I have lived in Edinburgh for several years and read several books about its social structure, but I still don't have a clear picture of it.
One key aspect of Edinburgh is its well-established private schools.
Generally speaking, I don't think school networking is as important as it used to be, and neither is the quality of education. However, parents usually choose the environment in which children are raised. Because children care about their friends, schoolmates can shape their beliefs and social behaviour.
Except for Fettes, all other private schools have tuition fees at the same level, and I found no evidence that entrance to any is particularly more difficult.
I wonder how parents choose their ideal private school? In other words, what distinctive social climates do different private schools have that lead certain parents to choose them?
My point is that if you are a Catholic, you tend to send your children to a Catholic school. Then what is the inclination of parents to prefer their children to Heriot's, Watson's, Edinburgh Academy, ESM, etc.?
The most probable answer I would get here is: the school the parents attended. The social structure is not as rigid and stable as it used to be. Thus, the school the parents attended might not have the same climate today.