 Author James Robertson described Glenalmond College as "a Scottish boarding school modelled on the English public school system".The perceived English influence in many of these schools was such that in 1887 one author referred to them as "English schools".43% of Scottish independent secondary schools offer boarding as an option, although there is more of a trend to attend as a day pupil compared to in England 

There are 102 independent schools across Scotland of which 72 are members of the Scottish Council of Independent Schools (SCIS).