Merchiston, Edinburgh

Merchiston is the only boys’ independent boarding and day school in Scotland offering the English curriculum, and has a global, outward-looking dimension. Merchiston takes pride in specialising in the education of boys and preparing them for the world, developing aspirational, and sensitive, yet gentle-men. Think about a wonderfully caring and nurturing family environment, where they will learn to like learning more. Merchiston is committed to leading students towards personal excellence and has an impressive record of helping boys excel far beyond their expected results at GCSE/IGCSE and A level.

Boarding life

We provide a stimulating, challenging, yet supportive and encouraging environment where your son can grow up surrounded by his friends within our unique house structure. There is never a dull moment as we provide a full boarding programme seven days a week. Essentially, Merchiston is about relationships and partnerships – between the boys and the staff, and between the school and the home of each pupil.

Co-curricular

The co-curricular programme at Merchiston delivers life skills, such as leadership, teamwork, and mentoring through the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme, Combined Cadet Force, prefectship, teamwork in the community and other activities. Music and drama are major parts of life at Merchiston, giving pupils of all ages have the chance to be involved, either performing on stage or working behind the scenes. These is an orchestra and other instrumental groups, including pipe bands and three choirs. Links with girls’ schools Merchiston also benefits from its strong links with local girls’ schools for drama and musical performances, other cultural events and social gatherings. Plans for the future The school has, over the past 40 years, built new teaching facilities and boarding accommodation to support its pupils’ high academic aspirations. Merchiston is now turning its attention to its sporting facilities, including a new sports complex consisting of two multi-use sports halls, a large fitness suite, dedicated classrooms and meeting spaces, and a six-lane, 25m swimming pool, and, uniquely in Scotland, an all-weather multi-purpose 3G artificial grass playing surface. ‘In every respect – academic, sporting and pastoral – the school has exceeded our expectations.’ Parent