Comedian as rights to graze cattle and fish the Clyde

Elaine C. Smith has been granted the Freedom of the City of Glasgow. 

The city’s highest honour allows her to graze her cows on Glasgow Green and fish the River Clyde – but also has the duty to defend the town by arms. 

She joins an elite group of Freemen, including Sir Billy Connolly, Nelson Mandela, Kenny Dalglish, and Sir Alex Ferguson, but just a handful of women, including Nobel laureate Marie Curie.

Rob C Nesbitt and Two Doors Down star Smith said: ‘As a newly minted Freeman of Glasgow, I must say, it's quite the honour. But let's be clear, while I may be a "Freeman" by title, I am, and always will be, a freewoman at heart.

‘So, if you see me grazing Highland cattle on Glasgow Green or fishing in the Clyde, just remember, I'm exercising my rights as a free woman!’

She tested her newfound rights today by grazing some Highland cattle borrowed from Pollok Country Park.

Lord Provost Jacqueline McLaren made the award on the eve of International Women's Day, recognising Smith’s ‘remarkable contributions to the arts and her embodiment as an advocate for women's rights’.

McLaren said: ‘Elaine's dedication to advocating for and supporting women, and her successful and impactful work in the arts, makes her a deserving recipient’. 

If she does not perform her duty of defending Glasgow, Smith could theoretically be prosecuted for perjury of her oath. Although if convicted, she has the right to a prison cell of her own, without ‘un-Freemen’ in it.

Smith has worked with vulnerable women and children in her community and donated prizes for young women performers at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and New College Lanarkshire.

She was given her freedom of Glasgow as part of the city's 850th birthday celebrations.

Published: 7 Mar 2025