Fettes College

Historical Facts

The School is named after Sir William Fettes (1750-1836). Sir William was a Merchant, a prominent member of Edinburgh society and twice Lord Provost of Edinburgh. When his only son died of typhoid at the age of 27 in 1815, Sir William left his money to found a school. His bust is on the main staircase. His and his son's portraits are on either side of the door to the Old Library.

The architect was David Bryce, RSA. His bust is in the Callover Hall, opposite the fireplace; his portrait is to the left of the fireplace in the new Library; his uncannily accurate artist's impressions of the school he designed hang on the walls of the main staircase. His design for the School was Scottish Baronial, mixed with French Chateau. The result is known locally as "Edinburgh Loire Gothic".

The first pupils were admitted in the autumn of 1870.

The Callover Hall portraits are of former Headmasters.

The Houses are named after the estates of the first Trustees.

The Chapel was enlarged in 1950, when the Pipe Organ was transferred to the Concert Hall.

The New Dining Hall was opened in 1966, to replace the original Dining Hall (now the main Library) and the Lower Dining Hall (now VIth Form Common Room) which had been in operation since 1950 to accommodate the post war increase in school numbers from 220 to 455.

The Queen visited the School in 1955 on completion of the four year programme building the Gym, Music and Art block and changing the old Gym into a Concert Hall. The Queen's Lawn was created to commemorate her visit.

The Science and Technology Block was opened by the Queen Mother in 1970.

The first girl was admitted into the Sixth Form in 1970. The School became fully coeducational in 1981, when Arniston became the first girl's Boarding House.