The school maintains a relationship with the Cathedral, where it holds an annual service of commemoration and thanksgiving in September.

[2] It counts two British Prime Ministers, two Lords President and the founder of the University of Aberdeen among its alumni.

It is a selective school, meaning prospective pupils must sit an entrance test to gain admission.

The Junior School Houses take their names from British lifeboat stations: Broughtyferry (red), Campbelltown (blue), Lizard (green) and Longhope (yellow).

[13] The honorary president is The Lord Macfarlane of Bearsden, and the Rector of the School, John O'Neill, is an ex officio member.

The club runs all the facilities at Old Anniesland, including the Jimmie Ireland Stand but excluding the school.

Notable former pupils of the high school have included two prime ministers, the founder of the University of Aberdeen, the current and most recent principals of the University of Glasgow and numerous judges and law officers, including two former Lord President of the Court of Session, as well as politicians, businessmen and academics.

In addition, 29 one-time pupils of the High School have represented Scotland at international level in rugby union.

They include John Bannerman, Angus Cameron, Donald Cameron, Jimmy Docherty, John Dykes, George Frew, Jimmy Ireland, Hamish Kemp, Ian Shaw and Robert Wilson Shaw.