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

Gary Flockhart
·4-min read
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”. (Photo: Third Party)

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 James Gillespie's High School pupil Callum Skinner is a British former track cyclist.He won the silver medal in the individual sprint at the 2016 Summer Olympics, and was a member of the British team that won gold in the team sprint. (Photo: Third Party)
Former James Gillespie's High School pupil Callum Skinner is a British former track cyclist.He won the silver medal in the individual sprint at the 2016 Summer Olympics, and was a member of the British team that won gold in the team sprint. (Photo: Third Party)
Robert Cavanah was born in Edinburgh and attended James Gillespie's High School, followed by the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama in 1986. He played Adam Carnegie in the ITV1 series The Royal and played Tommy Grant EastEnders. He has also starred in Outlander and The Crown, among many TV shows and films. (Photo: Third Party)
Robert Cavanah was born in Edinburgh and attended James Gillespie's High School, followed by the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama in 1986. He played Adam Carnegie in the ITV1 series The Royal and played Tommy Grant EastEnders. He has also starred in Outlander and The Crown, among many TV shows and films. (Photo: Third Party)
Alastair Sim famously played Ebenezer Scrooge on the big screen, and although there have been countless versions of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol in the years since, not one has come close to Sim’s 1951 film, Scrooge. Edinburgh-born Sim, who died in 1976, was educated at James Gillespie's and George Heriot's. (Photo: Third Party)
Alastair Sim famously played Ebenezer Scrooge on the big screen, and although there have been countless versions of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol in the years since, not one has come close to Sim’s 1951 film, Scrooge. Edinburgh-born Sim, who died in 1976, was educated at James Gillespie's and George Heriot's. (Photo: Third Party)
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)
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)
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)
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
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
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)
Former James Gillespie's High School pupil Grant Stott is known as the regular King’s Theatre Edinburgh panto villain. A former radio DJ, he also now appears on the Scottish TV soap opera River City. Stott is the brother of former television presenter John Leslie. (Photo: Third Party)
Former James Gillespie's High School pupil Grant Stott is known as the regular King’s Theatre Edinburgh panto villain. A former radio DJ, he also now appears on the Scottish TV soap opera River City. Stott is the brother of former television presenter John Leslie. (Photo: Third Party)
Enigma code breaker Ethel Houston, who went to James Gillespie's High School for girls, was one of the first recruits to Bletchley Park and worked in Hut 6 during the final year of World War Two. She later became the first woman to become senior partner at a Scottish law firm. Photo Credit: James Williamson
Enigma code breaker Ethel Houston, who went to James Gillespie's High School for girls, was one of the first recruits to Bletchley Park and worked in Hut 6 during the final year of World War Two. She later became the first woman to become senior partner at a Scottish law firm. Photo Credit: James Williamson