Val
McDermid

Writer

Val is a top crime writer who has a string of popular books to her name .... and a great many loyal readers. Some of her books have been adapted for TV. Val studied English at St Hilda's College, Oxford where she was the first-ever student from a Scottish state school. She then worked in journalism before turning to full-time writing. (more)

Adam
Smith

Economics

Adam Smith's writings on business and trade are very important. Indeed, he is regarded by many experts as the father of modern economics. His most famous work is the Wealth of Nations which is still widely studied in universities all over the world, even although Adam died more than 200 years ago! (more)

Louise
Brown

Nurse

Louise realised a childhood dream when she gained a place on a nursing course at Aberdeen University in 2005. She is now in the second year of her training and is looking forward to working in Accident & Emergency (A&E) as she will discover whether TV's Casualty is accurate!  Louise hopes to become a hospital ward sister.

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John
Smith

Soldier

John was one of many whose great achievement was to help Britain and its allies win the First World War. Sadly, he paid the ultimate price as a newspaper report in 1916 tells: "Corporal J. Smith has been killed in action near Somme in France.  He was educated at Kirkcaldy High School and before being called up, was a miner. He was 19 years of age."

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Lynn
Watt

Building

Former Kirkcaldy High School pupils have contributed a lot to the construction industry in Scotland. For example Lynn Watt is the first woman ever to be elected to the role of Vice President of Scottish Building, a body which represents firms employing over 100,000 people.  Lynn is also the boss of Kirkcaldy building firm, John Smart & Son.

Frank
Crowe

Law

Frank studied law at Dundee University and in due course, became a Procurator Fiscal in Kirkcaldy.  He was later appointed as Sheriff sitting in Dundee where he gained a reputation for civility to everyone in his court, including those unfortunate enough to appear before him accused of a crime. (more)

Kate
Donegan

Law

As the Governor of HM Prison Glenochil, Kate is a senior figure in the Scottish Prison Service.  She went to Aberdeen University and then joined the Royal Navy serving as a Wren working in education. Kate then had a spell in the Scottish Office before her move to the Prison Service where she quickly made her mark. (more)

Ian
Wooton

Economics

Ian is a gifted economist who is now Professor of Economics at Strathclyde University. He has lectured all over the world on matters such as international trade and foreign investment.  Ian has also provided advice to the Treasury which is of course led by another KHS Achiever, Gordon Brown! (more)

Alan
Rodger

Health

Alan has one of the most important jobs in the health service. He is Medical Director of the Beatson Oncology Centre in Glasgow. The Beatson Centre is known all over the world for its wonderful work in helping cancer patients. Alan is a top breast cancer specialist who is proud of the excellent team he leads at Beatson. (more)

Anneila Sargent

Astronomy

Anneila is one of the world's leading astronomers and a former President of the American Astronomical Society. She studied Physics and Astronomy at Edinburgh University. A few years ago, Anneila returned to Kirkcaldy High to give a lecture to senior pupils and to meet Bill Ritchie, the teacher who first inspired her to study astronomy. (more)

Gordon
Brown

Politics

A talented and hard-working individual who seemed set for a great future from an early age. Gordon went to Edinburgh University where he was elected Rector while still a student! As the Prime Minister, he is the school's most famous Achiever to date but Gordon is still immensely proud to be Kirkcaldy's local MP. (more)

Sandie
Forbes

Music