Royal High School, Edinburgh

Royal High School, Edinburgh
Name	Royal High School
Caption	The former school building on Regent Road, now home to the Scottish Parliament.
Established	1128 (as the School of Holyrood); 1505 (royal charter)
Type	State secondary
Head label	Rector
Head	Pauline Walker
City	Edinburgh
Country	Scotland
Coordinates	55.953, -3.179
Website	https://www.royalhigh.edin.sch.uk/

Royal High School, Edinburgh. Founded in the 12th century, it is one of the oldest schools in Scotland and the world. The school received its royal charter from King James IV in 1505, cementing its status. It has occupied several historic sites in Edinburgh, most notably a prominent Greek Revival building on Calton Hill. Today, it operates as a co-educational, non-denominational state school serving the north of the city.

History

The school's origins trace to the monastic School of Holyrood, established around 1128 within the precincts of Holyrood Abbey. In 1505, a royal charter from James IV of Scotland formally established it as a public school, a foundational moment for Scottish education. It moved to a site near Blackfriars Monastery in 1578 before relocating to a building on Infirmary Street in 1777, designed by architect John Adam. The school's most iconic home was the monumental structure on Regent Road, completed in 1829 to designs by Thomas Hamilton and often called the "Athenian" school. In 1968, the school moved to its current campus in Barnton, while the old building later housed the Scottish Parliament devolution debate and is now home to St Mary's Music School.

Campus and buildings

The present campus is located in the residential area of Barnton, in northwest Edinburgh. The modern facilities include purpose-built blocks for sciences, arts, and technology, alongside extensive playing fields. The historic 1829 building on Regent Road, a Category A listed structure, remains the school's most famous architectural symbol, featuring a dramatic Doric portico overlooking Calton Hill and Holyrood Park. This building, a key part of the Calton Hill UNESCO World Heritage Site inscription, has been used for major cultural events and was the proposed home for the Scottish Assembly in the 1970s.

Academic profile

As a comprehensive secondary school, it serves pupils from the associated primary schools in its catchment area. The school offers the Scottish Curriculum for Excellence, leading to National Qualifications and Advanced Highers. It has a strong record in sending pupils to universities including the University of Edinburgh, University of Glasgow, and other institutions within the Russell Group. Specialist programs are offered in areas such as music, leveraging the city's cultural resources like the Edinburgh International Festival, and sports, with partnerships involving local clubs and Sportscotland.

Notable alumni

Known as *Old Royalists*, alumni have made significant contributions across numerous fields. In literature and arts, they include novelist Robert Louis Stevenson, philosopher and historian Thomas Carlyle, and artist Sir Henry Raeburn. Legal and political figures range from Henry Dundas, 1st Viscount Melville, a powerful Secretary of State for War, to former Lord Advocate James Moncreiff, 1st Baron Moncreiff, and signatory of the American Declaration of Independence Benjamin Rush. Scientific alumni encompass Nobel laureate in Physics Max Born, pioneer of antiseptic surgery Joseph Lister, 1st Baron Lister, and mathematician and physicist Sir John Leslie. In entertainment, alumni include actor Alastair Sim and television presenter Fred MacAulay.

Traditions and culture

The school motto, "*Musis Res Publica Floret*" (The State Flourishes by the Muses), reflects its classical heritage. Long-standing traditions include the annual *Cockburn Day* ceremony, honouring former rector and historian Lord Cockburn, often held at the Signet Library. The school song is "*Floreat Schola Regia Edinburgi*". Pupils are known as *Royalists*, and former pupils as *Old Royalists*. The school maintains a strong combined cadet force and has historic rivalries with other Edinburgh schools, such as George Heriot's School and the Edinburgh Academy.

Headteachers

The headteacher holds the historic title of Rector. Notable rectors include the classical scholar William Barclay in the 18th century, the influential Alexander Adam, and the historian Lord Cockburn in the 19th century. In the 20th century, rectors such as John Steven oversaw the move to Barnton. The current rector is Pauline Walker, who leads the school in its modern comprehensive role.

Category:Educational institutions established in the 12th century Category:Secondary schools in Edinburgh Category:Buildings and structures in Edinburgh