exams at the A or B level and passed an average of five Higher Grade exams each. Almost all leavers were planning to go on to higher education. In 2015, popular destinations included St Andrews (11), Glasgow (18), Edinburgh Napier (3), Aberdeen (12), Newcastle (2) and Northumbria (5). In 2014 and 2016, Mary Erskine's was top of the Sunday Times list of independent secondary schools in Scotland using the Scottish Examinations system and in 2015 was judged the best Scottish School by Advanced Highers by Best-Schools. Former Pupils Guild Upon leaving MES, students have the opportunity to join the Mary Erskine Former Pupils Guild which was founded in 1884. Notable former staff Elisabeth West in 1708, diarist Notable alumni Media and Arts Lynda Cochrane - pianist Margaret Stirling Dobson - painter, printmaker and author. Joanna Drew (1929–2003) - art gallery director and arts administrator Jenny Foulds - actress, e.g. Two Thousand Acres of Sky) Alison Geissler (1907-2011) - glass engraver Frances Grey - actress Dorothy Mackie Low (1916–2002) - writer of romance novels who used the pseudonyms Dorothy Mackie Low, Lois Paxton, and Zoë Cass. Samara MacLaren - actress Freya Mavor - actress Chloe Pirrie - actress Margaret Stoddart (1865–1934) - notable New Zealand artist Madeleine Worrall - actress Academia and Science Dame Maria Gordon DBE, (1864–1939) - geologist and palaeontologist, first woman to get a DSc from London University and a PhD from the University of Munich. Ellen Charlotte Higgins (1871–1951) - principal of the Royal Holloway College, University of London Professor Sheila Scott Macintyre (1910–1960) - mathematician best known for her work on the Whittaker constant. Professor Anna MacGillivray Macleod (1917–2004) - first female professor of Brewing and Biochemistry in the world. Elizabeth Malloch (1910–2000) - educator and priest Dr Annie Hutton Numbers (1897-1988), British mathematician and chemist Dr Winifred Rushforth OBE, (1885–1983) - Jungian psychoanalyst Dr Isabel Emslie Hutton CBE (1887–1960) - physician Sports Shauna Mullin - athlete, 2012 Olympic Games, Beach Volleyball) Janice Rankin - Olympic Gold Medallist for curling 2002 Lynsey Sharp - athlete – 2012 European Champion 800m, 2012 Olympic semi-finalist 800m, 2014 Commonwealth silver medallist Politics Louise Mary Eates (married name) - suffragette Elaine Murray - MSP Business Judy Wagner, FRSE - British business leader, educator and executive search recruitment manager References Sources External links Mary Erskine School's page on Scottish Schools Online Profile on the ISC website Profile at MyDaughter Private schools