Archive Hour: ‘I am very proud of my Dumbarton origins,’ says Sir Jackie Stewart

THE most famous son of the Rock, Sir Jackie Stewart, took time out of his busy schedule to speak to the Reporter in the very house where he was born.

The F1 legend said: “I can see a lot of changes in the town and I have really enjoyed having a look around. The centre of Dumbarton and Dumbarton East is just the same though, and some of Bellsmyre is pretty similar.”

During the chat in his old Milton house, Rockview on the A82, where he lived until he was 23, he revealed he maintains close ties with the area.

He said: “I lived in this house all my life and my best friend John Lindsay still owns the garage so I’ve been coming back over the years.

“I remember that we were never allowed in the sitting room, so we basically lived in the living room where we had breakfast, lunch and tea — I was even born on the table in this room.

“It’s a busier road now and the trees have grown up a lot because you used to be able to see the Rock and the Clyde from our window.”

“I have made the most of my trip home because my two sons, John [Lindsay] and I all went up Ben Lomond yesterday.

"It was tough and although I’m in reasonable shape John had to work at it.”

Speaking about the plaque which now marks his former home and reads: Winner of three Formula One world titles - 1969, 1971 and 1973 Sir Jackie Stewart “The Flying Scot” was born here 11 June 1939, Sir Jackie said: “The blue plaque going on the house is terrific because I usually only associate them with famous people - so it’s all a bit strange.”

Before he was awarded the Freemanship of West Dunbartonshire, Sir John Young Stewart OBE spent the day meeting friends and visited Knoxland Primary and Dumbarton Academy.