Dundonald Villa - Kames Bay, Millport

Image: © Raibeart MacAoidh Taken: 5 Mar 2016

Dundonald Villa was the home of Duncan Macrae (1905-1967). Duncan Macrae was considered one of Scotland's best known actors – working with international stars on stage, television, radio and in cinema. And what makes his connection to Millport so strong, is the fact that it’s the place he and his wife Peggy chose to relax and call their second home. The popular pair often visited to escape the hustle and bustle of Glasgow. In fact, they loved the Isle of Cumbrae so much, that they bought Dundonald Villa on Kames Bay. Duncan himself was born in Maryhill on 20 August 1905. He attended Glasgow University to study engineering but soon discovered his love and talent for acting. He joined Glasgow’s Citizen Theatre in his early acting days before featuring in acclaimed films such as ‘Whisky Galore’ and ‘Tunes of Glory’. On television he was Para Handy in the first adaptation of Neil Munro’s tales. Later in the 1960s he was cast in ‘The Prisoner’ and ‘The Avengers’ – both cult television shows. His last film, released after his death in 1967, was the James Bond spoof - ‘Casino Royale’.

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