Independent Schools 
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

Find information on primary and secondary schools in and around Edinburgh. Details include Headteachers, Principals, Rectors, and Heads of School, appointment dates, educational backgrounds, and previous experience.

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.

Loretto invites prospective Junior and Senior pupils to experience lessons, activities and school life at its October taster days on 27 and 30 October.

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

Some of Belhaven’s Cross-Country Winners Running and Sport Should Be a ‘Lifelong Companion’ in Education Belhaven Hill School in East Lothian has just welcomed 140 young runners to its first ever annual Belhaven P1-4 Cross-Country event for 4-8-year-olds. It now takes its place as the sister event to the biggest cross-country competition in the annual prep schools’ calendar for 8-13-year-olds – The Belhaven Cross-Country Championships, sponsored by McInroy & Wood. That is n

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

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

By St. Mary's School The Great Scottish Double Bass Day CALLING ALL BASS PLAYERS OF ALL AGES AND EVEN... BASSISTS TO BE! St Mary's Music School and the Scottish Bass Trust are delighted to come together to present the Great Scottish Double Bass Day, bringing their shared passion for the double bass to a full day of workshops, ensemble playing, jazz and much, much more. The day is an opportunity for double bass players of all ages and experience levels to come together, get in

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

Many independent schools hold weekly stay-and-play events for parents, babies and toddlers. These provide a fantastic opportunity for you and your child to explore and make friends. If you’re in the process of choosing a nursery, this is also an ideal occasion for you to get a real feel for a place and the team who work there. NB: We didn’t find regular weekly events at every independent school. But it’s worth following potential nurseries and schools on social media. That w

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.

St George's School, Edinburgh appoints Roedean Head Niamh Green as its next Head. She brings 20+ years' experience in girls' education, succeeding Carol Chandler-Thompson.

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 Heriots School George Heriot's School students Rufus and Andrew at the pre-season hockey training at Goldenacre George Heriot’s School has welcomed planning approval from the City of Edinburgh Council’s Development Management Sub-Committee for a new full-size all-weather pitch at Goldenacre. The new facility will provide increased year-round opportunities for children and young people to take part in sport and create additional capacity for local clubs and community u

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.

ESS opens a sixth kindergarten, Seedlings, in the new academic year for the youngest pupils aged 2 years old. Edinburgh Steiner School re-establishes its Kindergarten for 2-year-olds form 25th August, named Seedlings, as its early years provision grows. The vertical age range has always been an important part of Waldorf pedagogy in the Early Years. When it was decided last year that a dedicated Treetops Kindergarten would best serve the oldest ones in the Blackbird, Greenfin

George Heriot’s School celebrates record-breaking exam results in 2026, with highest-ever A grades at Higher and Advanced Higher, a 97.4% pass rate at National 5, and outstanding achievements across all levels.

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.

Looking to keep your child active and engaged this August? Loretto School's holiday club and activity camps will do just that. Holiday Club Loretto Holiday Club is the perfect place for children aged four to nine this summer, with fun-filled days packed with creativity, adventure, and activity. From arts and crafts and baking to big games, local outings, and plenty of supervised free play, there is something for everyone. Children can follow their interests and help shape the

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.

George Heriot's Trust appoints Carma Elliot CMG OBE as new Chair of Governors from July 2026, alongside four new board members. Read more.

Loretto Golf Academy appoints Joanne Free, former Scotland international and US collegiate golfer, strengthening its coaching team and expanding opportunities for young players.

The Edinburgh Academy is a co-educational day school in Edinburgh, catering to pupils aged 2 to 18. We asked the school to provide an overview of the kind of experience and ethos that pupils can expect. What personal qualities does The Edinburgh Academy aim to develop in its pupils? At The Edinburgh Academy, education goes beyond excellent exam results. We combine academic excellence with Character Education—nurturing kind, confident and resilient young people. How does the A

Edinburgh is set to become one of Scotland’s first authorities to ban mobile phones in schools, introducing bell-to-bell restrictions with lockable pouches for secondary pupils and cabinets for primary pupils, backed by a £400k budget and feedback from almost 14,000 respondents.

Starting August 2026, ESMS will unite ESMS Junior School, The Mary Erskine School and Stewart’s Melville College into one co-educational 3–18 campus, strengthening arts, wellbeing and outdoor learning, with extensive clubs and activities.

Dollar Academy, just 30–40 minutes from Edinburgh, is a leading day and boarding school for ages 5–18. Voted European School of the Year 2025–26, it offers 120+ co-curriculars, strong university destinations, and family-style boarding on a 70-acre campus.

Emma Rattigan explains why Edinburgh Montessori Arts School is an arts school: a learning space where creativity drives inquiry, exploration, and growth—without judgment.

Mark Becher, Headmaster of The Compass School in Haddington, has just completed a formidable coast-to-coast walking challenge across Scotland and, in so doing, has so far raised over £6300 for the Edinburgh Children’s Hospital Charity. Mark began his journey in the town of Ayr (where he was born and grew up) last Sunday (24 May) and in the days that followed, travelled across the country to the school where he has spent almost half his life, The Compass in Haddington, arrivi

An invitation to all parents of 3-5 year olds from Fettes Prep School. The event invites curious explorers aged 3–5 years to a fun-filled morning on Friday, 12 June, from 9:00 to 10:30 a.m. at Fettes Pre-Prep. Participants will explore the 100 acres to search for hidden mini creatures, discover nature, and experience outdoor learning the Fettes way. Registration is available here. Spaces are limited, so early booking is recommended. Parents are invited to learn more about Fet

Jill Drummond, Headteacher at Clifton Hall School, discusses the importance of play-based learning and outdoor education in early years development, and introduces the new Cedar Early Years Centre opening in August 2026.

Here's a quick A–Z listing of the top independent schools in Edinburgh and the Lothians. For this year, fees, pupil numbers, headteacher, examinations taken and much more, see purchase a copy of the glossy magazine posted to your door: 2026/27 Nursery and School Guide Magazine or log in here to read FREE DIGITAL EDITION. Belhaven Hill School Belhaven Hill School Dunbar, EH42 1NN 01368 862785 admissions@belhavenhill.com What Co-educational preparatory school, with day and boa

Discover why parents choose Cargilfield: excellent academics, diverse activities, and a nurturing environment. Named Best UK Prep School 2026. Book a visit

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

Essential guide for Edinburgh parents: find 100+ nurseries, compare state & private schools, understand the education system, and discover local children's activities.

Regius School is an independent Christian school for P1–S2 with small class sizes, personalised learning, outdoor education, and flexible pathways rooted in Christian values.

By Merchiston School, Edinburgh Set within 100 acres of beautiful woodland and parkland, Merchiston Castle School provides an education shaped by caring relationships, high expectations and meaningful opportunities. Our campus offers a safe and inspiring environment where children can explore, learn and grow in every direction. The Forest at Merchiston offers a co-educational Nursery and Primary experience, rolling through to P7 by 2028. A strong academic curriculum is seamle

Clifton Hall School, Edinburgh, describes itself as a warm school with a supportive education, no entrance exams, a bespoke Nursery, and excellent sport, arts, and pastoral care.

Nursery & School Guide marks 21 years by merging into a single Edinburgh & Lothians edition, available in print or online. Founded in 2005 by Nikki Miller, it lists and ranks schools (independent/state) and daycare nurseries.

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.

Emma Rattigan, Principal at Edinburgh Montessori Art School, shows how Montessori principles blend with a vibrant arts program to nurture curious, independent learners.