Robert the Bruce 1274-1329

By the cross our Andrew bore
by the sword our William wore
By the crown our Robert swore
to win our Liberty
Ca' the falcon frae the glen
ca' the eagle frae the ben
Ca' the lion frae his den
to win our Liberty...

He was, of course, of French descent, but became the greatest of Scottish patriots. He had a hard fight to win the crown, and his most famous moment was when he defeated the English at Bannockburn in 1314.

According to a legend, at some point while he was on the run during the winter of 1305-06, Bruce hid in a cave where he observed a spider spinning a web, trying to make a connection from one area of the cave's roof to another. Each time the spider failed, it began again until it succeeded. Inspired by this, Bruce returned to inflict a series of defeats on the English, thus winning him more supporters and eventual victory.

If at first you don't succeed....