Conservation Project
“ Thomas Hamilton’s Royal High School is one of the most important - perhaps the most important - of Scotland’s many fine Greek-revival buildings. Its reputation is, quite literally, international. ”
History of the Building
Thomas Hamilton’s former Royal High School has been noted as one of the most accomplished Neoclassical buildings in Britain. Its outstanding heritage significance is of international reach. Resting on the southern slopes of Calton Hill, the building commands a striking presence within Edinburgh’s cityscape. Its Doric style nods to the Temple of Theseus, while its prominent façade harmonises with Calton Hill’s iconic structures, including the National Monument – an unfinished model of the Parthenon - forming a cohesive scene reminiscent of the Acropolis. Completed in 1829, Hamilton’s design was a cornerstone in Edinburgh’s ambition to become the ‘Athens of the North,’ a concept central to the city’s Greek Revival period.
Originally built to replace the Royal High School’s previous Old Town location, the school relocated again in 1968 and the building has been dormant up to this point. It was designated as a Category A Listed Structure, and its surrounding location was granted UNESCO World Heritage Status in 1995. As concerns grew for the building, it was added to the Buildings at Risk Register in 2000.
In the late 70’s the building underwent refurbishment to accommodate a proposed Scottish Parliament however the 1979 devolution referendum failed to pass, so this work went to waste. In 2015 the City of Edinburgh Council, initiated a project to lease it to be used as a luxury hotel. Proposals by the hotel developer were met with objections from local residents and the Royal High School Preservation Trust proposed alternative use for cultural and public benefit.
RHSPT Conservation Project
There are occasions when our architectural and cultural history are worth fighting for. This seminal building by one of our greatest architects deserves a new life and a new legacy.
This project will restore Thomas Hamilton’s A listed masterpiece, to its rightful place at the centre of our capital city’s cultural life. It will preserve the history and heritage of one of the city and nation’s most prestigious buildings, giving it a re-birth fitting for Edinburgh’s twenty-first century residents and visitors.
The new design will see the existing building repurposed to feature clearly defined spaces for education, community engagement and performance; all set in fully accessible public gardens. To protect both the integrity and setting of the Hamilton masterpiece, secondary buildings (added when the original school was running short of space) will be removed to increase the outdoor space available for public events and activities.
By taking a conservation-led approach to adapting the building for contemporary, cultural use we will:
- Create a stunningly intimate performance hall as well as two smaller performance rooms
- Excavate at lower ground floor level to create space for back of house, toilets and changing places toilet
- A new Foyer / Interval Bar will utilise the impressive, vaulted furnace room as a centrepiece of the design
- Make the building accessible by creating external level access and installing four new multi-level lifts
- Carve out space for new hospitality and events spaces on the first floor of the West wing, and below, a café with external access to courtyard
- Create musician rehearsal and recording rooms within the East Wing
- Create a visitor welcome and heritage interpretation centre in the West Pavilion
- Create a learning and engagement studio in the East Pavilion
The Vision
To conserve and enhance the former Royal High School as an internationally significant heritage asset, ensuring its long-term preservation and sustainable public use through cultural performances and activities, and provisions of accessible gardens for public benefit.