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The Edinburgh Independent Schools Christmas Quiz

Cargilfield

How well do you know your Edinburgh independent schools? Here's a quick quiz for the festive season, with one question about 14 independent schools in Edinburgh and the Lothians. We start with some "give me" questions....



  1. Tony Blair, the former British Prime Minister, is perhaps one of the most famous alumnus of which school located in Edinburgh?


  1. Which all-boys school is the only one of its kind in Edinburgh and Scotland?


  1. Which school moved in 1898 from Trinity in Edinburgh to its current location in Barnton?


  1. St George's School is unique among Edinburgh’s independent schools for what primary reason?


  1. Which school is Edinburgh's and Scotland's largest single-campus school with over 2,300 pupils?


  1. George Heriot’s School is the oldest (now independent) school, established for "faitherless bairns" in 1628 with funds from "Jinglin' Geordie," who served as a goldsmith to which British monarch?


  1. Which schools have merged into a new structure in August 2026 with a new name and uniform badge?


  1. Which Junior school does not have a Primary 7 class - instead pupils move up to the senior school and are called 'Geits'.


  1. Which Independent School’s boys' uniform does not include a tie?


  1. Which East Lothian Independent School has its own heated outdoor pool?


  1. Which school has a dedicated class teacher that typically stays with the same cohort of students for the full eight-year period (from ages 6/7 to 13/14). This teacher is responsible for the daily "Main Lesson" and serves as a consistent authority figure and mentor.


  1. How many Montessori Primary schools and Montessori Secondary Schools are there in Edinburgh?


  1. Which school boasts a famous alumnus in two-time Formula 1 World Champion racer Jim Clark and comedian, impressionist, playwright, Rory Bremner?


  1. Which East Lothian school has the longest-serving Head Master since 1997?



Answers:


  1. Fettes College

  2. Merchiston Castle School

  3. Cargilfield

  4. It is an all-girls school

  5. George Watson's College

  6. King James VI

  7. The Mary Erskine School and Stewart's Melville College Senior Schools to Erskine Stewart Melville all through school.

  8. The Edinburgh Academy

  9. Loretto

  10. Belhaven Hill School

  11. Edinburgh Steiner School

  12. 2 Primary Schools and 1 Senior School

  13. Clifton Hall

  14. The Compass Haddington















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