On 23 March 1923, Roddy McMillan, the Scottish stage and TV actor, was born.

His credits include the TV series, The View From Daniel Pike, and the play, The Revellers. However, he will be most fondly remembered for his portrayal of Para Handy, the captain of the Vital Spark in the much loved television series of the 1960s.

On this day in 1848, the Free Church of Scotland settlement at New Edinburgh, New Zealand was founded under Rev Thomas Burns, a nephew of the poet Robert Burns. The settlement later became Dunedin, one of the largest towns in the country, and one which still retains a distinctive Scottish character.

Today's recipe: in-season sardines are the key ingredient of this fish dish. Stargazey pie.