Comedian Elaine C Smith, best known for her roles in Rab C Nesbitt and Two Doors Down, has been awarded Glasgow’s highest civic honor—the Freedom of the City. This prestigious title grants her unique traditional rights, including the ability to fish in the River Clyde and graze cattle on common ground.
Smith, one of the few women to receive this recognition, exercised her newly acquired privileges by grazing Highland cattle—borrowed from Pollok Park—on Glasgow Green on Thursday. The official ceremony will take place on Friday, just ahead of International Women’s Day.
Reflecting on the honor, Smith remarked:
“As a newly minted freeman of Glasgow, I must say, it’s quite the honor. But let’s be clear—while I may be a ‘freeman’ by title, I am, and always will be, a free woman at heart. So, if you see me grazing cattle on Glasgow Green or fishing in the Clyde, just remember, I’m simply exercising my rights as a free woman.”
Historically, freemen of Glasgow have held the right to graze cattle on Glasgow Green and were also entrusted with the duty of guarding the town. If they failed to uphold this responsibility, they could be prosecuted for perjury of their oath and, if convicted, were entitled to their own prison cell.
Notable figures previously granted the Freedom of the City include Sir Billy Connolly, Sir Kenny Dalglish, Sir Alex Ferguson, and the late Nelson Mandela. Among the few women to receive the honor is renowned scientist Marie Curie, the first woman to win a Nobel Prize.
Smith’s career in the arts spans over four decades across radio, television, film, and theatre. A staple of Glasgow’s pantomime scene, she has starred in Calendar Girls, Annie, and the Susan Boyle musical I Dreamed A Dream, which she co-wrote. Beyond entertainment, she is a dedicated charity campaigner and political activist, advocating for poverty alleviation and women’s rights.
Glasgow’s Lord Provost, Councillor Jacqueline McLaren, praised Smith’s contributions, stating:
“Elaine’s dedication to supporting women and her impactful work in the arts make her a worthy recipient of the Freedom of the City. Her playful yet profound declaration of being a ‘free woman’ perfectly embodies the values we celebrate on International Women’s Day.”
