At Lathallan, our boarders live in a 19th-century castle on the coast. We welcome full, weekly and flexi boarders from age 11-18.
Boarding has been a feature at Lathallan since we opened our doors in 1930. As the only boarding school in Aberdeenshire, we invite children from across the globe to experience a first-class education in a truly unique setting.
Nestled between farmland, forest, and the sea, our environment influences everything we do. Our pupils live in 19th-century Brotherton Castle, offering full, flexi and weekly boarding from age 11.
Please feel free to browse through this site to explore more details about our Boarding House, our incredible location, the great range of subjects on offer, and our co-curricular opportunities and adventures.
“The outdoor environment within the school grounds offered superb opportunities to connect with nature and the school animals, and for exercise and relaxation, all of which were important to good physical and mental health.” – Care Inspectorate
Home away from home
Our focus is to look after your children as best we can. We fully support them in all aspects of their time here – creating a warm, fun-filled, homely environment where their welfare is our top priority.
Nurturing the Individual
We provide the space for every student to grow in their own way, developing their unique talents and character.
Instilling Core Values
Our Lathallan School values underpin life in our Boarding House. These are confidence, opportunity, respect, endeavour and modesty.
Building Community
By living these values every day, our Boarding House aims to help develop each individual whilst instilling a sense of responsibility and respect for others. We allow individuals to grow in their own way, but ensure they have an awareness of how everyone needs to contribute in a positive way in order to produce a healthy society.
Living in a castle with stunning coastal views
With family at the centre, there is a distinctive feel of happiness and vibrancy when you visit Lathallan. Our boarding and pastoral care team is committed to creating a warm and homely atmosphere where children feel safe and secure. Boarding is a partnership between parents and House staff, and we work hard to ensure parents and guardians feel involved from the start.
We understand that every family is different, which is why we offer a variety of boarding options.
Full Boarding
A complete, enriching experience living at Lathallan 7 days a week. For students seeking full immersion in the school boarding community and activities.
Weekly Boarding
Staying with us during the week and returning home for weekends. Often popular with families who live within a 1-2 hour communte who want to cut down their child’s travel time and value the structure and activities of weeknight boarding.
Flexi Boarding
Minimum 2 night planned boarding per week. Useful for families who require an adaptable solution to balance school life and commitments.
Academic Curriculum
A Lathallan education is unique in many ways but we follow the Scottish Curriculum. We offer a broad and rigorous curriculum throughout the school, which leads to SQA national qualifications at National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher.
“There was a highly structured environment that placed importance on both educational achievement and personal growth. Young people told us they had enough downtime and they felt that the activities they had access to were plentiful and interesting.” – Care Inspectorate
Adventure and enrichment
There is always an active and engaging programme to keep our boarders entertained. A variety of sporting, cultural and creative activities are available to suit all interests, with scheduled prep time supported by teaching staff. Boarders regularly explore the beautiful Angus glens and coastline, offering a unique connection to the Scottish environment. From dinners, dances, and cinema trips to visiting the festive markets in Edinburgh or watching rugby at Murrayfield, the calendar is packed with enriching experiences. Boarders have excellent access to our sports and recreational facilities, including the gym, sports hall, and pitches.
Location
Set within a breathtaking 62-acre estate on the rugged Aberdeenshire coast, Lathallan offers a boarding experience defined by space, heritage, and adventure. Our grounds offer historic 19th-century charm, nestled amongst woodland and parkland with immediate access to a dramatic rocky coastline and a traditional local fishing village. This natural playground is the perfect backdrop for our boarders to grow, providing a safe, tranquil sanctuary that feels worlds away from the bustle of city life. Yet, adventure is always within reach; we are perfectly positioned just 45 minutes from the Cairngorms National Park and the vibrant cultural hubs of Aberdeen and Dundee, the UK’s first UNESCO City of Design. Whether exploring our local area or heading out on a minibus to museums and mountains, our students enjoy an enviable balance of rural freedom and city access.
Ludwig’s Story
Ludwig’s connection to Lathallan runs deep, following in the footsteps of many family members – his mother was a pupil here in 1988, his uncle in 1989, and his cousins and brother have also boarded with us in recent years.
Ludwig has been a wonderfully active and committed member of our community, participating everywhere from the school choir to the rugby team. Above all, he has been an absolute pleasure to have at Lathallan, truly embodying our school values of confidence, opportunity, respect, endeavour, and modesty.
Ludwig shared a few thoughts on his experience:
“It’s the small classes, togetherness, and strong bonds I’ve formed with my new friends here that I’ll miss. I can’t pick just one highlight, there have been so many. My school in Germany is much bigger, whereas here you become so close with those around you. I’ve also enjoyed wearing the uniform, which is very different to home too.”
Esther’s Story
“After growing up in South London for 11 years, moving to a tiny village by the sea to attend boarding school full-time was definitely a challenge.
All in all, my school experience in Scotland started out as something unfamiliar and intimidating but has grown into a series of memories and unique adventures that I will forever hold dear to me.
Upon turning up at our ‘castle by the sea’ on my first night at school, I never would have imagined that the following six years would be the ones most significant to my growth and development as a person.”
Lathallan Pupil and School Consul 2021/22 – Esther Olorode
International Experience
Lathallan welcomes pupils from around the world who are seeking an international experience for a term, academic year or longer period. Our boarding house provides a uniquely supportive and inclusive environment for students to learn English, fully immerse themselves in Scottish culture, and forge lasting international friendships.
Wolfgang’s Story
Jakob Fritzen joined Lathallan for the Summer Term (2022), following in the footsteps of his father, who enjoyed a very similar experience back in 1988.
A Typical School Day at Lathallan School
A typical day at Lathallan School begins with registration at 8.30am, although Boarders have breakfast together before then from 7.30-8am. To start each week, there is a Monday morning school assembly with Headmaster Mr Toley.
There are nine, 40-50 minute lessons each day. Sport ‘Games’ sessions have deliberately been built into the school day, so all pupils have the opportunity to be coached by experts from the Sports Department.
All students are welcome to stay for supper before leaving for home or returning to the Boarding House, a home away from home for Day Pupils and Boarders alike.
On Friday afternoons, all Senior School pupils participate in Personal Development Afternoons (PDA). This offers pupils the chance to grow and develop their skills beyond the classroom. Pupils can take part in farming, golf, shooting, dressmaking, photography, rock climbing, water sports, skiing, journalism, magic and auditions for our school show, among many other opportunities on offer depending on the season.
Weekends are mainly about ‘downtime’ where boarders can relax, and there will be at least one activity or adventure organised for either Saturday or Sunday.
