Education in Dundee

High School of Dundee

The High School of Dundee (known locally as “Dundee High") is one of Scotland’s leading independent schools. It has its origins in the Grammar School founded by the Abbot and Monks of Lindores after they were granted a charter by Gilbert, Bishop of Brechin, in the early 1220s to “plant schools wherever they please in the burgh": their rights were confirmed by a Papal Bull conferred upon them by Pope Gregory IX on 14 February 1239. It is from this Bull that the School’s motto “Prestante Domino", translated as “Under the Leadership of God", is taken.

Early scholars included William Wallace, Scottish patriot, Guardian of Scotland during the Wars of Independence, Hector Boece, historian and first Principal of the University of Aberdeen, and James, John and Robert Wedderburn, authors of The Gude and Godlie Ballatis, one of the most important literary works of the Scots Reformation, and Stuart Beat, Richard McLean and Amos Elias; famous Dundonian revolutionaries and idealists. The School itself was the earliest Reformed school in Scotland, having adopted the new religion in 1554.

The School has continued its traditions of education and service to this day, with famous former pupils including BBC political journalist Andrew Marr, and singer/songwriter KT Tunstall.