Independent School Open Days & Taster Events
in Edinburgh & the Lothians

13 November 2026 | 1.45pm – 3pm George Heriot’s School welcomes families who are looking for a place in Senior School. Come see lessons in action, meet Senior School Leadership staff, explore the sports facilities, talk to the specialist teachers behind our sector-leading Education Scotland Inspection result, and more. This is an excellent opportunity for families who have not visited Heriot's before. Come and see lessons in action, meet with Senior School Leadership staff, e

The Music School Open Day will be on Saturday 7th November 2026 from 11 am to 2 pm at Broughton High School. Students and staff from Primary Music School (Flora Stevens) will also be there. It will be as relaxed and informal as possible. Sample lessons will take place, with student performances and plenty of students, staff, and parents around to chat to. Everyone is very welcome to join us. Find out more about the school here: The City of Edinburgh Music School is open to al

Experience Middle School Event Date & Time: Friday 13 November 2026, 1.30 pm - 3.00 pm St. George's School is hosting a Taster Afternoon where prospective families with girls currently in P5 or lower can learn about the school's transition from primary to secondary education. Visitors will have the opportunity to meet Middle School (P6-S1) staff, participate in activity sessions, and hear directly from girls about their journey through the school. The event features a live Q&

George Watson's College looks forward to welcoming families this November and December to taster events. These events offer an opportunity to meet passionate teachers, engage in activities, and experience what life at the college is all about. Personal tours are also available for families to see the school, hear from pupils, and meet the leadership team.

This guide provides dates for Independent School Taster Events in Edinburgh & Lothians 2026. Each school profile also links directly to our podcast episode, featuring candid conversations with headteachers about their vision, values, facilities, and what makes their school unique. Hear directly from school leaders about curriculum innovation, pastoral care, boarding options, and more.

Primary 3-6 Taster Afternoon Fri 30 Oct 2026 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM The Edinburgh Academy Junior School, EH3 5PL Ignite a spark for learning Is your child currently in Primary 3 to Primary 6? Come along and experience EA’s exciting specialist lessons. From Science and Art to Sport and Music, our dedicated specialist teachers in the Junior School give children the chance to discover new interests, try something different and enjoy learning in a whole new way. Parents are warmly i

By St Mary’s Music School Join us for an interactive day of music making. Are you thinking about taking your musical journey to the next level? Come along to St Mary’s Music School for a fully interactive Instrumental Taster Morning! Whether you are considering a Specialist Musical Education for your child, or just looking for more musical experience, this morning is open to young musicians from P4 to S2. This fully interactive morning is a fantastic opportunity to work with

Find the perfect fit for your child This checklist is designed to guide your decision-making process when choosing a school for your child. Not all questions will be relevant, but all are designed to help you identify your priorities for your child and your family. There are no ‘correct’ answers. They also serve as a starting point for questions to ask yourself, then pick those to ask during an open day, a private tour with a pupil, or when meeting the head. An open day is a

What if being ready for school wasn’t just about being old enough? At Edinburgh Steiner School, formal classroom learning begins at age six. Before then, children learn through movement, outdoor play, storytelling, and hands-on making. Building the language, coordination, and imagination that form the foundation for academic success. Starting formal education later doesn't mean lower expectations. It means meeting children at the right developmental moment. In a fast-paced wo

Author: The Montessori Primary School

Murrayfield Thinking about the right environment for your child? Come and discover the welcoming, multicultural community here at The Montessori Primary School 💛 At the Montessori School, 6-12 year old children work in small, mixed-age groups on a variety of projects which spark the imagination, engage the intellect, and develop their reasoning abilities. They learn through hands-on discovery with purposefully designed, inspiring mater

Author: The Montessori Nursery Looking for the right early years experience for your child? 💫 Come along to our next open day and explore life at The Montessori Nursery! Imagine a learning environment where your child is free to move, choose activities that excite them, and discover new concepts through experience rather than memorisation. That’s the heart of the Montessori teaching method. The ideal age to enrol a child in a Montessori school is between 2.5 and 6 years old.

We welcome primary pupils P3-P5 who enjoy singing for a special opportunity to participate alongside the Choristers of St Mary's Episcopal Cathedral - Friday, 23 October.

Make informed decisions about your child's education! This guide provides Edinburgh Open Day dates for 2026, giving you the opportunity to visit schools and learn more. Find the perfect independent school for your child in South, West, North Edinburgh, East Lothian, and beyond.

Follow the rainbow to Cargilfield School this autumn — Scotland's oldest prep school & Best Prep School in the UK 2026. Join our Family Fun Day (19 Sept) or Open Morning (2 Oct). Nursery to age 13, Edinburgh & Lothians. Book your visit today.

Choosing the right school is more than a visit. Experience life at George Watson's College through Open Mornings, Taster events & personal tours. Find where your child belongs.

More than 2,200 students walk through the doors on Monday 24 August 2026 as Erskine Stewart Melville embarks on a landmark new chapter in its history, marking the start of a new academic year and a transformative period for one of Scotland's leading independent schools.

By Loretto Your Child's Next Chapter Starts at Loretto Discover a place where every child belongs. At Loretto, every pupil is truly known; their individual talents and passions are nurtured, and they are given the support and encouragement they need to thrive. Choosing the right school for your child is one of the most important decisions you can make as a parent - and there's no better way to help you decide than by attending an Open Event. Loretto Open Days offer a genuine

Discover what makes all-girls education so empowering at St George's Open Day (3rd Oct) and School in Action morning (6th Oct). See where confidence meets high ambition.

Discover Dollar Academy at its annual Open Day, Sat 5 September 2026, 10am–1pm. Tour the multi-award-winning campus at the foot of the Ochil Hills and meet staff, pupils and teachers.

Discover The Edinburgh Academy: A co-educational school where Character Education, small class sizes, and expert staff help pupils thrive from Nursery to Senior Years. Open Day Saturday, 12 September 2026 Register now.

The Montessori School in Murrayfield nurtures confident learners aged 2½-12. Discover their personalised Montessori approach in Edinburgh's leafy surroundings.

Merchiston Castle School invites prospective Sixth Form entrants to step into Sixth Form life, meet pupils and staff, and observe learning in action within the dedicated Sixth Form House. Whether considering day or boarding, Merchiston Castle School’s Sixth Form Open House offers an authentic glimpse into the community, support, and opportunities that make the Sixth Form a unique place to grow and thrive. The event takes place on Friday, 8 May, from 2:00–4:00 PM. Registration

Cargilfield is Scotland’s first prep school near Edinburgh, offering 150+ years of excellence with outstanding academics and rich extracurriculars. Book a visit at cargilfield.com.

Join Edinburgh Steiner School on May 1 for an Open Tour and discover Waldorf education with screen-free classrooms, lifelong teacher continuity, and a broad, holistic program.

Families considering Year Two to Seven (6 yrs - 10 yrs) options for their children are warmly invited to attend Loretto Junior School’s Taster Day on Monday, 4th May. This is the perfect opportunity for you and your child to experience Loretto’s close-knit community and nurturing environment, according to Loretto's admissions team. You and your child will discover the exceptional opportunities on offer, including an expansive extracurricular programme and Forest School. Du

George Watson's College Junior School is hosting a Playdate for families considering Preschool to P3 on: Saturday, 9 May 2026, from 10:00 am to 12:00 noon. The morning offers discovery activities for children, with opportunities for parents to meet teachers and the leadership team, and to tour the Preschool and Lower Primary to learn what makes the school truly special. Personal tours are also available to see the school, hear from pupils, and meet our leadership team if you

St Mary’s Music School offers a relaxed Pre-Audition Afternoon for P3–P5 pupils to explore chorister life, blending outstanding musical training, strong academics, and a centuries-old choral tradition.

🌲 Forest Friday Open Day – Friday 17th April Clifton Hall School invites families with children in Nursery to Primary 2 to its Forest Friday Open Day. Set within the school's private woodland, the immersive open morning and afternoon will offer children the chance to explore, play and create in nature. Families will participate in a range of age-appropriate woodland-themed arts, crafts and games, designed to encourage curiosity, confidence and a love of outdoor learning. Act

Leading independent Scottish school, Loretto , is holding a Senior School Open Day with a twist on Saturday 7 th March. The Edinburgh-based boarding and day school is offering families the opportunity to individualise their school visit, with custom tours tailored to the prospective pupil’s personal interests and ambitions. Attendees can share their areas of interest and pre-select their chosen subjects to design an open morning entirely catered to their needs, with teac

The Forest at Merchiston hosts an Open Day on 21 March 2026 (9:30–11:30), inviting families to discover outdoor learning as the woodland wakes—nursery to P5 welcome.

Christian Education to Transform a Generation Regius School invites the community to an open day event on 13 March 2026, from 1:00 to 3:00 PM Attendees will explore the school's nurturing environment, meet its dedicated educators, and discover how Regius School empowers students in their God-given callings. Regius School is an independent Christian school for children from P1 to S2, dedicated to nurturing each child and enabling them to reach their full potential. Small class

Clifton Hall School: small class sizes, nurturing learning, and no entrance exams on 52 private acres near Edinburgh. Book a Stay and Play session.

Belhaven Hill School in Dunbar, Scotland unveils A Lifelong Companion, a film that shows how Belhaven's prep boarding education sparks lifelong friendships, love of learning, and lasting achievement.

Families are invited to see St Georges School in Action on Friday, 13 March 2026, 9:30 am–12 pm, with campus tours, lessons in action, boarding options, and clubs

Join Cargilfield Nursery on Friday, March 6th, 2026, from 9:30 AM to 11:00 AM for Play & Explore morning! Discover our nurturing environment, meet our Early Years team, and see how we foster confidence and curiosity in children under 5. Book your spot today!

Fettes College, a leading Edinburgh boarding and day school for ages 5-18, offers a world-class education on a stunning 100-acre campus. Discover how Fettes unlocks potential and prepares students for the future. Register for the Open Day on February 28th, 2026.

St Mary’s Music School invites families to its Chorister Pre-Audition Afternoon, a relaxed and welcoming introduction designed especially for P4 pupils who love to sing and are interested in becoming full-time choristers from September 2026. The event sits within the school’s celebrated chorister program, which offers children a unique combination of outstanding musical training, a first-class academic education, and participation in a centuries-old choral tradition. All chor

St Mary’s Music School hosts immersive taster days designed to give young musicians a genuine preview of life as a pupil. Slightly different from a standard open day, the school runs a number of instrumental taster days throughout the year, inviting aspiring players to join in a fun, interactive day of music. Pupils and visitors alike are encouraged to bring their instrument and dive into a world of melody and rhythm. Instrumental Taster Days These days are suitable for child

Discover Loretto Open Events: tour the 85-acre campus, meet staff, and learn how your child can thrive. RSVP for Junior School 27 Feb or Senior School 7 Mar.

Discover The Compass: Open Days in Autumn and Spring, with the next on 7 March 2026. Year‑round tours, priority admissions, and flexible start ages 4–12.

Merchiston School invites families to Open House, a series of relaxed Friday afternoon visits offering an authentic glimpse of life on campus for both day and boarding pupils. Dates: 6 February, 13 March, 24 April, 2–4 PM. Register online via the site, or contact admissions@merchiston.co.uk with any questions.

P1/P2 Hive at Fettes Pre-Prep Open Afternoon Fettes Pre-Prep will host an Open Afternoon for the P1/P2 Hive on Friday 23 January from 3–4 pm. The event highlights how curiosity is encouraged, confidence is nurtured, and a love of learning begins within the Pre-Prep Years. Families will have the opportunity to meet the dedicated team, explore the welcoming classrooms, and experience the nurturing environment provided for the youngest pupils. This Open Afternoon offers a wonder

Clifton Hall School in Edinburgh hosts a free, adults-only workshop for families with children aged 3–6 on 30 April, 6–7 pm, covering phonics, early numeracy, outdoor learning, and readiness for primary education. Register via the contact form for Preparing for Primary One.

Two ways to discover Loretto School Musselburgh for Pre-Schoolers: join a Stay and Play session or attend Open Days. Book via the link or admissions@loretto.com.

Discover Clifton Hall School's Nursery! Explore a nurturing environment for children aged 3-5 at our Stay & Play session. Explore our garden, playrooms, and Forest Kindergarten. Arrange a personalised visit today.

Cargilfield School and Nursery Open Days • Open Morning: Friday, January 16th, 2026, 9:00 am - 12:30 pm. Experience a regular school morning with tours, meetings, and a look at lessons and activities. • Nursery Play & Explore Mornings: Friday, January 30th & Friday, March 6th, 2026, 9:30 am - 11:00 am. Relaxed sessions for prospective nursery parents to meet the team and explore the spaces. Both events require booking through a provided form.

On Friday, 27 February 2026, Erskine Stewart Melville will host 'Tea, Talk & Tour,' an intimate event designed to provide families with a unique opportunity to experience the school and gain insights into its community. This event is specifically tailored for families seeking a relaxed environment to engage in conversations, ask questions, and discover what life is like at Erskine Stewart Melville. Attendees will be welcomed into the Principal's Study for refreshments and di

At St George’s, girls thrive in a nurturing, confidence-building environment that offers early leadership opportunities and strong support throughout every stage. The S1 entrance assessments are scheduled for Friday, 16 January, and Tuesday, 20 January 2026. For a clear, simple overview of what to expect, readers can take a look at the article linked here 👉 The article includes information on assessment formats, criteria beyond test results, the school's welcoming process

Discover Cargilfield, Scotland's First Prep School! Celebrating 150 years of excellence, we offer a dynamic, enriching environment where every child thrives. From outstanding academics to vibrant activities, experience the adventure at Cargilfield!

Discover Fettes Prep: a leading school fostering critical thinking, collaboration, and kindness in a supportive environment. Prepare your child for the future with our innovative approach and superb facilities. Visit our Open Day on October 4th! Register now at fettes.com.