Great Scots

Some of the world's most famous explorers come from Scotland. This is David Livingstone, depicted around 1850, riding a cow and surrounded by Africans Photograph: Hulton Archive/Getty Images

The Doctor's sights are set on exploring the universe, not just the Earth. Here is Scottish actor David Tennant in the Doctor Who Christmas special 'Voyage of the Damned', featuring Kylie Minogue Photograph: BBC/PA

Scotland has given birth to many pop stars (though not Kylie). Here, the Bay City Rollers are on top of the Empire State building, a long way from their native Edinburgh Photograph: Sipa Press/Rex Features

Scottish solo musician KT Tunstall performs on the picket line on the other side of the US coast, supporting striking members of the Writers Guild of America at Walt Disney Studios Photograph: Kevin Winter/Getty Images

JK Rowling, author of the Harry Potter books, at work writing her second children's book in an Edinburgh café Photograph: Murdo Macleod

As the world's highest-earning author, Rowling may be in possession of several examples of this: a £20 note, featuring Scottish economist Adam Smith. "What is prudence in the conduct of every private family can scarce be folly in that of a great kingdom," he wrote Photograph: David Levene

Talking of prudence, here is Gordon Brown (birthplace Govan, Glasgow) at the British ambassador's residence in Washington. Barack Obama is not known for being Scottish Photograph: Jonathan Ernst/Reuters

However, Barney, Scottish terrier and incumbent First Dog, is tartan through and through. Here President Bush carries Barney back to Air Force One after Barney wandered away at Andrews Air Force Base Photograph: Susan Walsh/AP

Bush announced earlier this year he was giving up golf. A pity, because golf is said to have been invented in Scotland. A foggy St Andrews hosted the Open golf championship in 2005 Photograph: Tom Jenkins

As well as inventing sports, Scots often play them too. Billy Connolly and Steve Martin watch the games at the Lonach Gathering, held in the grounds of Connolly's home, Candacraig House near Strathdon, Aberdeenshire Photograph: PA

Andy Murray returns a shot to Roger Federer of Switzerland during the men's final match at the US Open tennis tournament at Flushing Meadows in New York Photograph: Kena Betancur/Reuters

Sir Alex Ferguson, another sporting Scot, signs autographs for football fans after a training session in Macau, China Photograph: Sipa Press/Rex Features

Another famous Scottish knight of the realm. Sir Sean Connery wears full highland dress as he walks towards waiting journalists after he was formally knighted by Queen Elizabeth II at Holyrood Palace in Edinburgh Photograph: Reuters

Similarly kitted out are these members of the Hamilton County, Ohio Sheriff's Patrol bagpipe unit, passing over an exhaust ventilation grate in Cincinnati, during the annual St Patrick's Day Parade... Photograph: Michael E Keating/AP

...the kind of wardrobe malfunction that could only be dealt with by Ugly Betty's Christina McKinney, played by Scottish actor Ashley Jensen Photograph: Dean Hendler/ABC

Also a member of the fashion industry, Heidi Klum arrives with Formula One driver David Coulthard at the Laureus Sports Awards ceremony in Monaco. Heidi Klum is not known for being Scottish Photograph: Reuters

The 'Flying Scotsman' passes Micklefield en route to Leeds Photograph: WA Sharman/Corbis

Ewan McGregor, who hit the mainstream in Trainspotting, appears on 'The Tonight Show' with Jay Leno on NBC Photograph: Kevin Winter/Getty Images

After going through this whole gallery, you deserve a wee dram. An assortment of bottled whisky at Glenkinchie distillery Photograph: Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images