The following is a partial list of currently operating private schools in Scotland.
Many of the schools are perceived to be heavily influenced by the culture, practices and ethos of English independent, or "public", schools. Author James Robertson described Glenalmond College as "a Scottish boarding school modelled on the English public school system". The perceived English influence in many of these schools was such that in 1887 one author referred to them as "English schools". 43% of Scottish independent secondary schools offer boarding as an option, although there is more of a trend to attend as a day pupil compared to in England.
There are 91 independent schools across Scotland of which 71 are members of the Scottish Council of Independent Schools (SCIS). According to the SCIS, its members educate around 29,000 pupils in Scotland representing around 4.2% of the school age population in Scotland. The figure is significantly higher in Edinburgh, with around 1 in 4 pupils educated at an independent school, the highest proportion in the UK.
Scottish students from independent schools are over-represented at the four ancient universities of Scotland. They represented 26% of the student body at the four institutions in 2014/15 with 71% in total receiving an offer of admission at one of the four ancient universities compared to only 29% of state-school entrants.
List of schools
North
Albyn School, Aberdeen
Gordonstoun, Elgin
International School of Aberdeen, Aberdeen
Lathallan School, Johnshaven
Drumduan School, Forres
Robert Gordon's College, Aberdeen
St Margaret's School for Girls, Aberdeen
Central & Tayside
Ardvreck School, Crieff
Craigclowan Preparatory School, Perth
Dollar Academy
Fairview International School, Bridge of Allan
Glenalmond College, Glenalmond
The High School of Dundee
Kilgraston School, Bridge of Earn
Morrison's Academy, Crieff
Queen Victoria School, Dunblane
Strathallan School, Forgandenny
Fife
St Leonards School, St. Andrews
Edinburgh City Region
Basil Paterson Middle School
Belhaven Hill School, Dunbar
Cargilfield Preparatory School
Clifton Hall School
The Compass School, Haddington
The Edinburgh Academy
Edinburgh Montessori Arts School
Edinburgh Steiner School
Erskine Stewart's Melville Schools
Erskine Stewart's Melville Junior School
The Mary Erskine School
Stewart's Melville College
Fettes College
George Heriot's School
George Watson's College
Loretto School, Musselburgh
Mannafields Christian School
Merchiston Castle School
Regius School
St. George's School
St. Mary's Music School
Glasgow City Region
Al Qalam School, Paisley
Belmont House School, Newton Mearns
Cedars School of Excellence, Greenock
Fernhill School, Rutherglen
The Glasgow Academy, Kelvinbridge
Hamilton College
The High School of Glasgow, Anniesland
Hutchesons' Grammar School, Pollokshields
Kelvinside Academy, Kelvinside
Lomond School, Helensburgh
St. Aloysius' College Garnethill
St. Columba's School, Kilmacolm
Ayrshire
Wellington School, Ayr
Borders
St. Mary's School, Melrose
Additional Support Needs / Complex Additional Needs Schools
Ardfern School, Johnstone
Closeburn House School, Dumfries
Common Thread Schools, Dumfries
Corseford School, Kilbarchan
Donaldson's School, Linlithgow
Dunedin School, Edinburgh
East Park School, Maryhill
Falkland House School, Falkland
Good Shepherd Centre, Bishopton
Harmeny School, Balerno
Hillside School, Aberdour
Kibble Education & Care Centre, Paisley
Maben House School Lochmaben
Mirren Park School, Paisley
Moore House Academy, Bathgate
Moore House Academy, Butterstone, Dunkeld
New Struan School, Alloa
Ochil Tower School, Auchterarder
The Royal Blind School, Edinburgh
Scottish Centre For Children With Motor Impairments, Craighalbert Centre, Cumbernauld Seamab School, Rumbling Bridge Stanmore House School, Lanark Starley Hall School, Burntisland Troup House School, Gamrie