As part of the Edinburgh Evening News’ 150th birthday celebrations, we've been taking a look at 150 of the most influential people whose lives and work have impacted not just the Capital but the world. The list has been narrowed down to the top 15 Edinburghers, and we are now asking you to tell us who you think should be crowned the greatest.
To have your say, head to our voting form to choose your favourite from the list. Voting will close at midnight on June 23, with the winner announced the following week.
9. Sir Sean Connery
Sir Sean Connery started out in theatre and TV roles before landing his career-defining role as British secret agent James Bond. He went onto star in seven Bond films. He also appeared on screen in films like Highlander and The Hunt for Red October. His achievements in film earned him an Academy Award, two BAFTA Awards and three Golden Globes. Photo by Ian Jacobs/Getty Images) Photo: Ian Jacobs
10. Irvine Welsh
Irvine Welsh is a writer who shocked the world with his novel Trainspotting in 1993, about a group of heroin addicted friends in Leith. It was adapted into a film starring Ewan McGregor and directed by Danny Boyle. Welsh was born in Leith but also lived in Muirhouse when he was growing up. Photo: Supplied
11. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
Born on May 22, 1859 at 11 Picardy Place, Edinburgh, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle was a writer and physician who studied medicine at the University of Edinburgh Medical School. As a writer, he created the character Sherlock Holmes in 1887 for A Study in Scarlet, the first of four novels and fifty-six short stories about Holmes and Dr. Watson. Doyle was a prolific writer; other than Holmes stories, his works include fantasy and science fiction stories about Professor Challenger, and humorous stories about the Napoleonic soldier Brigadier Gerard, as well as plays, romances, poetry, non-fiction, and historical novels. One of Doyle's early short stories, "J. Habakuk Jephson's Statement" (1884), helped to popularise the mystery of the Mary Celeste. He passed away in 1930 aged 71. Photo: Bettmann/ Getty
12. Doddie Weir
Edinburgh was shaken when Scottish rugby legend Doddie Weird died in November 2022 at the age of 52, after suffering with motor neurone disease (MND). The icon won 61 caps between 1990 and 2000 for Scotland, including two in one World Cup against the All Blacks - the only Scot to achieve the feat. After his rugby career he launched the My Name'5 Doddie foundation which has raised millions for MND research, Photo: Getty Images