August

Were it not for John Logie Baird, who was born in Dunbartonshire in August 1888, Scottish Television almost certainly wouldn’t have taken to the air in August 1957. Baird’s influence continues to be felt around the world, and Scottish Television’s influence continues within the UK. Over the years since its first appearance, it has been responsible for some of the most watched programmes on the British independent television network, including the long-running Glasgow-set detective drama, Taggart.

August was the month in which David Couper Thomson was born. He would go on to found Dundee publisher DC Thomson. It also saw the arrival of engineer Thomas Telford and political martyr Thomas Muir. Reaching the ends of their lives were King James II, who was killed by an exploding cannon; King Duncan, a version of whose death featured in Shakespeare’s play, Macbeth; and William Wallace, who was executed in London.

The Tay Road Bridge opened in August 1966, St Kilda was abandoned, and the first Edinburgh International Festival opened in the nation’s capital. It was also the month in which the first recorded ascent of Ben Nevis took place. Botanist James Robertson ventured to the top and, on his return, helpfully noted that the summit “far overtops the surrounding hills”.