Sport

Mhairi Davidson was born on 3rd May 1994 at the Vale of Level Hospital, the eldest of three children, to parents Keith and Penny.

She grew up in Helensburgh, attending Hermitage Primary and later Hermitage Academy.

She started fencing at the age of 10 with her father as her coach.

Scottish Fencing is the governing body of the sport of fencing in Scotland. Each year they hold a championship competition for school-aged children in Under 14, Under 16 and Over 16 age bands.

Luke Patience loves the sea. In fact he loves it so much he has stated that he wished he’d been born with gills!

Edward, or Eddy as he is known, Whyte was born in Gourock on the 7th February 1956. The son of an MOD Policeman (of the same name), Eddy spent his early years in Rosyth, Fife, where his passion for football was ignited by the fact that he lived a few doors down from Alex Edwards of Dunfermline, the player that Jock Stein gave his league debut to just five days after his 16th birthday in February 1962, making him the youngest outfield player to ever play in a Scottish Football League match.

Peter Mark Such was born on the June 12, 1964 in Helensburgh and although remembered as an English cricket star, his place of birth did lead to him seriously thinking about playing for Scotland in the World Cup some years ago.

After a short period of time in Helensburgh, his family moved South to Nottinghamshire.

Oliphant (Olly) Biggar Ross was born in Onich, near Fort William, on the 31st December 1944. At the age of nine, Olly moved with his family to Helensburgh, a town that was not unfamiliar to him having visited it many times to see his Grandparents.

Angus was born on 7th January 1958, one of four sons to Archie, a local school janitor, and Violet McCuaig of Garelochhead. He attended Garelochhead primary school and later Helensburgh’s Hermitage Academy. Throughout his childhood, Gus (as he is universally known) displayed a real aptitude for sport with football being his main love.

Stuart was born at the Queen Mothers Hospital, Glasgow on the 21st August 1986 and until leaving for Stirling University, has lived in Helensburgh all his life. He spent his schooling years at Hermitage Primary School and Hermitage Academy.

Stuart joined Helensburgh Swimming Club where he trained under Bobby McGregor and entered several competitions. But it was the influence of local man and family friend Frank McShane, that convinced Stuart that his natural sporting talents would be best utilised in the gruelling field of the triathlon.

Despite his parents living in Helensburgh, Stephen Park, known universally throughout the yachting community as ‘Sparky’, was actually born in Glasgow on the 24th February 1968. He attended Hermitage Primary School and Hermitage Academy, and learnt his sailing in Mirror dinghies and 420s at Helensburgh Sailing Club. With his brother Ian, also a keen sailor, they represented the Academy and won the Scottish Schools Championship. It was an indicator of things to come.

Derek James Parlane was born on the 5th May 1953 in Helensburgh. Following in the footsteps of his father Jimmy Parlane, Derek grew up to become a professional footballer who had a distinguished club career and also represented his country at international level. Father Jimmy had represented Rangers during the war years and for a short while after hostilities ended.

Murdo Davidson MacLeod was born in Milngavie on 24 September 1958.

A long time resident of Helensburgh and a successful businessman, Murdo will always be remembered on the West Coast for his legendary footballing career.

MacLeod made his name with Dumbarton in 1974 before moving to Celtic in 1978. During his nine years there he helped win five league titles, two Scottish Cups and one League Cup. He also has the distinction of scoring the greatest ever Old Firm goal as voted by Celtic supporters in 2000