Sam Heughan, who is know to millions thanks to his role as highland warrior Jamie Fraser in Outlander, moved to Edinburgh as a young boy so his mother could enrol at Edinburgh College of Art. He recalled in his recent memoir how big a change it was from his New Galloway birthplace, writing: “After years of living in a quiet community, my mother, my brother and I packed our belongings for what felt like a whole new world. Swapping the stable and the castle ruins for a suburban street in Edinburgh, we set about settling in for this new chapter in our lives.” The 12-year-old Heughan attended James Gillespie's High School, which he recalls as having “very strong on rules and discipline”.Sam Heughan, who is know to millions thanks to his role as highland warrior Jamie Fraser in Outlander, moved to Edinburgh as a young boy so his mother could enrol at Edinburgh College of Art. He recalled in his recent memoir how big a change it was from his New Galloway birthplace, writing: “After years of living in a quiet community, my mother, my brother and I packed our belongings for what felt like a whole new world. Swapping the stable and the castle ruins for a suburban street in Edinburgh, we set about settling in for this new chapter in our lives.” The 12-year-old Heughan attended James Gillespie's High School, which he recalls as having “very strong on rules and discipline”.
Sam Heughan, who is know to millions thanks to his role as highland warrior Jamie Fraser in Outlander, moved to Edinburgh as a young boy so his mother could enrol at Edinburgh College of Art. He recalled in his recent memoir how big a change it was from his New Galloway birthplace, writing: “After years of living in a quiet community, my mother, my brother and I packed our belongings for what felt like a whole new world. Swapping the stable and the castle ruins for a suburban street in Edinburgh, we set about settling in for this new chapter in our lives.” The 12-year-old Heughan attended James Gillespie's High School, which he recalls as having “very strong on rules and discipline”.

15 famous Edinburgh faces and the schools or universities they attended, including Outlander star Sam Heughan

Sam Heughan, JK Rowling, Irvine Welsh and Ncuti Gatwa – these are some of the celebrities who were educated in Edinburgh
Gary Flockhart
By Gary Flockhart
Published 20th Mar 2023, 11:56 BST
Updated 30th Jun 2023, 17:22 BST

Edinburgh’s schools, colleges and universities have done their bit to shape many household names, producing celebrities from musicians to actors and authors.

If you’ve ever wondered where Outlander actor Sam Heughan or Trainspotting writer Irvine Welsh were educated we’ve got the answers for you.

How many of the celebrities in our picture gallery did you know went to school, college or university in Edinburgh – and did any of them go to the same one as you or your children?

How many of the celebrities in our picture gallery did you know went to school, college or university in Edinburgh – and did any of them go to the same one as you or your children?

Born in the Kingdom of Fife in 1960, Sir Ian Rankin graduated from the University of Edinburgh in 1982, and then spent three years writing novels when he was supposed to be working towards a PhD in Scottish Literature. It paid off. Today, the long-time Edinburgh resident is the most widely-read crime novelist in the UK, with worldwide sales of more than 30 million for his Inspector Rebus novels.

13. Sir Ian Rankin

Born in the Kingdom of Fife in 1960, Sir Ian Rankin graduated from the University of Edinburgh in 1982, and then spent three years writing novels when he was supposed to be working towards a PhD in Scottish Literature. It paid off. Today, the long-time Edinburgh resident is the most widely-read crime novelist in the UK, with worldwide sales of more than 30 million for his Inspector Rebus novels. Photo: Third Party

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Just before the turn of the millennium, Edinburgh-born TV presenter Gail Porter was one of the best-known faces in the UK. Today, London-based Gail, who attended Portobello High School, is a passionate and recognised mental health campaigner, working with the likes of Mind, Samaritans and Bipolar Scotland.

14. Gail Porter

Just before the turn of the millennium, Edinburgh-born TV presenter Gail Porter was one of the best-known faces in the UK. Today, London-based Gail, who attended Portobello High School, is a passionate and recognised mental health campaigner, working with the likes of Mind, Samaritans and Bipolar Scotland. Photo: Press Association Images

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Tony Blair attended Edinburgh independent school Fettes College in the late 60s, before going on to become Prime Minister as the Labour Party leader. Recalling his time in the Scottish capital, he has said: "Edinburgh is perhaps as beautiful as any city in the world. I knew and adored every street around New Town. I walked it all, then and for years afterwards, finding security, comfort and repose in the familiarity of it, the sense of certainty and self-sufficiency of its design that seemed also to imbue the middle and upper-class folk of Edinburgh."

15. Tony Balir

Tony Blair attended Edinburgh independent school Fettes College in the late 60s, before going on to become Prime Minister as the Labour Party leader. Recalling his time in the Scottish capital, he has said: "Edinburgh is perhaps as beautiful as any city in the world. I knew and adored every street around New Town. I walked it all, then and for years afterwards, finding security, comfort and repose in the familiarity of it, the sense of certainty and self-sufficiency of its design that seemed also to imbue the middle and upper-class folk of Edinburgh." Photo: Third Party

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Related topics:Irvine WelshEdinburghJK Rowling

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