Scots College, a Presbyterian secondary school for boys, was founded in 1915. Its main classroom block, opened in 1919 and known as the Aitken Building, is of historical and social significance as the purpose-built centrepiece of the school, a local landmark and focus of identity for the many pupils who have attended the college over the past century. The building is of architectural and aesthetic significance as a fine example of notable architect William Gray Young’s work in the Georgian Revival style, and retains its prominence as the face of the campus.

The two men celebrated as the college’s founders, minister of St John’s Church Dr James Gibb, and Hon. J.G.W. Aitken, a member of the Legislative Council, had long campaigned with the Bible in Schools League, which aimed to re-institute religious education to the state school system. In 1914, the League’s failure to gain the support of the Parliamentary Education Committee galvanised Gibb and Aitken, with the backing of the Wellington Presbytery, to constitute a college themselves, for day boys and boarders. A substantial donation from Aitken assisted the process and on 8 February 1916 Scots College held its first classes – occupying a historic house in Hobson Street, Thorndon for the first three years. However the plan had always been for a purpose-built school, and land in Miramar was purchased in 1917.
Prominent architect William Gray Young won the design commission for the new campus, and Howie and Matthews’ tender of £20,000 was accepted for the construction. The foundation stone of the main classroom building was laid by Aitken on 13 April 1918. The three-storeyed brick building achieves the impression of an English stately home, encountered at the end of a driveway winding through the grounds. A Doric portico frames the main entrance, with an aedicule window above featuring Ionic columns and a pediment emblazoned with the college crest. The multi-paned windows are arranged symmetrically on either side of this central bay, and a domed bell tower sits atop the tiled hipped roof. Gray Young’s original design also included wings to either side of the main block; however, only the central portion was built. The original campus also included a separate building (named Gibb House after the other founder), for accommodation and dining.

Delays due to weather and shortages in materials meant that while Gibb House was ready for the beginning of the 1919 school year, the Aitken Building was not; so for most of the first year classes were held outside when weather permitted, or in the dining room, dormitories or rooms where no workmen were working. Scots College came close to closure a few times during the 1920s, a situation which came to a head in 1929 when the Board agreed to sell the grounds and buildings to the Education Department to settle their debts. However, parents, Old Boys and the government rallied to show their esteem and the sale was cancelled. While the campus has grown over the years with additional buildings for accommodation, a primary school, specialist classroom space, a gymnasium, assembly hall and chapel, the Aitken Building appears to have gone largely unchanged until 1982, when it underwent strengthening and interior refurbishment. Adjoining buildings have been added either side of it since 1959, and the ground floor reception area was expanded in 2008.