Scotland's top schools to feature in latest stage of historical abuse inquiry

An inquiry into historical child abuse across Scotland is to look into allegations of abuse in some of the country’s most prestigious boarding schools.

Fettes College in Edinburgh

As part of phase six of the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry, the panel will hear evidence of abuse of children in boarding schools starting in January 2021.

The Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry has covered a range of care providers including religious and voluntary organisations since it began hearing evidence in 2017.

The first part of the inquiry will focus on background and context for the schools.

The second part will focus on the investigation of specific institutions across Scotland.

The establishments currently under investigation and expected to feature in the case study are: Fettes College, Edinburgh; Gordonstoun School, Elgin; Keil School, Dumbarton; Loretto School, Musselburgh; Merchiston Castle School, Edinburgh; Morrison's Academy, Crieff; and Queen Victoria School, Dunblane.

Fettes is where former Prime Minister Tony Blair was educated while Gordonstoun, in Morayshire, was the preferred choice for the Royal family.

The Queen sent Princes Charles, Andrew and Edward to the Duke of Edinburgh’s former school and Princess Anne’s son and daughter were boarders there.

The aim of the inquiry is to raise public awareness of the abuse of children in care, particularly during the period covered by the inquiry.

It will provide an opportunity for public acknowledgement of the suffering of those children and a forum for validation of their experience and testimony.

The inquiry is expected to last until May 2021 and will continue be heard in front of senior high court judge Lady Smith.