SCOTLAND has been the home of many widely known celebrities, from glamorous actors like Ewan McGregor to talented singers like Calvin Harris.
However, some stars with Scottish heritage have been swept under the red carpet.
Here we reveal some of the unlikely famous figures who have Caledonian roots.
Hugh Grant
The beloved romantic lead has been assumed to be completely English.
However, the man does have some Scottish blood despite his accent.
The 61-year-old comes from a long line of Scots men, and his grandfather was even an Inverness local.
The Notting Hill star has even spoken about his childhood games on the walls of Fort George in the Highlands.
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Hugh previously told The Scotsman: “As a child, I had holidays up here from the age of three.
“We were always playing about in the fort, playing at war on the battlements with my brother and girl cousins.
“I always found it all fascinating as there were so many soldiers in my family. I’ve got it in my genes, it’s in my DNA.”
Hugh Laurie
His full name would give the game away, if the famed actor from House chose to go by James Hugh Calum Laurie.
Despite raising him in Oxford, both of his parents are of Scottish descent.
On American television the 62-year-old once jokingly attributed his “dour nature” to his Scottish background.
He told Glasgow-born chat show host Craig Ferguson: “I’m very pessimistic. I hope you don’t mind but I actually attribute this to my Scottish roots – dour.
“I definitely think that’s where it’s from.”
The negative attitude did not prevent him from going on to become part of an iconic comedy duo with Stephen Fry.
Kiera Knightley
Although often seen as an English rose, 36-year-old Pirates of the Caribbean heroine actually has a Scottish mum.
Sharman Macdonald, herself an award winning playwright and actress, was born in Glasgow.
Sharman helped her daughter follow in her footsteps by writing the script for Kiera‘s debut film, The Edge of Love.
This was the opener at the Edinburgh International Film Festival.
The star has praised Scots mother for her hardworking attitude and go getter mantra, which she has adopted.
Eminem
The famous rapper once had a Highland film company trace his heritage all the way back to Scotland for a documentary.
The pop star’s real name is Marshall Mathers, and reports from the family tree have shown he has a descendent from Edinburgh.
His grandmother, Betty Kresin, previously spoke to People Magazine about her awareness of his history.
She said: “I’m so pleased that my grandson is playing in Scotland, as that’s where his family is from.
“I took great pains to let him know of his ancestry when he was younger. He should be proud of his Scottish ancestry.”
We previously told of rap superstar, 49, saying he had looked at pads in Glasgow while considering a move.
He told fans: “Scotland might have to be my new home, as right now things aren’t going so well in the States.
“Thank you so much for making us feel at home. We’re going to live here now.”
Julianne Moore
The A-lister from Still Alice opted for dual-nationality in memory of her mother, applying for British citizenship in 2011 after she died.
Her Greenock-born parent, Anne Love Smith, had kept their cultural roots alive even after the move to the US.
Julianne, 61, previously told the Express: “My grandparents were very Scottish for all their lives. My siblings and I all had kilts and we grew up with a very strong identity of being part Scottish.
“My mother used to tell me all the time that we were not 100 percent American.”
When receiving the Best Actress award at the BAFTAs in 2015, she paid tribute to her Scottish relatives in the acceptance speech saying: “Finally, to the five Scottish women who poured love into me, my great aunts May, Mary and Cissy, my grandmother Flora and my mother Anne, this is for you.”
Mike Myers
The comedy actor put his Scottish heritage to ‘good’ use when voicing the iconic character of Shrek – and Fat B*****d in the Austin Powers franchise.
Although he was born in Canada, the 58-year-old funnyman has mentioned in interviews that he was inspired by his Scottish past when creating the ogre’s accent.
When explaining his family tree, he told the Guardian: “We also have Scottish heritage. My relatives were railway workers and miners.”
This influenced him in his fairy tale role, as he later said: “I always thought that Shrek was raised working class. And since Lord Farquaad was played English, I thought Scottish.”
The Wayne’s World star also previously weighed in on the controversial topic of Scottish independence.
Although he encouraged Scots to stay within the UK, he told BBC Radio 4: “Shrek wants what the will of the Scottish people want.”
Reese Witherspoon
The Hollywood starlet believes she is a direct descendant of John Witherspoon, who was originally born in East Lothian.
The Scots Presbyterian minister made his mark on history by signing the United States’ Declaration of Independence.
However, despite this link, the 44-year-old actress had such a terrible Scottish accent that she once got dropped from a film role.
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During an interview during the Loraine Kelly show on ITV, Reese admitted: “I tried to do a Scottish accent once. It was bad.
“I had to quit the movie. It’s not my finest moment. I don’t want to talk about it any more.”
Jennifer Aniston
The much-loved actress behind Rachel from Friends has a family history that reaches back to Glasgow.
Glasgow Live discovered Scottish descent on her mother’s side, tracing it back to Gordon McLean Dow.
The 51-year-old star does seem to take an interest in her homeland’s politics, as we have previously reported on her praising Nicola Sturgeon.
The First Minister featured in an Instagram story Jennifer posted, pointing out strong women who have led their countries through pandemic uncertainty.
Her caption read: “While the world has been distracted by the noise of those resistant to change, the change has been happening anyway.
“Empower women and change the world.”
Emma Thompson
The glamorous celebrity has strong Scottish ties, and even stayed in the country during lockdown.
The 62-year-old is widely known as a British performer, but one of her parents is actually from the heart of Glasgow.
When the pandemic hit, Emma and her hubby took shelter in their second home along the bonnie banks of Loch Eck.
She has fond memories in Dunoon, and previously spoke to the BBC about time spent by its scenic body of water.
She said: “I’ve played on its banks, picnicked on its beaches, swum in its chilly, unsalted depths, cycled round it, drunk it, got drunk near it, kissed in boats on it, got married near it and never wearied of it.”
The blonde bombshell also weighed in on the topic of Scottish independence during the referendum, while taking part in an interview related to Disney film Brave – where she played Queen Elinor.
She said: “Why insist on building a new border between human beings in an ever-shrinking world where we are still struggling to live alongside each other?”