Sam Heughan, who is known 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 known 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 known 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”.

Famous Edinburgh people: 10 celebrities educated at James Gillespie's High school, including Sam Heughan

Gary Flockhart
By Gary Flockhart
Published 26th Oct 2023, 20:16 BST
Edinburgh’s James Gillespie's High School boasts an impressive list of star names among its former pupils – and even one or two legends.

If you’ve ever wondered where world famous author Dame Muriel Spark or Outlander actor Sam Heughan were educated, we’ve got the answers for you.

How many of the celebs in our picture gallery did you know went to James Gillespie's in Edinburgh – either its former girls school, boys school, primary or the high school – and did any attend at the same time as you or your children?

Former Blue Peter presenter John Leslie was educated at James Gillespie's High School, alongside his brother Grant Stott. He later presented ITV's This Morning and the gameshow Wheel of Fortune. He was also the studio host for the first series of the UK version of Survivor. He was wrongly named as the alleged rapist of TV star Ulrika Jonsson by Matthew Wright. However, Leslie's career imploded as he became the centre of a media storm.

5. John Leslie

Former Blue Peter presenter John Leslie was educated at James Gillespie's High School, alongside his brother Grant Stott. He later presented ITV's This Morning and the gameshow Wheel of Fortune. He was also the studio host for the first series of the UK version of Survivor. He was wrongly named as the alleged rapist of TV star Ulrika Jonsson by Matthew Wright. However, Leslie's career imploded as he became the centre of a media storm. Photo: Third Party

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The much-loved funnyman, who formed one half of The Two Ronnies alongside Ronnie Barker, attended James Gillespie's Boys School and the Royal High School. Corbett died in 2016.

6. Ronnie Corbett

The much-loved funnyman, who formed one half of The Two Ronnies alongside Ronnie Barker, attended James Gillespie's Boys School and the Royal High School. Corbett died in 2016. Photo: Third Party

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Dame Muriel Spark is one of Scotland's most celebrated writers, and The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie was famously inspired by her time at James Gillespie’s High School in Edinburgh and her teacher, Christina Kay, whose former pupils have said she bore a remarkable resemblance to the main character. Photo: Scottish Poetry Library

7. Muriel Spark

Dame Muriel Spark is one of Scotland's most celebrated writers, and The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie was famously inspired by her time at James Gillespie’s High School in Edinburgh and her teacher, Christina Kay, whose former pupils have said she bore a remarkable resemblance to the main character. Photo: Scottish Poetry Library Photo: Scottish Poetry Library

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Historical novelist, portrait painter and hugely important figure on the Scottish arts and literary scene, Dorothy Dunnet was born in Dunfermline and educated at James Gillespie's High School. She is the author of the Francis Crawford of Lymond novels; the House of Niccolò novels; seven mysteries; King Hereafter, an epic novel about Macbeth; and the text of The Scottish Highlands, a book of photographs by David Paterson, on which she collaborated with her husband, Sir Alastair Dunnett. In 1992 she was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire for services to literature. Lady Dunnett died in 2001.

8. Dorothy Dunnet

Historical novelist, portrait painter and hugely important figure on the Scottish arts and literary scene, Dorothy Dunnet was born in Dunfermline and educated at James Gillespie's High School. She is the author of the Francis Crawford of Lymond novels; the House of Niccolò novels; seven mysteries; King Hereafter, an epic novel about Macbeth; and the text of The Scottish Highlands, a book of photographs by David Paterson, on which she collaborated with her husband, Sir Alastair Dunnett. In 1992 she was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire for services to literature. Lady Dunnett died in 2001. Photo: Third Party

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