David Wilkie was born on the 8th March 1954 in Sri Lanka. His Scottish parents were from Aberdeen so he was able to represent Scotland in the 1972 and 1976 Olympics and the 1970 and 1974 Commonwealth Games.

David was educated at boarding school in Edinburgh at the David Stewart College. Here he joined the Warrender Baths Club.

His swimming coach was Dave Haller who helped train David to a high enough standard to represent the UK at many events.

Awards and Medals of David Wilkie

Bronze Medal for the 200m Breaststroke at the 1970 British Commonwealth Games in Edinburgh.

Silver Medal for the 200m Breaststroke at the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich.

Gold Medal for the 200m Breaststroke at the 1974 British Commonwealth Games in Christchurch, New Zealand.

Gold Medal for the 200m Individual Medley at the 1974 British Commonwealth Games in Christchurch, New Zealand.

Gold Medal for the 200m Breaststroke at the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal.

Silver Medal for the 100m Breaststroke at the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal.

In 2001 he became a member of the Scottish Sports Hall of Fame.

David Wilkie was the first swimmer to wear swimming goggles and a swimming head cap. This improved his streamline and made him faster in the water. His use of these swimming aids saw their popularity rise to common usage.

David Wilkie worked in London for the Sports Aide Foundation.

Books By And About David Wilkie

In 1976 David Wilkie published the book called David Wilkie with authors Pat Besford and Tommy Long. For more information click here.

In 1977 David Wilkie and Athole Still wrote the book Winning With Wilkie. Click here to buy the book with free delivery available.

In 1982 David Wilkie wrote the book Splash!: Swimming with Wilkie with co author and illustrator Kelvin Juba. Click here to buy this out of print book, depending on availability.

More famous Aberdonians.

We also run the www.findextrawork.co.uk website where there is information about earning more money from a range of part time and full time jobs which can be done at home or out and about. Visit for more information.