Merchistonian Newsletter
July 2023
After a very busy month of June with lots of End of Year events happening at the school, our students have now left the campus for a well-deserved rest over the Summer break. Merchiston remains nonetheless busy and bustling with activities – over the break we will be welcoming Summer Camps hosted by King’s Camps and Wild Outdoors, as well as external residential lets by St Andrew’s Language College and the National Youth Choir of Scotland. This week has also been a particularly lively one with our annual and very popular Rugby Camp, led by our Director of Rugby, Mr Deans.
There is something rather appealing in seeing the site so busy and prolific. Our Summer opportunities give many children the chance to enjoy and make the most of our stunning grounds – as well as of course providing a sustained financial support to Merchiston during the ‘fallow’ weeks over the Summer. A huge thank you goes to our Facilities, Catering and Domestic teams who continue to work incessantly hard throughout the Summer to facilitate all the ongoing activity on campus – and of course prepare the school for the new Term in September
On Saturday 2nd July we congregated in our stunning Memorial Hall to bid farewell to the Class of 2023 at our Graduation Ceremony. It was indeed a rather emotional day as we watch these pupils walking away from the school as young men, ready to face their next life challenges.
The morning was rich of poignant moments, from the Captain of the School’s last address to Mr Aitchison’s speech before leaving us for pastures new. The event was a perfect moment to close these boys’ Merchiston chapter and celebrate everything they have accomplished throughout their journey here.
Some of these young men joined Merchiston as very young boys indeed and quite literally have grown within the school grounds. It is a very proud moment indeed to watch them now head off into their adult life and exciting to see what they will go on to accomplish.
We wish our Class of 2023 the very best of luck and keep in touch!
Iain Clark - upcoming exhibition
Merchistonian and renowned photographic artist, Iain Clark (MCS 1971-74), will showcase a series of images titled ‘A Love Letter to Glasgow’ at the Doubtfire Gallery in Edinburgh’s New Town, during the month of August. This solo exhibition, Mr Clark’s fifth in Edinburgh, is a celebration of Glasgow’s people, as well as the city’s architecture and culture. ‘A Love Letter to Glasgow’ will be open between 2nd August and 2nd September (Wed-Sun 12pm-4pm). Further information and the brochure are available on the Doubtfire Gallery’s website
Talking about the upcoming exhibition, Mr. Clark says: “My intimate affection for Glasgow is demonstrated by unveiling a deep sense of community amongst its vivid characters – my tribute to a city that embraces and inspires all who are fortunate enough to call it home. Street photography is the lifeblood of the exhibition, and it illuminates the ordinary and the extraordinary alike. The anonymous faces of passers-by intertwine with the familiar visages of local legends, each expressing the collective spirit that reverberates within the city ”
Oli leads Scotland's victory
Merchistonian Oli Hairs (Class of 2010) has recently put on an incredible performance and led the Scotland Team to victory in the T20 World Cup Europe Cricket Qualifier against Germany, played at Goldenacre in Edinburgh.
Oli, who played in our 1XI Cricket during his time at Merchiston and was awarded Half and Full colours for Cricket, hit a career-best 73 from 36 balls, sealing Scotland's victory at 234-5 (20 overs). This is also Scotland's second-highest T20 score.
Following our first Cricket Scottish Schools Cup victory this year, we are incredibly proud to see that our cricketing tradition at Merchiston is growing - and certainly benefitting from incredibly talented role models such as Oli. We have been following his path with the Scottish Team and at international level and we look forward to seeing him continue on such a positive trajectory.
Coming back for the 1XI v Merchistonians annual match next year, Oli?
Donalds, Corbetts and Munros
We recently heard from Alan Black (MCS 1967-1972) who, on June 17th ticked off all of the Scottish Grahams at the age of 68 Scottish hills over 2000 feet but less than 2500 feet are classed as Grahams
Alan’s incredible accomplishment comes after he previously completed all Donalds, Corbetts and Munros – a true feat of determination and resilience, especially when having to contend with the changeable and often challenging Scottish weather!
Reflecting on his achievement, Alan says: “The round of all these hills from the Munros through to the Grahams has taken me around 35 years! I was the 1807th person to complete the Munros (hills of 3000ft/914 4m and over) back in 1997 ”
Alan completed all Donalds (hills in the Scottish Lowlands of at least 2000ft/610m) in 2016 and all Corbetts (hills of 2500ft/762m and over but less than 3000ft/914 4m) in 2013