Duncan Macrae (20 August 1905 – 23 March 1967) was one of Scotland’s best known actors.

He worked on stage, on television, radio and in cinema. To relax he had a second home, away from Glasgow, in Millport at Dundonald Villa on Kames Bay.

He was born in Glasgow at 118 Kirkland Street, in Maryhill. He was the fourth of six children and his father, James, was a sergeant in the police force and his mother was Catherine Graham, both of whom were Gaelic-speakers from Assynt.

He attended Glasgow University to study engineering but never graduated preferring acting. Duncan would spend the first 20 years of his acting career as an amateur while teaching in Glasgow. He had trained as a schoolteacher at Jordanhill College where he met Ann H. McAllister, who was a voice coach and she had a profound influence on his life.

Macrae was an advocate of Scottish Independence, of the Scots language and this had an impact on his acting career. At the time, Scotland had no professional acting drama, instead it was necessary to head to London or join an English repertory company to forge out an acting career. He tried this for a brief spell, heading to London to understudy Alastair Sim, but did not enjoy it, preferring instead to return to Scotland to work for a Scottish company.

He was co-founder of Glasgow’s Citizen Theatre in 1943 and finally turned professional as an actor. For his early acting years before featuring in acclaimed films such as Whisky Galore! (1949) and Tunes of Glory (1960). He also featured in the James Bond spoof film Casino Royale (1967). In television he was Para Handy in the first adaptation of Neil Munro’s tales. Later in the 1960s he was cast in The Prisoner (1967) and The Avengers (1969) both cult television shows. He still remained committed to the theatre, starring alongside Laurence Olivier in the Orson Welles directed ‘Rhinoceros‘ (1960) and he also became a part of annual Hogmanay celebrations in the 50’s and 60’s with his rendition of ‘The Wee Cock Sparra’.

A wee cock sparra sat on a tree,
A wee cock sparra sat on a tree,
A wee cock sparra sat on a tree,
Chirpin awa as blithe as could be.

Alang came a boy wi’a bow and an arra,
Alang came a boy wi’a bow and an arra,
Alang came a boy wi’a bow and an arra,
And he said: ‘I’ll get ye, ye wee cock sparra.’

The boy wi’ the arra let fly at the sparra,
The boy wi’ the arra let fly at the sparra,
The boy wi’ the arra let fly at the sparra,
And he hit a man that was hurlin’ a barra.

The man wi’ the barra cam owre wi’ the arra,
The man wi’ the barra cam owre wi’ the arra
The man wi’ the barra cam owre wi’ the arra,
And said: ‘Ye take me for a wee cock sparra?’

The man hit the boy, tho he wasne his farra,
The man hit the boy, tho he wasne his farra,
The man hit the boy, tho he wasne his farra
And the boy stood and glowered; he was hurt tae the marra.

And a’ this time the wee cock sparra,
And a’ this time the wee cock sparra,
And a’ this time the wee cock sparra
Was chirpin awa on the shank o’ the barra.

Macrae was an advocate of the Edinburgh Fringe festival and helped to make it popular for all rather than just being an exclusive event. He also supported trade unions and co-founded Scottish Equity.

He liked to relax in Millport and was known to his many friends as John, his true first name. When on the ferry he would often chat to the captain and crew. When on the island he loved to talk to the local children and visiting children. He also always had a special word for the island’s elderly. He was also known for his support of his wife Peggy who was a Town Councillor and special needs schoolteacher. Indeed it was Peggy who helped establish the annual Cumbrae Queen celebrations.

Duncan Macrae died at his Glasgow home on 23rd March 1967. His funeral service at Linn Crematorium was attended by many of his Millport friends including the Provost, George Barr.

In 2024 a play written and performed by Michael Daviot, ‘A Noble Clown’, telling the life story of Duncan Macrae, was staged at the Scottish Storytelling Centre in Edinburgh. It was staged again at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 2025.