Before he was known for roles in Outlander, Kajaki, and Billy & Tim, Scott Kyle was a young man from Rutherglen with no acting experience and no Higher qualifications. In 2006, he enrolled at Glasgow College of Nautical Studies – one of the legacy institutions that would later become part of City of Glasgow College – looking for a fresh start. After taking a few years out of education, he was ready to try something practical.
“I didn’t even know what a monologue was, I hadn’t read a book or written an essay in years.”
His first audition didn’t go well.
“I had to make something up on the spot, I was mortified. But they gave me a chance. That changed everything.”
Scott joined the HNC Acting and Performance course and never looked back. He worked night shifts stacking supermarket shelves, helped launch the NLP Theatre Company to support fellow students, and performed in plays that mirrored his own life, like Passing Places by Stephen Greenhorn. His dedication earned him both the Chris Hunter Memorial Cup for Outstanding Achievement and The Star Award for Candidate of the Year.
“College didn’t just teach me acting. It taught me to think bigger. To be braver. I met people I’d never normally meet and started to see the world differently.”
After graduating, Scott faced the usual challenges of breaking into the industry. Then a chance encounter with a script in a local library changed everything. Singing I’m No A Billy He’s A Tim, a raw, funny, powerful play about sectarianism, struck a chord.
“I’m a Rangers fan. My brother supports Celtic. I knew exactly what that play was talking about.”
Scott gathered a team and took the production on tour, bringing theatre to new audiences across Scotland. That project opened more doors, eventually leading to high-profile roles on screen and stage.
Most recently, after five years of writing, Scott published his first book, It’s Not Where You Start – a title that sums up his journey from uncertain student to award-winning actor, producer, and now author.
Scott’s story is a powerful reminder of the legacy and impact of the founding colleges: “College gave me the tools, but more than that, it gave me belief. It helped me find out who I was.”
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