Edinburgh & The Lothians

The Royal High School on Calton Hill became part of Edinburgh’s landscape in 1829. Designed by Thomas Hamilton, it stood proudly as a physical link between the city’s Old Town and New Town. Today it is both an exceptional example of the neo-classical architecture for which Edinburgh is famous and a testament to the importance that Scotland has long placed on access to excellence in education. Sustaining its historic significance as a symbol of Scotland’s commitment to recognising and supporting the talents of its people, regardless of wealth or privilege is as important as respecting the building’s architectural quality.

The Royal High School Preservation Trust was established to protect and preserve the building and to deliver a public use for it. Our overall architectural objective is to allow Hamilton’s building and its setting against Calton Hill to be seen as originally intended. At the same time, with the desire to leave a new cultural legacy equal to and as long-lasting as the city’s fathers’ original purpose 250 years ago, we plan to repurpose this magnificent building as a National Centre for Music.