The Courier’s fifth annual poll of 100 local inspirational figures who have shaped our year has been revealed.
Top spot went to Oor Wullie, recognising the sensation that was the Oor Wullie Bucket Trail. You can read through the entire list here.
The response online has been huge, with the cultural community, educational establishment and cream of local business engaging in the conversation. Of course, the public have also made their feelings known.
Fleur Darkin was publicly commended for bringing dance to those not ordinarily exposed to it during her prolific tenure as artistic director at Scottish Dance Theatre so far.
Many congrats to 'inspirational figurehead' Fleur Darkin @SDTDance for reaching no 47 in the #courierimpact100 list https://t.co/ByDfSqYY8P
— Edith Adam (@FrenchEdith) December 7, 2016
It seemed a prescient time to resurrect a popular meme of previous Impact 100 winner Andy Murray looking unimpressed at Christmas when it was revealed that there was one top spot he could not claim.
That moment @andy_murray opened his #courierimpact100 and found the #1 spot had been taken by a boy on a bucket…. #oorwullie #allwinners pic.twitter.com/XR0I7xxVTD
— Graham Brown (@C_GBrown1) December 9, 2016
From the business world, Insights CEO Andy Lothian was championed for his tireless efforts to promote Dundee, Tayside and Scotland on the global stage.
#courierimpact100 congrats to @andylothian CEO @Insights described as "a true business braveheart" @thecourieruk pic.twitter.com/DY7pG4yR0H
— Spreng Thomson (@SprengThomson) December 7, 2016
From Olympian Eilish McColgan to communications technology professor Annalu Waller, Dundee University noted various alumni and academics who made the grade.
Our Olympian graduate @EilishMccolgan was named number 73 in #courierimpact100 for her incredible feats of human endurance! pic.twitter.com/Py25AI77MD
— University of Dundee (@dundeeuni) December 8, 2016
Professor Annalu Waller has been named no.71 in the #courierimpact100 this week for pioneering work ? – https://t.co/LyDpslwIiY pic.twitter.com/Cy1o9T43cq
— University of Dundee (@dundeeuni) December 7, 2016
Our cheeky cultural contributor @HughesPeg has been chosen as No 51 in the #courierimpact100 @literarydundee – https://t.co/w3oqxziw0g pic.twitter.com/dg1LIiwJj3
— University of Dundee (@dundeeuni) December 9, 2016
Record-breaking long-distance cyclist Mark Beaumont, more latterly known as Dundee University rector, acknowledged the paper’s enduring support.
@thecourieruk has backed my ambitions since I pedalled across Scotland aged 12 years old – thank you! https://t.co/UffSFDeLpT
— Mark Beaumont (@MrMarkBeaumont) December 5, 2016
Record-breaking cyclist @MrMarkBeaumont was named in #courierimpact100, see him & @dundeesportsmed tmrw – https://t.co/ybgDQxY270 pic.twitter.com/CAvQxvHyCx
— University of Dundee (@dundeeuni) December 9, 2016
Not to be outdone, High School of Dundee boasted a host of former pupils, directors and current junior karting champ Sandy Mitchell in our 2016 Impact 100 hall of fame.
In @thecourieruk Impact 100 countdown, from HSD 4 FPs, 2 Directors, and current pupil @SMitchellRacing make the list!https://t.co/30v7phdsKb
— HighSchoolofDundee (@HSofDundee) December 9, 2016
Clare Dow, the creative genius behind the Royal Arch: The People’s Tower project was also delighted to be recognised:
Wow! I'm so delighted to make it into @thecourieruk impact 100 list! Thank you! https://t.co/86NiSeOu5K
— Claire Dow (@DowClaire) December 8, 2016
The reactions kept coming:
Our Lecturer and Fine Artist @Frank_To_Artist is on a roll who made the @thecourieruk Impact 100 List! Check it out 😀 https://t.co/wzglaHAeI4
— Perth College UHI (@PerthCollegeUHI) December 8, 2016
Great to see so many inspiring @Abertaytuni alums including Honorary Graduate Iain Flett in the @thecourieruk Impact 100 #courierimpact100 pic.twitter.com/Ko0oJdb4r4
— Abertay Alumni (@AbertayAlumni) December 6, 2016
.@SSE congrats to CEO Alistair Phillips Davies for making it into @thecourieruk Impact 100 list at no 87 #energy #courierimpact100
— IRT SURVEYS (@IRT_SURVEYS) December 6, 2016
Great to see the @thecourieruk recognising @shawza5 & @rachel_wolecki in their Impact 100 list of most influential people in Courier Country pic.twitter.com/cMUs3RW11Y
— Jeanfield Girls FC (@JeanfieldGirls) December 5, 2016
Then there was the grand reveal, capping off a banner year for Oor Wullie. The Bucket Trail of imaginatively decorated statues launched throughout Tayside and subsequent auction lit an unforgettable fire under the local community and across Scotland as the iconic character rung in his 75th year.
Courier Impact 100: Oor Wullie takes the top title! https://t.co/zDgR8tUwV8 pic.twitter.com/nVghUISq2x
— The Courier (@thecourieruk) December 9, 2016
