Published: Tuesday, 5th August, 2008 10:30
Plans to honour son of the Rock
By Andrew Gibson
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John Lindsay, Jackie Stewart and his late brother Jimmy Stewart
Pic by: Stewart Robertson
PREPARATIONS are under way to offer Dumbarton’s favourite son the keys to the town.
Racing legend Sir Jackie Stewart was born in his family home in Milton on June 1939 and went on to win three Formula One titles in 1969, 1971 and 1973.
He worked as an apprentice mechanic in his father’s Dumbuck garage, the Burgh man went on to become one of the greatest racing drivers of all time.
And now West Dunbartonshire Council (WDC) is stepping up its campaign to have the legendary son of the Rock honoured.
If councillors rubberstamp the plans, a plaque will be placed at Jackie’s former home in Milton, and the racing hero will receive the freedom of Dumbarton and West Dunbartonshire.
George Black, Dumbarton councillor, planned to table the proposals at a council corporate cultural sub-committee yesterday (Monday).
He said: “Everything is tentative at this present time, but there is an intention and a will to do this.
“Some reporting has been a bit premature, but there is an aspiration to have the council bestow this honour on Jackie Stewart."
The Reporter understands that The Flying Scot — which is Jackie’s nickname by racing fans — has yet to be contacted about the plans to honour him.
Provost Denis Agnew, who has been at the heart of ideas to honour Jackie, says he is hopeful the former racing driver will accept the gift.
He said: “I am very keen that people from West Dunbartonshire, who are of significant importance in our lives, should be honoured in the best way that this council can."
Jackie, 69, who now lives in Switzerland, returned to his birthplace late last year on a promotional tour of his autobiography, Winning is Not Enough.
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