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- In 1833, the School was founded in the old Merchiston Tower (now part of Napier University) with 20 pupils and 5 masters when Mr Charles Chalmers took the lease of Merchiston Tower, the former home of John Napier of logarithm fame, which then stood in rural surroundings, and opened his Academy. Like his famous brother, Dr Thomas Chalmers, mathematician, physicist and theologian, Charles was an original thinker in Maths and Science. Before May 1833, the School was located in 3 Park Place, where the McEwan Hall now stands – the Choral Society will be singing in the McEwan Hall on Sunday 2 March and we will all be in attendance. Mr Chalmers started by taking pupils who mainly attended the university. In 1832 he took junior pupils, the nucleus of the future school.
- The School was situated on the Merchiston Tower site from 1833 to 1930. During this time, Merchiston grew, and so did the boundaries of the City of Edinburgh. The Governors decided to move the School to Colinton so that the 210 students should once again enjoy the advantages of both town and country. The present site of Colinton House was purchased in 1924; the new School opened its doors in 1930 and today’s roll stands at 435 pupils. As you have heard me say on many an occasion, the Memorial Hall was intentionally placed at the centre of the School.
- 1933 saw Merchiston’s 100 th Anniversary, otherwise known as our Centenary. The Centenary celebrations were combined with a Merchistonian weekend and Prizegiving. The climax of the celebrations came when the School was honoured by the presence of Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of York, afterwards Their Majesties King George VI and Queen Elizabeth, the parents of the present Queen. Her Royal Highness planted a tree to commemorate the visit, and, interestingly, in memory of the visit the Headmaster of the day promised that all succeeding generations of boys should enjoy a whole day’s holiday once a year, to be called the Duke of York’s holiday. This was in an era before leave-outs and even half terms! However, it may be worth investigating this.
- As a matter of interest, an official School song, Ready Ay Ready, was first performed at the 1883 Jubilee Celebrations. The present School song was written around 1948 by C G R Mair (a Merchistonian). As you know, it is still sung on many occasions, and especially at Prizegiving; up until 1981 the Captain of School sang the 1 st verse on his own. It may be worth resurrecting this custom this year!
- 1983 saw Merchiston celebrate its 150 th Anniversary. The celebrations included sporting events, dinners, a celebration weekend, and indeed the visit of Her Majesty The Queen, who also graciously planted a tree. You will see photos of her visit in the Old Library.
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