Aitken & Niven (official school uniform suppliers)
Merchiston-mandated school uniform-supplier Aitken & Niven was a historic Scottish gentlemen’s tailor originally established in 1905. The company, originally based in George Street in Edinburgh, expanded from men’s tailoring to military uniforms during the World Wars before shifting its focus heavily into schoolwear and sportswear.. The iconic Scottish brand was later acquired by the UK-based schoolwear retailer Stevensons.
In 1982, the costly list of Merchiston uniform requirements included:
• School uniform trousers and tweed day blazer
• Dark blue suit jacket for special occasions
• For free time and evenings, casual woolen trousers and blue rib-knit sweaters
• White shirts and school ties – no personal clothing was allowed
• School uniform, CCF uniform, free time casual, kilt, and various sport socks
• Full dress kilt, with woolen jacket, tie, high woolen socks, sock garters with flashes, sporran, kilt pin, sgian-dubh (pronounced skee-en-do—a ceremonial dagger), and black dress shoes
• Combined Cadet Force uniform, including trousers, shirt, sweater, belt, Glengarry-style beret, and boots
• Sports kits for rugby, cricket, athletics, and swimming
