Nicky Campbell Says Memories of Edinburgh Academy Abuse Still Haunt Him

Broadcaster Nicky Campbell has described being haunted by memories of his school years as a Scottish inquiry reported decades of abuse at Edinburgh Academy. Campbell, who attended the private school between 1966 and 1978, gave evidence to the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry (SCAI), according to the report. The inquiry examined sexual, physical and emotional abuse at the school from the 1950s through the 1980s. Its chair, Lady Smith, said some boarders had lived in a “permanent state of fear” and concluded that the school had prioritised protecting its reputation while failing to respond properly to complaints. The report named four serial perpetrators, including former staff members Hamish Dawson and John Brownlee. Dawson was a housemaster and senior teacher; Brownlee served as a housemaster and deputy head of the junior school. The inquiry also addressed abuse by teacher Iain Wares, who later offended at Fettes College and is facing extradition from South Africa, and physics teacher William Bain, who has twice been convicted of sex offences. A victim identified to the inquiry as Henri described abuse and bullying as part of everyday life for pupils, alongside a lack of safeguarding and pastoral care. His account portrayed an environment in which serious harm to children could go unchecked. Edinburgh Academy reiterated its sincere apology to those affected and said it is educating current pupils in a caring and supportive environment. Campbell’s recollections were among the testimony considered as the inquiry set out the scale of the historical failures and the harm suffered by pupils.