Women in Scottish History Challenge, 2021

We set a competition for Scottish pupils to research women from Scottish history who have perhaps been forgotten, or ought to be more widely known. Pupils were able to present their findings in any way that suited them, and we have been absolutely bowled over by the number of entrants, and the high quality of research and thought that has gone into the challenge. Picking winners was very challenging indeed, and we are so impressed with the work done by Scottish pupils on this project. Below are the submissions that stand out as truly exceptional, and we hope that you enjoy finding out more about some of Scotland’s heroines from them.

Competition Winners

Janet Harvey – A fascinating narrative style story, written by Rowan Whitworth of Linlithgow Academy about Janet Harvey, a forgotten Scottish heroine of WW2

Janet Harvey

Margaret Macdonald – A creative website about Margaret Macdonald, often forgotten wife of Charles Rennie Mackintosh, put together by Tailor Brown of Larbert High School

Margaret Macdonald

Isabella Elder – We really enjoyed the video on Isabella Elder, created by Zoha Subtain of Eastwood High School, providing lots of insight into the first Scottish woman to be awarded an honorary doctorate for her work in trying to help poorer women

Isabella Elder

Runners Up

There were a number of submissions which were truly excellent, presenting interesting and important stories which we felt really have to be shared.

Margaret Allan – A quite incredible story of a woman who was both a racing driver and a code breaker during WW2, as told by one of her relatives, Beth Allan.

Margaret Allan

Rose Reilly – A fascinating story of Scottish footballer Rose Reilly, put together by Charlie Templeton from Grange Academy

Rose Reilly

James Barry – the quite incredible story of a woman who took on a man’s identity so she could study and practice medicine, written by Terri McGovern of Thurso High School

James Barry

Flora MacDonald – a name a few people might know, but a person not many know much about. Her story has been really well put together by Mya Shand of St Joseph’s Academy

Flora MacDonald