As we celebrate 150 years of the Edinburgh Evening News, we’ve taken a look at the 150 most famous faces from the Capital.
In alphabetical order, we are going through these big names who have made an impact on Edinburgh and the world. We’ve already mentioned the likes of Robert Louis Stevenson, Pat Stanton and Irvine Welsh – so let’s have a look at the most influential Edinburgh people, from letters T to Y.
1. Tom Kitchin
In 2007, after his Leith restaurant The Kitchin had been in business for six months, Edinburgh-born chef Tom Kitchin was awarded his first Michelin star. Aged just 29, this made him the youngest Michelin star recipient in the world. He now owns a string of restaurants including Scran & Scallie, The Bonnie Badger and KORA. Kitchin had a stint as guest presenter on BBC’s The One Show, and has appeared numerous times on Saturday Kitchen Live and MasterChef. Photo: Third Party
2. Sir William Bruce
Sir William Bruce lived from 1630 to 1710. The foremost architect of his generation, he is perhaps best known for his work on Edinburgh's Holyroodhouse from 1671, transforming it into a baroque palace for Charles II. He also designed Hopetoun House. Photo: Third Party
3. William Henry Playfair
Born in London in 1790, William Henry Playfair was one of the leading architects in nineteenth-century Scotland, and was instrumental in Edinburgh earning its reputation as ‘The Athens of the North’. Most of his finest buildings are in the Scottish capital - including the Royal Institution (1822; now the Royal Scottish Academy), Royal College of Surgeons (1830–32), Donaldson's Hospital (1842), and the National Gallery of Scotland (1850–57). Photo: Third Party
4. William McGonagall
Thought to have been born in Edinburgh in 1825, William McGonagall is remembered affectionately as ‘the worst poet in the history of the English language’. Photo: Third Party