Melville College Trust

22/12/2025

Merry Christmas from all of us at the Melville College Trust.

As the year draws to a close, we would like to thank everyone who has supported the Trust throughout the year. Your continued involvement, generosity and goodwill help us honour the College’s past while supporting its future.

We wish you a joyful Christmas, a restful break, and every good wish for the year ahead. We look forward to all that 2026 will bring.

With warmest festive regards,

The Melville College Trust

19/11/2025

Please find below the link to our latest newsletter.

In this edition we include how the Trust is supporting the School Merger and other school projects. A new portrait of Robert Cunningham has been uncovered. There is also Alumni News and more from the Archives.

18/11/2025

The new Erskine Stewart Melville Uniforms. What do you think?

17/11/2025

Last Tuesday, the Melville College Trust was honoured to take part in the ESMS Remembrance Ceremony.

Our memorial sits outside the main reception.

Alongside pupils, staff, former pupils and families, we gathered at the War Memorial to honour those who made the ultimate sacrifice — including the 146 former Melville College and Edinburgh Institution pupils whose names are listed on the bronze plaques now displayed in the Old College.

A wreath was laid on behalf of all former pupils, a gesture of gratitude and remembrance that reflects our shared heritage and the enduring values of our community.

Following the ceremony, and a rather wet and windy one outside, guests came together in The Dean to share memories and reflect — a meaningful moment of connection that continues this important tradition.

We will remember them.

www.melvillecollegetrust.uk

02/11/2025

ESMS Remembrance

The Annual Remembrance Day Wreath Laying Ceremony will take place on Tuesday, 11 November. All former pupils, parents of former pupils and former staff are invited to join for coffee in the Dining Hall ahead of the commemoration, followed by a light lunch in The Dean afterwards. If you would like to attend, please visit the ticket booking site:

Our annual Remembrance Wreath Laying Service

02/11/2025

Final reminder to book your tickets for the Reunion on 7th November.

To book, please visit

Annual Melville College Former Pupils Lunch

29/10/2025

The booking deadline for the Annual Melville College Reunion, taking place on Friday 7 November 2025 at Inverleith, is Monday 3 November. We look forward to seeing you there.

If you would prefer to book by phone, please contact Keryn Henderson in the Development Office on 0131 311 1131.
To book please visit https://www.trybooking.com/uk/FAYJ

The timing is perfect to tie in the Scotland v New Zealand match at Murrayfield the following day, making it a great weekend to catch up with friends.

As always, spouses, friends and former pupils from across the ESMS family of schools are warmly invited. This year, we're also pleased that Dave Clarke, History teacher at Stewart's Melville College, will be joining us to showcase some fascinating new items from our heritage collection. The Principal will give us an update on the Senior School merger in Autumn 2026. I can also give you an update on the Melville College Trust and in particular its support for the proposed merger.

Annual Melville College Former Pupils Lunch

06/10/2025

COMMUNITY CHOIR 2025-2026

The ESMS Community Choir is a group of parents, staff, former pupils and friends who meet on Wednesday evenings from 7.30-9pm to rehearse for our Choral and Orchestral Concert in the Usher Hall in March. For this concert we will be joining forces with the MES and SMC Upper School Choirs (S3-S6) to perform highlights from 'Messiah', by George Frederic Handel.

If you would be interested in joining the choir for this event please contact Katherine Alysandratou at [email protected] for further information.

02/09/2025

Last chance to buy tickets, ahead of tomorrow!

In association with the MES Former Pupils’ Guild, Melville College Trust and Stewart's Melville College Club, we are delighted to welcome you to a...

18/08/2025

Port of Leith Distillery Tour & Tasting - Wednesday 3 September 2025

The Development Office, in association with MES FP Guild Melville College Trust and Stewart's Melville College FP Club, we are delighted to invite you and your guests to a tour and tasting at Port of Leith's flagship distillery in Edinburgh on Wednesday 3 September, at 6.30pm.

Tickets cost £35 per head, which includes a welcome drink, a tour of the distillery, whisky or sherry tasting and canapés. Please click here to book.

Located in Edinburgh's historic whisky district of Leith, this remarkable new 9 storey building is Scotland's first vertical distillery. This is a fantastic opportunity to visit and tour this truly innovative venue and sample some of their products whilst catching up with other FPs. To book, please visit:

In association with the MES Former Pupils’ Guild, Melville College Trust and Stewart's Melville College Club, we are delighted to welcome you to a...

17/03/2025

As Edinburgh celebrates its 900 years of being a city, Merchant's Hall is open for an exhibition chronicling the history, impact and influence of the Merchant Company and its schools, George Watson’s College and Erskine Stewart’s Melville, on the city from 1681 to the present day. It will feature a unique collection of portraits, works of art, and rare and unusual artefacts from previously unseen heritage collections revealing many of the intriguing stories behind some of Edinburgh’s best kept secrets.

For more details, visit: https://edinburgh.org/900/event/a-story-of-endeavour-and-achievement/

Event details

Time: 10am - 3pm

Date: 24th March - 28th March

Location: The Merchants' Hall 22 Hanover Street Edinburgh EH2 2EP

Cost: Free; just drop in

03/03/2025

Our latest newsletter is now available on our website: