'm dancing"
Sir Thomas Sean Connery born in Edinburgh on August 25, 1930, the son of a laborer and a cleaner. In his youth, Sean worked as a milkman, and then joined the Air Force - from that time he has two tattoos: “Scotland Forever” and “Mum and Dad”.
The future "James Bond" starred in more than 70 films, including seven films about the adventures of agent 007, as well as "The Rock", "Indiana Jones and the Last crusade" and many other works.
People magazine in 1989 recognized Sean as the sexiest man alive, and 10 years later awarded him the title of the sexiest man alive. sexy man centuries.
Sean Connery
Sean Connery as James Bond
Scottish actor, whom many know by sight, but few by name - Alan Cumming- was born on January 27, 1965.
After school, Alan found work as a columnist and magazine editor, and then graduated from the Scottish Royal Academy music and drama in Glasgow. After graduation, Cumming began performing in theatrical productions and play in television projects. And then the time came for the big movie.
Cuming became famous for his roles in Cabaret, Spy Kids, GoldenEye, and X-Men 2. Alan was so loved by the American public that in 2008 he was granted a second citizenship in the United States while retaining his first, British one.
The actor never hid his free views on love; in 1999, he declared himself bisexual and began to actively advocate for the rights of the LGBT movement. Alan was married to his fellow student for eight years, then dated actress Saffron Burrows, and then was in a relationship with director Nick Philippou for several years.
In 2012, Cumming entered into a same-sex marriage with graphic artist Grant Shaffer - after five years of relationship.
Alan Cumming
Also on this day:
In 1812, Napoleon's army crossed the Neman River and invaded the territory Russian Empire. Started Patriotic War 1812.
In 1894, at a congress in Paris, convened on the initiative of Baron Pierre de Coubertin, decisions were made to form the IOC and hold the Olympic Games every four years.
In 1901, the first exhibition of 19-year-old Barcelona artist Pablo Ruiz Picasso opened in Paris.
In 1916, for the first time, the contract amount of a Hollywood star reached seven figures. "America's Sweetheart" Mary Pickford has signed a contract with Paramount Pictures for $1,040,000.
In 1930, the first use of radar to detect aircraft (Anacostia, DC).
In 1934, the capital of Ukraine was moved from Kharkov to Kyiv.
In 1945, the Victory Parade on Red Square. The parade was hosted by Marshal Soviet Union G. K. Zhukov. The parade was commanded by Marshal of the Soviet Union K.K. Rokossovsky. The culmination of the parade was the throwing of Nazi standards and banners at Lenin's mausoleum.
In 1959 in Moscow, Khrushchev promised US Vice President Richard Nixon to show “Kuzka’s mother.”
In 1973, Leonid Brezhnev, during an official visit to the United States, announced that cold war finished.
In 1990, the last concert of Viktor Tsoi and the Kino group took place at the Luzhniki Stadium.
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Photo stills from films
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As with every state, the features of Scotland are unique to this unusual and outlandish country. Scottish specificity is manifested in all aspects of life and is expressed in large quantities outlandish traditions, customs, household items, natural, historical sights, famous people, whose destinies are connected with this country. The most famous facts about Scotland the following can be mentioned:
- The most iconic musical instrument in Scotland is the bagpipe. It is as popular as the balalaika in Russia, the harp in Greece and the banjo in America. In the United Kingdom, there are a lot of jokes about bagpipers, in which they are portrayed as funny rural simpletons. Few people know that bagpipes were invented in India and brought to Scotland by the ancient Romans.
- The first thing that is associated with Scotland is the national plaid men's skirt - the kilt. IN everyday life Only guardsmen wear a kilt, but at festivals, holidays and events you can see this item of clothing on almost every man.
- The country has a myriad of lakes, rivers and fresh water bodies, which in total occupy an area of 950 sq. km. The most mysterious and popular among tourists is Loch Ness. Such excitement is associated with a monster named Nessie that supposedly lives in it.
- Whiskey is the favorite drink of the Scots. Translated from Celtic, the name of the drink translates as “water of life”, and it was originally prescribed as a medicine. The inventor of whiskey is not known for certain, but, according to some hypotheses, scotch was brought into the country from Ireland. Today the brand is officially registered at the state level.
- One more thing accidental invention relate to Scotland. Mac- a piece of clothing that is a waterproof raincoat. The clothing was named after its creator, Charles Mackintosh, who unintentionally soaked the jacket with a rubber solution, after which the fabric stopped allowing water to pass through.
- Most red-haired people live in Scotland. Only 13% of the indigenous population have red hair, and almost half of Scots carry “red” hair color in their genes, meaning their descendants could potentially be red. From time to time, marches in support of red-haired people are held in certain cities, where you can see Scots with curls of all shades.
- The number of Scots living in the country itself and in North America approximately the same. More than 5 million people who are citizens of Canada and the United States consider themselves ethnic Scots.
- Some Hollywood films have been filmed in Scotland. One of the most famous is Braveheart, which won five Oscars in 1995. The film is based on historical period The 13th century, when Scotland was fighting for independence from the British Empire.
- Sean Connery is considered the most famous Scottish actor, who was given a knighthood by Queen Elizabeth II. The screen master played Agent 007 James Bond for 21 years, although he began his career in the Mr. Universe bodybuilding competition, where he took third place.
- The mythical character of the series is familiar to the whole world as Duncan MacLeod- a highlander of all times and peoples. According to legend, at the end of the 16th century, an immortal warrior was born in Scotland, in a beautiful mountainous area.
- It's hard to believe, but honorary citizens Glasgow in 2007 included Scrooge McDuck, the hero of the animated series “DuckTales”. The greedy and enterprising drake was Scottish by birth, and, according to the script, before leaving to work in the USA he was an ordinary shoe shiner.
- Scottish soil gave the world huge number great scientists who made significant contributions to science. The most famous are: Scottish engineer James Watt, after whom the power unit is named; father economic thought Adam Smith; philosopher David Hume; physicist William Kelvin; astronomer James Ferguson.
- Classics of world literature Great Scottish writers are considered - Sir Walter Scott, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and Lord Byron.
- Many highly paid actors have Scottish roots: Gerard Butler, Ewan McGregor, David Tennant, James McAvoy, Dougray Scott. Among the Scottish musicians, Annie Lennox, Angus Young, guitarist of AC/DC, Exploited and Mogwai became legends.
- Little known fact- Russian poet Mikhail Lermontov was a descendant of a native of Scotland. At the beginning of the 17th century, Georg Lermont, with the rank of lieutenant, joined the ranks of the Russian army, after which he adapted his surname in the Russian manner and converted to Orthodoxy.
- Record holder for the shortest duration of a scheduled flight considered a flight connecting two Scottish islands - Papa Westray and Westray. In total, passengers fly for two minutes, with the runway of one island visible from the other.
- Castles are considered the most popular Scottish attractions. They have been preserved in the country from different times huge amount. The most visited is Edinburgh Castle, located in the capital of the state. An amazing feature of the citadel is that it was built approximately in the 11th-12th centuries on the top of an ancient extinct volcano.
- The Scottish legal system interprets verdicts in criminal cases in a rather unique way. The judge has three possible verdicts: “not guilty”, “guilty” and “guilty”. crime committed has no evidence."
- The Scots are famous inventors, who remake many things with wonderful originality. For example, in 2002, the country built a one-of-a-kind engineering structure, the Falkir Wheel, a carousel elevator designed for the passage of ships between Edinburgh and Glasgow. The purpose of creating the canal was to combat the difference in water level, thanks to which barges and ships sail from one water reservoir to another in 15-20 minutes. The total height of the elevator is 35 meters, which corresponds to a 12-story building.
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Gerard Butler is a popular Scottish actor and producer. Born November 13, 1969. Gerard Butler gained wide fame and popularity thanks to his roles in films such as “The Phantom of the Opera” (2004), “300” (2006) and “RocknRolla” (2008). In total, to date the actor has acted in more than 48 films and television series, including: “A Man Like Hot Deposits” 2012, “Gamer” 2009, “The Naked Truth” 2009, “The Reign of Fire” 2002, “Dracula 2000” 2000, etc.
Ewan Gordon McGregor was born on March 31, 1971 in Creef, Portshire, Scotland. Already by the age of 9, he correctly decided for himself that he would definitely become an actor - very few of them modern stars could boast of such confidence in his future. Evan studied with his brother Colin at private Academy Morison, where their dad Jim was a physical education teacher. Evan came close to realizing his dream of becoming an actor only at the age of 16.
David Tennant (born David John McDonald, born David John McDonald) is a Scottish actor who played the role of the Tenth Doctor in the television series Doctor Who. No less popular are his roles as Casanova in the 2005 British television series Casanova, as well as Barty Crouch Jr. in the film Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.
Full name- James Andrew McAvoy. Before becoming an actor, James was planning to go to navy. James's parents divorced when the future actor was seven.
Robbie Coltrane (real name Anthony Robert Macmillan, born March 30, 1950, Rutherglen, South Lanarkshire, Scotland, UK) is a Scottish film and television actor, comedian, screenwriter, and producer. He is best known for his role as Dr. Eddie "Fitz" Fitzgerald in the British television series Cracker and Hagrid's Method in the Harry Potter film series, and for his role as Sister Inviolata in the film Nuns on the Run.
James Dewar (eng. James Dewar, September 20, 1842, Kincardine-on-Forth, Scotland - March 27, 1923, London) - Scottish physicist and chemist. In 1861 he graduated from Edinburgh University. In 1867-1869 Trained at the University of Bonn with F.A. Kekule. From 1869 he worked at the Veterinary College of Edinburgh. In 1875-1923. - Professor at Cambridge University, 1877-1923. - Royal Institution of London. President of the Chemical Society of London from 1897 to 1899
Alexander Mackenzie was born in Stornway, Scotland in 1764. He served his entire adult life with the Northwestern Fur Company. While trading with the Indians, Mackenzie repeatedly heard stories from them about a certain waterway in Pacific Ocean. In 1789, Mackenzie managed to reach this path. In addition to himself, McKenzie's group included 12 other men.
Shirley Anne Manson was born on August 26, 1966 in Edinburgh, Scotland. She began her music career in Edinburgh in the early 1980s. One of the most significant events her life at that time became service with local group"Goodbye Mr. Mackenzie", in which she played keyboards and was responsible for backing vocals.
Dougray Scott is a famous Scottish film actor and producer. Born November 25, 1965. Today, Dougray Scott is one of the most sought-after actors in modern cinema. The actor has acted in more than 60 films and television series, including: “7 Days and Nights with Marilyn” 2011, “Kitchen of Love” 2011, “New City Killers” 2008, “The Perfect Creation” 2006, “ Poet" 2003, etc.
Simon Newcomb (English: Simon Newcomb; March 12, 1835, Wallace, Nova Scotia - July 11, 1909, Washington) was an American economist, astronomer and physicist of Canadian origin. Studied at Harvard. He taught mathematics and astronomy at Johns Hopkins University. Knight of the Legion of Honor (1893). Included in the list of “one hundred great economists before Keynes” according to M. Blaug. In 1861-77 professor of mathematics in Maritime Academy and observational astronomer at the Naval Observatory in Washington.
Allan Pinkerton is a famous American detective, founder of a detective agency originally from Scotland. Born August 25, 1819. Allan Pinkerton began his detective career in 1846 as a sheriff. Four years later, in 1850, he founded his own detective agency. The main focus of the agency's work was the prevention and investigation of thefts on railway. The most important professional achievements Allan Pinkerton is responsible for investigating the grand theft of $700,000 from the Adams Express railroad company and foiling the 1861 assassination attempt on President Lincoln.
Stevenson's little-known literary anecdotes rank among the most caustic, witty and laconic in English literature. He wrote poems occasionally and rarely took them seriously.
The Scots played key roles in Russian history, served in the Russian army and reformed it.
The history of Russian-Scottish relations is long, but scientists still cannot reliably establish when exactly it began. It is known, for example, that already in 1495 the ambassador of the Danish king Christian I, Peter Davidson, arrived in Moscow. He arrived in Russia on a ship with “copper... and four excellent craftsmen from Scotland who have experience in casting such half-hoses and whole hoses.” That is, the first Scottish guest workers were in Russia already in the 15th century.
In Russia, already in the 16th century, the Scots were not perceived as something unusual, as some kind of “overseas miracle.” The Scots quite successfully served as mercenaries in the Russian army. In the 18th century, the Scotsman Ogilvy, a favorite of Peter I, would achieve Russian military career and completely unimaginable heights - he will rise to the rank of field marshal-lieutenant general, will be the commander-in-chief of the Russian army and will even try to reform it. It was Ogilvy who compiled the first staffing table Russian army.
Jimmy vs Tatars
In the 16th century, Russia disputed disputed territories with Sweden, and there was a war. Thus, the first Scots in the Russian army were Scots from among the prisoners. Jerome Horsey wrote in his Russian notes that he personally ensured that the captured Scots were transferred to Moscow, and also convinced the Tsar that the Scots were not at all the same as the enemies of Russia, the Livonians, Poles and Swedes. According to Horsey's definition, the Scots of that time were “a nation of wandering adventurers, mercenaries for military service, ready to serve any Christian sovereign for maintenance and salary." The Tsar listened to Horsey. From that time on, the Scots became part of the Russian army.
Jimmy Linget can be considered the first officially established Scot in Russian service. It is known about him that back in the 16th century he led a detachment of Scottish mercenaries in the service of the Russian Tsar.
According to Horsey, the Scottish detachment fought "more successfully than twelve thousand Russians with their short bows and arrows." It was all about firearms Scots. " Crimean Tatars, who did not know guns and pistols before, were scared to death by the shooting cavalry, which they had not seen before, and screamed."
The king, of course, was pleased with this efficiency, so he showed mercy to the Scots - he began to grant the Scots lands on which they could live and start families. It must be said that not many Scots went back. Jimmy Linget also remained in Russia.
Let's not forget that one of the Russian classics, Mikhail Lermontov, had Scottish roots. His ancestor, Georg Lermont, arrived in Russia from Lithuania in early XVII century. In Moscow, Georg became Yuri Andreevich. The Russian Tsar greeted the guest as expected: he presented him with a couple of villages and signed him up for service. It was this Georg Lermont who became the founder of the Russian branch of the Lermontovs.
It is also interesting that the Russian poet Lermontov is also a blood relative of George Gordon Byron, since back in the 16th century the blood of the Gordons and Lermontovs united. Hence our poet's fatalism and penchant for romanticism. And Lermontov’s most distant Scottish ancestor was, by the way, also a poet - Thomas Lermont. He was called a seer, he dared to predict the death of the king himself, and was not mistaken in his forecast, for which he received the nickname “Honest”. According to legend, when the time came for Thomas to die, two white deer came for him and took him to the kingdom of fairies, but he said that he would return to earth again and be a poet again.
There is still a group working in Scotland that makes up genetic map all descendants of Learmont. Scientists are faced with one problem: the Russian Lekrmontovs are not willing to make contact.
What about Leslie?
The Scottish military was convenient for the Russian army because, as a rule, they had good connections in other countries. During any war, it was often more productive to hire several thousand mercenaries into service than to organize a full mobilization in a country living by peasant labor. Who will feed the people?
In the first third of the 17th century, a certain Alexander Leslie, senior colonel, the son of a famous Scottish military leader, found himself in the Russian army. His voyage for the army, for 5000 “willing soldiers and foot soldiers” ended in success. He concluded agreements with German and English colonels for the delivery of 5,000 mercenaries to Russia. Moreover, one of the four regiments was recruited from only the English and Scots.
In 1631-1632 this regiment takes part in the siege of Smolensk and the capture of Dorogobuzh. In 1654, with the rank of general, Alexander Leslie took part in the capture of Smolensk and the siege of Riga.
Mysterious Bruce
One of the most famous and mysterious Russian Scots is Jacob Bruce. He was one of the closest associates of Peter I, field marshal general (1726). Participated in the Crimean (1687, 1689) and Azov (1695, 1696) campaigns of Peter I, for the command of Russian artillery in Battle of Poltava In 1709 he was awarded the Order of St. Andrew the First-Called. Participated in the foundation of St. Petersburg on May 16, 1703. Signed the Treaty of Nystadt.
In 1721, Bruce received the title of Count of the Russian Empire. August 30, 1725 awarded the order St. Alexander Nevsky.
In 1706, the Moscow Civil Printing House was transferred to the jurisdiction of Bruce. Its most famous publication was the astrological reference book “” (1709-1715).
Bruce was one of the most educated people in Russia, a natural scientist and astronomer, and owned the largest library (about 1500 volumes), almost exclusively of scientific, technical and reference content. He did not study anywhere and achieved everything through self-education.
Bruce's contribution is difficult to overestimate. He compiled Russian-Dutch and Dutch-Russian dictionaries, the first Russian textbook on geometry, and “Map of lands from Moscow to Asia Minor.” In 1702 he opened the first observatory in Russia at the Navigation School (he was its director) in the Sukharev Tower. Popular rumor attributed to Bruce the fame of a warlock and sorcerer.
Barclay de Tolly was also descended from an old Scottish family. The first time he distinguished himself was during the assault on Ochakov, when he saved the wounded Prince of Anhalt from death. The prince will not forget his adjutant and will promote Mikhail in his career. On April 19, 1790, in the battle of Kernikoski, the prince was mortally wounded and died in the arms of Barclay.
Before his death, Anhalt will give Mikhail Bogdanovich his sword, which twenty-eight years later he will order to be put with him in the coffin, although he will have swords with both diamonds and gold hilts.
The Patriotic War of 1812 became the brightest page in military biography M.B. Barclay de Tolly. Knowing the strategy of Emperor Napoleon - to defeat the enemy in general battle on the border and force him to peace - Barclay begins a retreat to unite the scattered Russian forces and prevent the French marshals from breaking them piece by piece. His actions were subject to intense criticism from the generals, and the nobility began to demand his resignation. As a result, the emperor appoints Kutuzov as commander-in-chief. Barclay was also the first to express the idea of leaving Moscow, but even then his words were not heard.
