In 1803, as a result of the legacy of James Gillespie, an Edinburgh tobacco merchant, a school for 65 students and one master was opened in Bruntsfield Place and administered by the Merchant Company of Edinburgh.
In 1803, as a result of the legacy of James Gillespie, an Edinburgh tobacco merchant, James Gillespie's High School was opened in Bruntsfield place. There were 65 students and one master and it was administered by the Merchant Company of Edinburgh.