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9:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Monday

9:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Tuesday

9:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Wednesday

9:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Thursday

9:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Friday

9:00 AM - 5:00 PM

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What people are saying

“Poshos”

Aug 2024

Bunch of poshos go to this school. And there is also a whole drug cartel in this school. If you go to this school you are very very posh, u posho

By Malgorzata

“Interesting place in Edinburgh”

Oct 2019

George Heriot's School is recognised as an important and outstanding example of Scots Renaissance architecture. It is guarded by a gatehouse, in the middle of urban central Edinburgh. It was established in 1628 as George Heriot's Hospital, by bequest of the royal goldsmith George Heriot, and opened in 1659. The school is a turreted building surrounding a large quadrangle, and built out of sandstone. The main building of the school is the work of William Wallace. The north gatehouse onto Lauriston Place is by William Henry Playfair and dates from 1829.The main building was the first large building to be constructed outside the Edinburgh city walls. The school has its charm.

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515 within 6 miles

National Museum of Scotland

22,465

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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

4.0

43 reviews

Excellent

18

Very good

20

Average

5

Poor

0

Terrible

1

Malgorzata

12,085 contributions

Interesting place in Edinburgh

Oct 2019

George Heriot's School is recognised as an important and outstanding example of Scots Renaissance architecture. It is guarded by a gatehouse, in the middle of urban central Edinburgh. It was established in 1628 as George Heriot's Hospital, by bequest of the royal goldsmith George Heriot, and opened in 1659. The school is a turreted building surrounding a large quadrangle, and built out of sandstone. The main building of the school is the work of William Wallace. The north gatehouse onto Lauriston Place is by William Henry Playfair and dates from 1829.The main building was the first large building to be constructed outside the Edinburgh city walls. The school has its charm.

Written September 15, 2020

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Kenny D

Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom4 contributions

Former Pupil at the school

Sep 2017 • Couples

My experience was stone turrets and teachers in cloaks (Really)

Anyhow, it is without doubt a beautiful building and has tunnels that go up to Edinburgh Castle, not only is this the original Hogwarts but JK Rowlings kids now attend.

LOOK, if you REALLY want to nose around, the school has the worlds oldest pinhole camera and in the centre of the building you can see it is a square, which we call the Quadrangle. The school has a holiday in June called JUNE DAY and i am quite sure you could attend, if you contact the current office and let them know your kids might attend and an FP recommended you sample June Day to take in what the place has to offer.

Place is over 400 years old and was originally a hospital.

Written September 5, 2017

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

CarinL04

Edinburgh, UK7 contributions

My old school

Sep 2015 • Solo

This was my school for 9 years, I was one of the "faitherless bairns" that it still offers free tuition to.
It is a stunning building with the turrets, quadrangle, pend and chapel.
If you can manage it, get to a doors open day, or a school open day. There are far more buildings in the grounds than you can see from the road.

Written March 24, 2016

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

eleanorferguson

prudhoe97 contributions

A Disneyland Castle in Edinburgh

Nov 2012 • Family

I know i am biased as i spent 13 happy years at this school but after having recently attended my 25yr school reunion at the school i can see it is still a landmark attraction in Edinburgh that people should take time to visit.
The school was founded in 1628 by George Heriot who was employed by the then King of Scotland for fatherless bairns.Go to reception and ask for possible tour of the school if you are lucky.
You will have a spectacular view of Edinburgh Castle from the terracing and you are only 5 mins walk from Greyfriars churchyard where Greyfriars Bobby sat by his masters grave for years.

Written November 7, 2012

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

John B

Toronto, Canada2,875 contributions

A beautiful building and grounds but inaccessible

Jan 2016 • Couples

George Heriot's School is a magnificent building set on beautiful grounds. Sadly, it is not open to the public except on Open Doors day (usually the last weekend if September). The building dates back to the mid-17th century and was originally opened as a "hospital" for orphans (but in reality a school). It has been in operation ever since but now charges annual tuition of over £11,000. Interestingly, it still caters to orphans and offers "fatherless" free tuition.

Written January 10, 2016

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Tim L

Harpenden, UK77 contributions

Still standing and impressive

Dec 2014 • Solo

Despite having spent six, not altogether happy, years at the school in the early 1960's , I still find the building impressive, imposing, and wonderfully proportioned. You can only see it from either the road, or (my preference) from up at the Castle when you can look across the Grassmarket and see the building standing fine and proud. A wonderful piece of Scottish Architecture - just a pity the teachers in my day were addicted to the tawse.

Written March 3, 2015

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Tammy W

Angelica, NY28 contributions

Informative

Nov 2014

I visited friends in Edinburgh a couple of years ago and since I am a teacher, I went to the school and spoke with the Head Master. I basically asked if I could have a tour and he said yes. Two upper classmen took me around and told me about their classes, teachers, and studies. I was very impressed with the students and the school

Written October 14, 2015

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Carles P

Barcelona, Spain147 contributions

Just the building

Aug 2015 • Couples

It is an elite school in use. You can't enter and visit it except the open doors day, but you can see the majestic buildind from outside and from different parts of the city.

The outside aspect of the building is really beautiful.

Written August 30, 2015

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

SagarVS

India2,740 contributions

Historic school

May 2015 • Friends

Its difficult to enter the school grounds, I got to peep into it from the adjourning Greyfriars. If you are clicking fotos of the school, be careful, your fotos cannot have any children in it. Its illegal. Google this place before you visit, if not its just another monument

Written May 12, 2015

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

EdinburghDoug

Scotland102 contributions

Not normally open to the public, but grab the chance on an open day

This is a truly magnificent building about 400 metres from the Royal Mile, and just next to Greyfriars Church. It is a private school with extensive grounds but it is the stone work which first catches the eye. Wander round the outside and admire the stonemasons' handiwork, and then having gone round the back there is animpressive sight of the castle.
Internally the stone tracery is beautiful. On my visit I had time to visit the chapel, only, but this was time well spent.

Written July 13, 2012

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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