1950 to 1972 at Columbia University, New York Prof E. A. J. Honigmann, Joseph Cowen Professor of English Literature from 1970 to 1989 at Newcastle University Gordon Jackson OBE, actor, noted for The Great Escape and The Professionals Prof Janusz Jankowski, doctor and academic Vera Kenmure, (1904-1973) Scottish minister George Leslie, politician Ian MacGregor, metallurgist and industrialist, antagonist in the UK miners' strike (1984-1985), chairman from 1983 to 1986 of the National Coal Board, and Chief Executive from 1980 to 1983 of the British Steel Corporation Harry McGowan, 1st Baron McGowan, chairman from 1930 to 1950 of ICI Alexander Mackendrick, film director Alistair MacLean, author Saul Metzstein, film director Edward Rosslyn Mitchell, Labour MP from 1924 to 1929 for Paisley Shuna Scott Sendall, opera singer Walter Owen, translator of S.American poetry (Argentine gaucho epic Martin Fierro, etc.) Sir Horace Phillips CMG, Ambassador to Turkey from 1973 to 1977, High Commissioner to Tanzania from 1968 to 1972, and Ambassador to Indonesia from 1966 to 1968 Sir John Rennie CMG OBE, Governor of Mauritius (the last before its independence) from 1962 to 1968 Anne Strachan Robertson, archaeologist and numismatist Ian Rodger, co-founder of Scottish Opera Prof Archie Roy, Robert Service, poet May Miles Thomas, film director Alexander Trocchi, novelist who wrote Young Adam Jean Turner, former Independent MSP from 2003 to 2007 for Strathkelvin and Bearsden Jonathan Watson, comedian. (Only an Excuse?) James Alfred Wight OBE, writer and veterinary surgeon from 1939 to 1990 (pen name: James Herriot) Sir Charles Wilson, first Vice-Chancellor from 1957 to 1961 of the University of Leicester, then Principal of the University of Glasgow from 1961 to 1976 John Young, Conservative MSP from 1999 to 2003 for West of Scotland. References External links Hillhead High's official website Hillhead High School's page on Parentzone League tables for the school — Taken from BBC Education 1885 establishments in Scotland Category B listed buildings in Glasgow Educational institutions established in 1885 Listed schools in Scotland Secondary schools in Glasgow Hillhead