The School was established in 1833 and moved in 1930 from the centre of the city out to its present spacious and attractive site, bordered by the Water of Leith and close to the Pentland Hills.
There are 315 boys in the School, of whom 171 are boarders.
Admission. The normal ages of entry are 7–14 and 16, though from time to time there may be vacancies at other ages. Entry at 7–12 is by entrance assessment, interview and current school report; entry at 13 by the Common Entrance or Merchiston entrance examinations and current school report. Entry at 14 is by Merchiston entrance examinations. Entry to the Sixth Form at 16 depends on a successful showing in GCSE or National 4 and National 5 examinations as well as on interview, internal examination and a school report. Our approach to examination is very personable and we strive to make this as accessible as possible by facilitating online testing wherever possible. Entry is possible in all three terms, where vacancies permit.
A prospectus and further details may be obtained from the Admissions Office. Prospective parents are encouraged to visit the School. Information may be also found on our website (www.merchiston.co.uk) and via these links: Courses of study. In the Juniors the curriculum comprises English, English Literature, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, History, French, Latin, German, Spanish, Mandarin, Geography, Religious Studies, Art and Design, Music, PE, Electronics, Design and Technology, and Information Technology.
In the Middle School a 2-year course leading to GCSEs is followed, consisting of a core curriculum: English, English Literature, Mathematics, a foreign language (French, Spanish, Mandarin), IGCSE Biology, Chemistry and Physics, and a wide range of optional subjects, including History, a second foreign language, Electronics, Information Technology, Geography, Latin, Religious Studies (Philosophy and Ethics), Art and Design, Design and Technology, and Music.
A level options include English Literature, Mathematics, Further Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, French, Mandarin, Spanish, History, Geography, Economics, Government and Politics, Classical Civilisation, Religious Studies, PE, Information Technology, Latin, Design and Technology, Electronics (AS only) and Art. Other languages at A level (including German and Russian) are available on request. In addition to his main subjects, each boy follows a General Studies course offering Moral and Social Studies and Careers Guidance. Classes are small throughout the School, and all subjects are set by ability. The School prepares boys for entry to Oxford and Cambridge, as well as American colleges and universities (our students can now choose SAT prep as one of their Saturday Electives modules).
The School makes provision for specialist ESOL teaching for International students, including an opportunity to study GCSE English in the Upper Sixth year.
In 2024, university destinations included Glasgow, Edinburgh, St. Andrews, Nottingham, Exeter, Newcastle, Aberdeen and Manchester. Overseas university destinations include Germany, the Netherlands and the USA.
Houses. Fully refurbished Middle Year Boarding Houses and dedicated Sixth Form Boarding House with single, ensuite rooms. The Houseparents and House Tutors pay special attention to the care of the individual and to the development of both his studies and interests.
Day boys. The life of day boys is fully integrated with that of the boarders: all boys spend time together in class, on the sporting field and during extracurricular activities.
Games. The principal games are rugby, played in the Autumn and Lent Terms, and in the Summer Term cricket and athletics. Basketball and other indoor sports are houses in the sports hall, and there are great on-site facilities for other sports including hockey, football, squash, fives, and badminton. Our renowned Tennis and Golf Academies, led by expert coaching, can take full advantage of our on-site indoor Tennis Dome and of a strong partnership with a local Golf Club. Merchiston prides itself on fostering the pursuit of excellence in a sport-for-all environment. The School is currently represented nationally and internationally in many sports, such as athletics, cricket, golf, rugby and target shooting.
Music. Music plays an important part in the life of the School. Tuition is available in all keyboard and orchestral instruments; currently about 50 per cent of the School learn a musical instrument, and two choirs flourish. There is also a School orchestra, a close harmony group, a jazz band and two pipe bands. The choir and instrumentalists frequently go on tour, e.g. to the USA, the Far East, and Europe.
Drama. There is at least one major drama production a year, jointly staged with our sister school, as well as frequent House plays or drama workshop productions in a well-equipped, purpose-built theatre.
Art, Craft, Design and Technology, and Ceramics. The Art and Design Centre offers scope both within the curriculum and in the pupils’ free time for painting, pottery, metalwork, woodwork and design work. Courses in Computing and Electronics are also available both within the curriculum or in free time. Our state-of-the-art Design & Technology department benefit from both a traditional and modern set-up with pupils able to access laser cutters as well as 3D rapid prototype printers.
Societies. There is a wide variety of clubs, including chess, debating and electronics. Visits to theatres, concerts and exhibitions are a frequent part of a boy’s life at Merchiston. The Enlightened Curriculum uses Edinburgh as a prime resource for cultural experiences for all age groups.
CCF participation is voluntary (except for Shell form). CCF includes outward bound activities such as climbing, hillwalking, canoeing and camping. All senior boys at Merchiston also undertake a Bronze Duke of Edinburgh’s Award expedition, with participation at Silver and Gold level on a voluntary basis.
The School is also very active in community service work and the boys themselves are often involved in fundraisers for community projects and charitable causes.
Girls. The School does not accept girls beyond P3 but has a special relationship as brother/sister school with St George’s School for Girls, Edinburgh and this includes joint expeditions, concerts, tours, seminars, debating, drama, social events and study courses. Merchiston operates a joint fee scheme with St George’s. The Forest Nursery & Junior School at Merchiston is Co-Ed from nursery – P3.
Careers advice. An expert careers adviser supplements the advice of the Academic Leadership Team, Houseparents and Academic Tutors. In the LVI year, pupils attend timetabled lessons in Careers as part of the General Studies Programme of the Sixth Form, where they are also encouraged to take a Work Experience placement and to visit local universities in the month of June. When pupils start in the Shell, they undertake Cambridge Occupational Analysts (COA) Preview and Profile assessments. These assess each individual’s interests and abilities in several key cognitive areas. In the Fifth Form each individual has a discussion with the Head of Careers, during which interests are explored and feedback from the COA assessments is given. The discussion is focused on career areas of interest – as identified by the individual and the COA feedback – and identifying areas to be investigated, as well as touching on potential A level programmes. There is an annual HE & Careers Fair to which other local schools are invited. Merchiston also offers a Careers Café, a series of appointments throughout the year hosted by Alumni working in different fields to give our students advice for their future professional life.
Health. There is a medical centre in the charge of Registered Nurses and a Health Assistance; the School Doctor visits regularly.
Fees per term (2024-2025). Junior School: Day boys £6,190; Forms II and III: Boarders £10,380; Day boys £7,000. Senior School (Forms IV and above): Boarders £14,520; Day boys £10,530.
Sibling, Forces and Teaching Profession (means-tested) fee reductions are available.
Scholarships and bursaries. A range of scholarships are offered each year across different subject areas and carry a 5% reduction in school fees (this reduction was introduced from September 2024 with no retrospective financial reduction). Our Scholarships are awarded at two main entry points: Sixth Form Scholarship (16+) and Senior School Scholarship (13+). All applicants must also satisfy the academic entrance requirements for their age.
Means-tested financial assistance: where parental income is not sufficient to allow the pupil to attend Merchiston, parents may apply for means-tested financial assistance. Contact the Admissions Team for more information.
Forces: 10% fee remission is available to the sons of serving members of HM Forces.
Old boys. Known as Merchistonians and part of the Merchistonian Club. Former pupils include: The Rt Hon Lord John MacGregor, MP; Sir Peter Burt, former Chief Executive, Bank of Scotland; The Rt Hon Lord Kenneth Osborne PC, longest-serving judge of the current Scottish bench; Air Marshal Sir John Baird, Surgeon General of the British Armed Forces between 1997 and 2000; International Rugby Union players: N G R Mair, W S Glen, I H P Laughland, A C W Boyle, A H W Boyle, Q Dunlop, G R T Baird, J Jeffrey, P Walton, C Joiner, B R S Eriksson, D W Hodge, N J Mayer, I A Fullarton, P J Godman, F J M Brown, Sam Hidalgo-Clyne, Zach Mercer; Shane Corstorphine, former Senior Vice-President Skyscanner.
Charitable status. Merchiston Castle School is a Registered Charity, number SC016580. It aims to give each boy in his way the capacity and confidence to live in an uncertain world and to make that life as rich as possible; more specifically, to encourage him to work hard and to take pride in achievement, to think independently, to face up to challenges, to accept responsibility, to show concern for others and the environment, and to develop wider skills and interests.