Merchiston Castle School

Merchiston Castle School is a boarding school for boys aged 7 to 18 in Colinton on the southwestern edge of Edinburgh. The site spreads across multiple buildings with classrooms, boarding houses, sports pitches and green spaces linked by pathways and open lawns.

Charles Chalmers founded the school in 1833 at the original Merchiston Castle, the former home of 16th-century mathematician John Napier. The institution later moved to Colinton but kept the historic name and grew into a leading school in Scotland.

The campus sits in southwest Edinburgh and serves boys who live on site during term and attend lessons in smaller class groups. The name comes from the historic castle that once stood on this land and now forms part of the school identity.

The grounds are private and open only to students and visitors with appointments during term time. Public events such as sports matches or performances take place occasionally and are open to guests at those times.

The school has its own tartan pattern designed in 1988 that combines elements of the Napier tartan with the school colors. This tartan is worn on special occasions and on school clothing and represents an uncommon feature for an educational institution.

Location: City of Edinburgh

Location: Edinburgh

Inception: 1833

Website: http://merchiston.co.uk

GPS coordinates: 55.91196,-3.25558

Latest update: December 5, 2025 22:29