THE principal of one of Scotland's most exclusive private schools has left his post after just nine months in the job.

Gareth Doodes stood down as head of George Heriot's School in Edinburgh earlier this week with immediate effect. Mr Doodes took up the job in January as the successor to Alistair Hector, but has now decided to rejoin his young family, who remained in England.

Parents were informed of his departure on Thursday night in a letter sent from the school.

A Heriot's spokesman said that he had found that running the school while commuting at week-ends to see his wife and young son had become "challenging".

The spokesman added: "We can confirm that Gareth Doodes has resigned from his position as Principal of the school.

"Although he has thoroughly enjoyed his time at the school, distance from family in England has been challenging. The Board would also like to thank Mr Doodes for the work he has undertaken at the school since his appointment in January.

"We are pleased to have reached agreement to allow him to step down from his role with immediate effect, enabling him and his family to plan for the future."

Mr Doodes was formerly headmaster of Milton Abbey School, a co-educational boarding and day school at Blandford Forum in Dorset. The father-of-one was educated at Eastbourne College, Sussex, and is a graduate of St Andrews University, where he read Modern History.

He gained his teaching qualification from Cambridge University.

Heriot's is regarded as one of the top schools in Scotland, with more than 72 per cent of pupils regularly attaining five or more Highers, according to recent figures.

The school board will now embark on a search for Mr Doodes' replacement, and is inviting applications.

The spokesman added: "The process of recruiting a new Principal will commence shortly and from previous experience we anticipate a high level of interest from throughout the UK and beyond.

"Given the stable and experienced senior management team at the school, we are comfortable in taking our time to select the right candidate."