
Loretto School
Loretto School
Musselburgh
Scotland’s oldest boarding school – and probably the best golf programme in the whole UK. Of course, for a Scottish boarding school that’s only natural, but Loretto offers much more than just lowering handicaps. Sport in general is strong, with rugby and judo teams you’d do well not to underestimate. What really makes Loretto special, though, is the warm, welcoming atmosphere – you can tell straight away that everyone knows each other and looks out for one another. And the fact that Edinburgh is just around the corner makes it all the better.

The Details
The Academics
Loretto School offers GCSEs and A Levels and is academically not highly selective. All the more remarkable are the 2024 exam results: 32.7 percent A or A* grades at A Level and 36 percent grades 9 to 7 at GCSE – solid results to be proud of.
Languages Taught
English as a Foreign Language, French, Latin and Spanish.
The Boarding
More than half the pupils are full boarders, living seven days a week in one of six boarding houses – each with its own character, cosy and close to the school. Pupils usually share twin rooms, moving to single rooms in their final year.
Saturday evenings are well filled – with lectures, concerts or social events where participation is often not just recommended but expected. Thanks to the school’s immediate proximity to Edinburgh, there are regular trips to concerts, opera, theatre or major sporting events – especially the legendary rugby matches at Murrayfield.

Strengths & Weaknesses
Strengths
Let’s start with the obvious: Loretto is one of Europe’s golf schools. The legendary Golf Academy, with its own course and state-of-the-art indoor centre – including video analysis and Trackman – attracts talent from all over the world.
But sport off the golf course is strong here too: lacrosse, rugby, hockey and tennis are particular focuses. Swimming, judo, football and dance are also offered, the latter now with a brand-new studio.
The extracurricular programme is broad and thoughtfully organised. A real highlight is the Borealis Society – pupils in the Sixth Form can take part in multi-week expeditions to Iceland or Greenland. Kayaking, mountaineering, nature study and intense community – this is no school trip, it’s an adventure for life.
What we especially like: the atmosphere is warm and down to earth, without any airs. And because the school is relatively small, everyone knows each other – creating a genuine family spirit not found everywhere.
Weaknesses
The admissions department can sometimes be hard to reach, but it’s worth being persistent.
Location
Loretto School is located in Musselburgh, a charming small town on the coast – just 30 minutes from Edinburgh. The bus connections are excellent – from Musselburgh you can quickly reach East Lothian, central Edinburgh and even the Scottish Borders.
Great for golfers and anyone seeking a good academic school with a friendly atmosphere.
If you visit Loretto School, be sure to take a look inside Pinkie House – an impressive 16th century manor in the middle of the campus. In the Painted Gallery, a magnificent hall with one of Scotland’s finest painted ceilings, pupils actually sit their exams.
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