Lost video clip shows Scots star Kevin McKidd as ghost guide

Newly-uncovered footage shows Scottish star Kevin McKidd treading the streets of the Capital as a ghost tour guide.

The celebrity, who shot to fame in Trainspotting before going on to star in TV shows such as Rome, Kingdom of Heaven and Grey's Anatomy, was working for Edinburgh's Witchery Tours as a student in 1994.

In the three-minute clip, he can be seen giving an animated performance to a small crowd.

The footage was unearthed by owner Robin Mitchell, who hired Kevin for a year while he studied at Queen Margaret University.

Mr Mitchell, from Gorebridge, said: "I always knew we had the footage, but until last week we had no way of transferring it from the old camera tapes on to a digital platform. As soon as I found out we could do it I edited down to the best bits.

"It's clear that he was always talented and he was one of my favourite guides, but we had no idea he would do so well. We saw him at the Edinburgh Film Festival a couple of years ago and we had a good old blether. He said the five or six nights every week that he spent as a guide helped him build the stamina he needed for performing."

After six months working shifts at Witchery Tours, Kevin made his debut performance at the King's Theatre, as the lead role in popular play Silver Darlings, which toured Scotland. Mr Mitchell and other colleagues were invited to watch the show. Two years later he played Tommy in Trainspotting.

Since establishing a successful acting career, the 36-year-old has also starred in Father Ted and The Acid House. He currently plays Owen Hunt in the US drama Grey's Anatomy.

Cameron Pirie, who worked as a guide alongside Kevin, said the actor was great fun.

He said: "He's done really well and I think he's gone about it the right way too. Kevin has gradually built himself up, and he has established himself as a solid name. He has tread carefully and created a strong profile. He might not be quite as big as Ewan McGregor yet, but he's getting there."

Mr Mitchell, who opened the tour business in 1984, also joked that he was hopeful Kevin would return to perform one last time as the character he played, Adam Lyal, prepared to celebrate his 200th anniversary. He said: "Adam was a highwayman that stole his way around Edinburgh and was hanged in 1811. He's still thought to haunt the Grassmarket. As his 200th death-day is coming up it would be great if he'd step back into character one more time. You never know."

See the spooky video here at www.youtube.com/watch?v=kBVvUudB6TM

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