At a sold-out special fundraising evening to mark the 60th anniversary of the Royal Lyceum Theatre in Edinburgh, he revealed stories about his teenage years spent working at the theatre.

Heughan also spoke about his early days filming Outlander, his plans for the future, and what it was like to play the lead in the Royal Shakespeare Company’s new production of Macbeth.

According to the BBC, on the night, he spoke about his time as a teenager in the 1990s working backstage as a member of the Lyceum Youth Theatre.

The 45-year-old, who shot to fame playing Highland Warrior Jamie Fraser in Outlander, was so keen to be in the theatre as youngster, he even worked as an usher and sold ice creams to audiences during the interval.

“I was determined to get an education in theatre and what better way to get to see theatre for free, night after night, just to watch,” he said.

“I remember sitting in the wings and watching so many great performers, like Caroline Devlin in Three Sisters.”

It was there where he made his first appearance in front of an audience as “spear carrier number two” during a production of Macbeth aged 18.

Royal Conservatoire ‘felt like home’ for Outlander star

An audition for the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland (then the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama) made him realise that was the place for him.

“I just felt at home from the moment I walked into the building,” said the Balmaclellan-born star, who moved to Edinburgh with his family when he was 12.

“I walked past the building the other day, and you can hear the opera music and the musicians and the actors and there’s just so much energy there.”

Outlander will draw to a close next month after eight seasons. It will mark 12 years after Heughan made his first appearance on the show.

Heughan said he did not predict the show would last beyond the first two series, nor the devotion that fans would have to the show.

“The first time we ever experienced it was when we were shooting the first season and we went to Los Angeles to do an event and there were thousands of people at the back of this theatre waiting for us,” he said.

“Diana Gabaldon’s books have always had a huge following but the show reached out to people who maybe didn’t know the books.

“I’m glad I was so naïve. I didn’t have any idea what it would be when I got on this rollercoaster, but it’s taken me to some amazing places.”

The show now branches into a prequel story about the parents of Sam’s character Jamie, and his wife Claire, played by Caitriona Balfe.

Outlander actor ‘ready to move on’ from role of Jamie

Heughan added that he’s never felt constricted by the character but said he was ready to move on from the role.

“Outlander gave me so much,” he said.

“I’m really thankful for it.

“But I’m also ready to do new things and it feels good to come back to where it all began.”

Last year, Heughan played the lead in the Royal Shakespeare Company’s new production of Macbeth.

He said his time in the production was ‘spectacular’ and it was ‘one of those dream moments when you have to pinch yourself’.

“I think every actor wants to do something different from what they’re doing,” he added.

“Film and TV has challenges but it’s nice to have a trailer and someone to make you cups of tea.

“But I also love being back on stage and I’d love to do more theatre.”