burns night: ten scottish stars & their cars

Burns Night is an annual Scottish tradition and celebration of poet Robert Burns. His most famous poem being Auld Lang Syne, which we’ve all sang on New Year’s Eve, whether we really know the words or not! Traditionally, Burns Night celebrations consist of hearty haggis meals and a whiskey or two. But here at motorly, we’re celebrating Burns Night a little differently by shining a light on 10 Scottish Stars & Their Cars. See if you can guess who made our list…

Which football managing legend banned young players from driving supercars to training, and has a surprising passion for electric vehicles? Which famous actor loves an old original VW Beetle? Plus, which Game of Thrones stars drove off from their Wedding in an unexpected old four-wheeler? Find out in our celebration of Burns Night as we run through 10 Scottish Stars and Their Cars. 

10. Rose Leslie

Everyone’s favourite wildling redhead Ygritte AKA Rose Leslie, married her fellow Game of Thrones star John Snow AKA Kit Harrington in June 2018, and their choice of wedding car was somewhat unexpected.

The couple drove off from their ceremony in Aberdeenshire, Scotland in a battered old 1991 Land Rover Defender 90.

9. Sir Andy Murray

Tennis champion and Scottish hero Sir Andy Murray has recently switched to being fully electric with the Jaguar I-Pace. Murray became one of the very early owners of this Jaguar all-electric model on World Environment Day 2018, to show his support for sustainable living and the environment.

8. Lulu

In 2019 there was an auction of both Sir Cliff Richard and Lulu’s vehicles. Lulu, or Marie McDonald McLaughlin Lawrie once owned this Mercedes-Benz 280SE 3.5 Coupé, in deep red with black leather interior. The shout singer owned the vehicle for three years and its guide price at auction was a cool £65 – £75,000.

7. David Byrne

David Byrne the lead singer of Talking Heads is known for the lyrics from Once In A Lifetime,

“And you may find yourself behind the wheel of a large automobile”

Although famously known for singing of the above-mentioned automobile, Byrne is in fact, a keen cyclist. He has actively campaigned in support of cycling. He even published a book, Bicycle Diaries where the reader accompanies David on a round-the-world bicycle tour. David also created an art installation project throughout NYC, which consisted of several bike racks dotted around the city, as pictured below. We appreciate his care for the environment – and wanted to throw in a curveball!

6. Annie Lennox

Flashback to Annie Lennox posing on what we think is an MK 11 Ford Zephyr or Consul. Do you have any other ideas on what model this could be? We love the picture regardless. The Queen of cool.

5. Billy Connolly

The original Scottish alternative comedian and living legend Billy Connolly is a well-known petrol head – he also loves a trike too! For his ITV programme Ultimate World Tour, Billy drove across Florida in a Red Chevy Impala, and quite the outfit.

4. Ewan McGregor

This Scottish cinema icon has a lesser-known passion for classic VW Beetle’s. His obsession began when he bought his first one at 16, and it didn’t stop there.

But our favourite Ewan McGregor motoring moment is when Renton gets hit by a car in the opening scene of Trainspotting, with Iggy Pop’s iconic Lust For Life playing as he stomps down the pavement.

3. J.K. Rowling

There isn’t much information on J.K. Rowling’s vehicles, apart from that she is known to own several different cars. They aren’t as extravagant as you might expect from an almost billionaire. J.K. is famous for keeping a low profile. She has famously donated vast sums of money to charity, so much so that she lost her billionaire status through donations.

Given there aren’t many details on J.K. Rowling’s cars, let’s be honest, we all know the best J.K. Rowling vehicle is undoubtedly the Weasley’s Flying Ford Anglia. This gravity-defying motorcar from Rowling’s imagination mystified muggles everywhere as it flew across London in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. Plus, a flying car just had to make our list.

2. Sean Connery

Back in 2018, Mr Bond sold his 1964 Jensen CV8 for a whopping £135,000. As the original (and arguably the best) 007 in movie history, we would expect him to have a major love for cars, and more than a few incredible motors in his collection when considering the iconic vehicles he drove as British secret service agent James Bond.

1. Sir Alex Ferguson

Former Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson had disputes with younger players who dared to turn up to football training in their supercars. He insisted that young footballers had to drive normal cars to the training ground, to keep a sense of level-headedness that they were encouraged to carry into the changing rooms, training ground and ultimately the pitch.

“Sir Alex didn’t like young players getting above themselves. He hated anyone showing their wealth before they had done anything in life or the game.” Said former Manchester United striker David Bellion of his former boss.

Back in 2012, he couldn’t have looked any happier rocking up to Old Trafford in his electric chevy – ahead of the curve as always! This is certainly a different and refreshing approach to many football stars today, which is why Fergie gets our number 1 spot.

If you fancy a new car or want to take inspiration from any of our Scottish Starts, you can apply for car, bike, caravan or van finance with motorly – Apply Today!

Or if you want to drive like a star then simply enter this BOTB competition below! ?