About Dunnet House
Founded in 1987. Rooted in the Highlands.
Our Story
Dunnet House School was founded in 1987 by Margaret and Alistair Sutherland, who believed that children in the far north of Scotland deserved access to exceptional independent education without having to travel hundreds of miles from home.
They purchased Dunnet House — a Georgian merchant's residence overlooking Castletown harbour — and set about creating a school that combined academic excellence with the freedoms and adventures that Highland childhood should offer.
Thirty-seven years later, their vision remains at the heart of everything we do. The school has grown modestly, added modern facilities, and evolved its curriculum to meet contemporary needs. But the founding principle endures: every child deserves to be educated as an individual, in an environment that nurtures their unique potential.
"We believe childhood is not merely preparation for adulthood. It has value in its own right. Children deserve time to play, imagine, question, and wonder."
Meet Our Team
Mrs Fiona MacLeod
Headteacher
Fiona has led Dunnet House since 2018. A native of Sutherland, she returned to the Highlands after a decade in London's publishing industry. She maintains an open-door policy for parents and teaches English across the school.
Mr David Henderson
Deputy Head & P6/7 Teacher
David joined in 2015 after teaching in Edinburgh and Inverness. He leads mathematics curriculum and coordinates educational visits. A keen mountaineer, David runs our Outdoor Pursuits club and leads the annual P7 Cairngorms expedition.
Mrs Sarah Murray
P1/2 Teacher & Early Years Lead
Sarah has taught our youngest pupils since 2010. Trained in Reggio Emilia approaches during a sabbatical in Italy, she brings a play-based, curiosity-led philosophy to early learning. Her classroom is a wonderland of investigation.