Trips
Every year, a considerable number of trips out of school take place. Some are annual, some operate every two or three years, and some are ‘one-off’ ventures. Most are linked to departmental activities: for example, visits to France or Germany, or exploring the landscape of Iceland; some are sport-related tours; others involve outward-bound type work, sometimes with a community work element.
Trips and expeditions which are regularly scheduled include Blakerston Camps, Duke of Edinburgh Award assessments, First Form activities camp at Loch Insh, Third Form to Normandy, rugby tours in the UK and abroad, Ski trip, CCF Camps, visit to Cologne, China trip and exchange to Zhuhai.
This is in addition to field trips in subjects such as Geography and Biology.
Work rebuilding a school was undertaken on a summer expedition to Fiji.
Trips News
![Pipe Band & Close Harmony Group at Tartan Week]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1712153703/merchistoncouk/jvsvikoyyhx4mx7ogiz3/NewYork800x800.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1712153703/merchistoncouk/jvsvikoyyhx4mx7ogiz3/NewYork800x800.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1712153703/merchistoncouk/jvsvikoyyhx4mx7ogiz3/NewYork800x800.png","width":800}])
Our Pipe Band and Close Harmony Group choir have set off for New York to take part in the 26th annual Tartan Day parade.
The boys have had an extra special start to their journey, as they have flown on a plane piloted by the father of one of the band.
![Hamilton. Photo by Danny Kaan.]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1710930394/merchistoncouk/lmz9aitojlvj8fpge99y/Hamilton800x800.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1710930394/merchistoncouk/lmz9aitojlvj8fpge99y/Hamilton800x800.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1710930394/merchistoncouk/lmz9aitojlvj8fpge99y/Hamilton800x800.png","width":800}])
Last Monday a group of sixty boys went to the Edinburgh Festival Theatre to watch Hamilton, the American theatrical phenomenon that is currently in Edinburgh as part of its first ever UK tour.
![4th form glaciation trip]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1710846778/merchistoncouk/g3ezolgf4b1blbmta3ce/4thGeographyglaciationtrip.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1710846778/merchistoncouk/g3ezolgf4b1blbmta3ce/4thGeographyglaciationtrip.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1710846778/merchistoncouk/g3ezolgf4b1blbmta3ce/4thGeographyglaciationtrip.png","width":800}])
The 4th form boys boys travelled to Grey Mair's Tail in the Southern Uplands. It is one of the most spectacular landmarks in Southern Scotland with the waterfall, one of the UK’s highest, plunging 60m down into the Moffat Water Valley.
![Pekka Kuusisto performing with Scottish Chamber Orchestra. Photo credit: Christopher Bowen]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1710932335/merchistoncouk/mrluj4m5rlvzpjgld0sc/PekkaKuusisto.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1710932335/merchistoncouk/mrluj4m5rlvzpjgld0sc/PekkaKuusisto.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1710932335/merchistoncouk/mrluj4m5rlvzpjgld0sc/PekkaKuusisto.png","width":800}])
On Thursday 7th March a group of students went to the Usher Hall on a trip to see the Scottish Chamber Orchestra playing a concert of music inspired by nature.
![RSNO concert]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1709728294/merchistoncouk/pj9nasefdqc1rip5qick/RSNO800x800.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1709728294/merchistoncouk/pj9nasefdqc1rip5qick/RSNO800x800.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1709728294/merchistoncouk/pj9nasefdqc1rip5qick/RSNO800x800.png","width":800}])
A number of the senior pupils had the opportunity to see the Royal Scottish National Orchestra (RSNO) perform some of John Williams’ best known works at the Usher Hall in Edinburgh.
![Image of Sixth Form students at Merchiston Castle School setting up outdoor lunch during an expedition to Costa Rica]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1698941070/merchistoncouk/okckkdenfmejaw3frg4e/CostaRica_October2023-800X800.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1698941070/merchistoncouk/okckkdenfmejaw3frg4e/CostaRica_October2023-800X800.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1698941070/merchistoncouk/okckkdenfmejaw3frg4e/CostaRica_October2023-800X800.jpg","width":800}])
An incredible account of the Half Term multi-disciplinary expedition to Costa Rica!
![pupils of Merchiston Castle School experiencing the historic classroom at New Lanark]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1687776940/merchistoncouk/tbxdxzyiflfxurcm1tja/ThirdFormTriptoNewLanark_800X800.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1687776940/merchistoncouk/tbxdxzyiflfxurcm1tja/ThirdFormTriptoNewLanark_800X800.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1687776940/merchistoncouk/tbxdxzyiflfxurcm1tja/ThirdFormTriptoNewLanark_800X800.jpg","width":800}])
Our Third Form pupils visited the historic mill at New Lanark and stepped back in time to experience life back in Robert Owen's day.
![Group of Shell students from Merchiston Castle School standing in front of an enclosure at Edinburgh Zoo during a school trip]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1683034471/merchistoncouk/cznb6so6uduk8ny6su9b/MandarinTriptoEdinburghZoo2023_800X800.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1683034471/merchistoncouk/cznb6so6uduk8ny6su9b/MandarinTriptoEdinburghZoo2023_800X800.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1683034471/merchistoncouk/cznb6so6uduk8ny6su9b/MandarinTriptoEdinburghZoo2023_800X800.jpg","width":800}])
Find out more about our Shell Mandarin trip to Edinburgh Zoo last Wednesday!
![View of Merchiston boys trekking in a glacier durinng their field trip to Iceland]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1680782729/merchistoncouk/uau8lhhhnaaumpw4pmrw/IcelandGeographyTrip2023_800X800.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1680782729/merchistoncouk/uau8lhhhnaaumpw4pmrw/IcelandGeographyTrip2023_800X800.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1680782729/merchistoncouk/uau8lhhhnaaumpw4pmrw/IcelandGeographyTrip2023_800X800.jpg","width":800}])
As everyone enjoys some well-earned rest, we revel in the unforgettable memories of our Geography trip to Iceland.
