6 famous people you didn't know studied in the Highlands

While the Highlands features stunning landscapes and scenic views, you may not know the wealth of talent originating from the region.

Known for its scenery, the Highlands has become a magnet for millions of visitors each year including famous faces craving the peace and tranquillity they offer.

Oscar-winning actress, Tilda Swinton last year bought a beach-front property in Nairn and until recently musician Bob Dylan owned a Highland estate in Nethy Bridge.

Other big names with connections to the Highlands include Hollywood actress Karen Gillan, who was born in Inverness and went to Charleston Academy.

But here are five famous people you may not know attended school in the Highlands.

Julie Fowlis

Educated at the University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI), Julie Fowlis graduated in 2011 before becoming well-known for the song Touch the Sky, the lead song from the Pixar movie, Brave.

Originally from North Uist, she primarily performs in Gaelic and is an advocate for the retention of the ancient language in popular culture.

In 2013, she was named UHI Alumnus of the Year. She currently lives in Dingwall with her family and continues to perform music.

James Augustus Grant

A historical name on the list is James Augustus Grant who attended Nairn Academy. His claim to fame?

He was an explorer who helped discover the source of Africa’s most important river, alongside John Hanning Speke in 1860.

During the expedition, Grant carried out several investigations that contributed to a better understanding of East Africa.

In 1864 he published a supplementary to Speke’s account of their journey, A Walk Across Africa, in which he detailed “the ordinary life and pursuits, the habits and feelings of the natives”.

He returned from Africa but not before a brush with death from a serious illness which he described in his journals and could be the first case of Buruli ulcer.

Carol Kirkwood

The well-known friendly face that delivers either good or bad news depending on the weather, Carol Kirkwood was born in the village of Morar near Mallaig.

She attended school at Lochaber High School in Fort William before becoming a staple on BBC morning shows, including BBC Breakfast and Victoria Derbyshire.

She has also appeared on several shows, including Would I Lie to You and finished 13th on Strictly Come Dancing in 2015.

She recently got married.

Ali Smith

Booker Prize nominee author Ali Smith has come along way since her days at Inverness High School.

She has written several novels including Hotel World, Like and Girl Meets Boy.

In 2007, Smith was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature and has won numerous awards and has been nominated for the prestigious Booker Prize four times.

She was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the 2015 New Year Honours for services to literature

Jane Elizabeth Waterston

Another historical one. Jane Waterston attended Inverness Royal Academy and so travelled out to Africa, inspired by Dr David Livingstone.

She trained as a missionary and physician and was the first female physician in Southern Africa.

There she resided in Cape Town, where she went into private practice and was known as “the mother of activity”, for her tireless work helping those in need.

In 1925, she became the second woman to be made a fellow of the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland. She died in Cape Town in 1932.

Jimmy Yuill

Actor Jimmy Yuill may not have the most notable name but has been working steadily in the industry since 1977.

Having attended Golspie High School, he became a member of the Royal Shakespeare Company and is a frequent cast member in Kenneth Branagh films.

His most recent role was in the 2018 film All in Time but has also appeared in Frankenstein (1994) and As You Get It (2006).

He is also known for his role as DI Doug Kersey in all five series of Wycliffe from 1994 to 1998, based on W. J. Burley’s novels about DS Charles Wycliffe.