Over 300 years of life-changing charitable education
Our History
Over 300 years of life-changing charitable education
Find out more about the rich tapestry of our schools' history by scrolling through our timeline below.
2013
2013
Junior School Renamed
The Junior School is renamed ESMS Junior School.
2007
2007
Performing Arts Centre Opens
The new Erskine Stewart's Melville Performing Arts Centre opens. This is later officially named the Tom Fleming Centre for the Performing Arts, in memory of distinguished Scottish actor and Daniel Stewart's Former Pupil Tom Fleming.
2006
2006
New Ravelston Opens
New Ravelston opens at The Mary Erskine School site to accommodate e-Plus services for children from Nursery to Primary 3.
2004
2004
The Solway Centre Opens
The Solway Centre is opened by Princess Anne to accommodate e-Plus after school and holiday provision on the Stewart's Melville Queensferry Road site.
1999
1999
Joint Sixth Form Established
A joint Sixth Form is established, which completes the unique ESMS diamond structure with a co-educational final year.
1999
1999
Twinned Houses Introduced
Introduction of twinned Houses at Stewart's Melville College and The Mary Erskine School.
1989
1989
New Junior School Name
The Junior School is renamed The Mary Erskine and Stewart's Melville Junior School and becomes fully coeducational up to Primary 7. Easter Ravelston opens for children in Nursery and Primary 1.
1978
1978
The Junior Schools Combine
The Junior School incorporates a new Nursery and becomes coeducational up to Primary 5. It is now called The Combined Junior School of The Mary Erskine School and Stewart's Melville College.
1978
1978
Boys' and Girls' Schools Merge
The Mary Erskine School and Daniel Stewart's and Melville College merge. The Senior Schools remain in their respective buildings, but their timetables are synchronised.
1972
1972
Boys' Schools Combine
Daniel Stewart's College combines with Melville College to form Daniel Stewart's and Melville College.
1966
1966
MES Moves to Ravelston
The Mary Erskine School moves to the Ravelston site after many years of planning.
1963
1963
Boarding at Daniel Stewart's
Boarding is introduced on the Daniel Stewart's College site for the first time, at Dean Park House.
1944
1944
The Mary Erskine School
The School's current name, The Mary Erskine School, is used for the first time on the 250th anniversary of its creation in honour of original co-founding benefactor, Mary Erskine.
1936
1936
Creation of Melville College
After moving to Melville Street in 1920, Rev Robert Cunningham's School is renamed Melville College in 1936 - to better reflect the institution that it is.
1889
1889
Edinburgh Ladies' College
The Merchant Maiden Hospital is renamed the Edinburgh Ladies' College and is now recognised as one of the most renowned schools of its day.
1870
1870
The Girls' School Evolves
The Merchant Maiden Hospital becomes the Edinburgh Educational Institution for Young Ladies. In the same year, the Institution moves to the western end of Queen Street to look after the education of rapidly growing pupil numbers.
1870
1870
Daniel Stewart's Institution
The David Rhind building officially becomes Daniel Stewart's Institution with about 300 boys attending.
1855
1855
First Boys at Daniel Stewart's
Daniel Stewart's money allows the first 50 boys to take up residence in the magnificent David Rhind building on Queensferry Road.
1835
1835
The School Grows
By 1835, the School opened by Rev Robert Cunningham now caters for 241 boys and moves to Hill Street.
1832
1832
Robert Cunningham Opens School
The Rev Robert Cunningham founds the Edinburgh Institution for Mathematics and Language at 59 George Street, which will become Melville College. 60 boys attend.
1818
1818
Merchant Maidens Move
The Merchant Maiden Hospital moves to its third home at Lauriston.
1814
1814
Daniel Stewart Bequeaths Money
Daniel Stewart bequeaths a substantial sum of money for the foundation of a school for orphan and destitute boys. He entrusts its 'perpetual management' to the Merchant Company of the City of Edinburgh.
1706
1706
A New Home for the Hospital
Mary Erskine purchases a substantial house for the Hospital in the Bristo area allowing the school to move out of their lodging in the Merchant Company's Great Hall and into a space of their own. Meanwhile, the constitution obtains statutory ratification by the Scottish Parliament.
1696
1696
Girls Become Residents
The first girls take up residence in the Merchant Company's Cowgate building, lodging in the gallery above the Great Hall.
1694
1694
Merchant Maiden Hospital Opens
Mary Erskine and the Company of Merchants of the City of Edinburgh co-found the Merchant Maiden Hospital to house and educate the destitute daughters of Edinburgh's merchants. 'Hospital' was a term given to an endowed charitable foundation at this time.
