Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry: Edinburgh Academy abuse survivors come forward for investigation

Many have already come forward about the prestigious boarding school where broadcaster Nicky Campbell said he was abused

An increasing number of former students have come forward about historic abuse at one of the Capital’s top fee-paying schools, the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry (SCAI) has said. The SCAI will hear from alleged victims and witnesses about Edinburgh Academy, as public hearings investigating the abuse of children in boarding schools resumes in August 2023.

Previously evidence heard in relation to Fettes College in November and December 2021 heard from Fettes’ witnesses about the experiences they also had at Edinburgh Academy.

SCAI chair Lady Smith said: “Since the beginning of public hearings examining boarding schools in March 2021, there has been an increase in applicants coming forward, including those who boarded at Edinburgh Academy and other witnesses. Their evidence includes information about Edinburgh Academy and allegations of abuse by a number of its former staff.

A major inquiry into child abuse will hear from survivors from Edinburgh Academy, where broadcaster Nicky Campbell said he was abused (Photos: Shutterstock/ITV/TSPL)

“It is normal for applicants to come forward during and after evidential hearings. Those hearings and the publicity surrounding them encourage them to get in touch. In these particular circumstances, I have decided further evidence about the care of children who boarded at the Edinburgh Academy should be heard in public hearings, as part of the boarding schools case study.

“Evidence relating to Edinburgh Academy has been gathered for some time. Many people have already come forward. We would encourage anyone with relevant information to get in touch with the Inquiry’s witness support team as soon as possible.”

The news comes after a former teacher accused of abusing children at Edinburgh Academy and at Fettes was named, after an order preventing his identification was lifted. The man, who was previously only known as Edgar, has been identified as Iain Wares, 83, from South Africa.

He was previously classed as a “protected person” after claims that he abused children in the 1960s and 1970s at the two private schools came to light. Broadcaster Nicky Campbell, who previously alleged he was abused by Wares when he attended Edinburgh Academy, is among those who have called for him to be extradited to Scotland.