Edinburgh has a small but well-defined international school market built around two main routes: the Scottish independent schools that have moved to admit substantial expat cohorts (Fettes, Merchiston Castle, Loretto, George Watson's College, Edinburgh Academy) and a much smaller pool of dedicated international-curriculum schools. For most relocating families, the practical decision is between a Scottish independent (delivering Scottish Highers, Advanced Highers, and increasingly IB) and the few schools offering pure international curricula.
The school landscape
Edinburgh's independent schools sit in the GBP 18,000 to 36,000 fee range for senior years, with boarding adding GBP 12,000 to 18,000 on top. Most deliver Scottish Highers and Advanced Highers as the default, with some now offering the IB Diploma in parallel (Fettes is the most established IB school in the city). Pure international schools include the Edinburgh Steiner School and a small handful of curriculum-specific options.
Neighbourhoods
The traditional independent school cluster sits in the New Town, Stockbridge, Murrayfield and Morningside. Families wanting day-school proximity should expect to focus housing in those areas. Newer expat-friendly neighbourhoods including the Quartermile development and Leith are within reasonable commuting distance of most schools.
Admissions calendar
Scottish independent school applications are submitted in autumn of the year before entry, with assessments and interviews from January through March. Decisions go out in March or April. Most schools admit at Primary 1, Primary 4 or 7, and S1 or S6 with some flexibility for inbound expat families.