Royal High School project gets £5m in Lottery cash

the Royal High School Preservation Trust (RHSPT) said an initial award of £437,046 had been secured from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, to be used towards development planning and costs.

The Trust says a further £4,562,147 will then be made available to put towards the longer-term delivery of the project, with both organisations “working closely together to ensure the steps are put in place to secure that funding”.

The former Royal High School on Calton Hill was built in 1826 and designed by Thomas Hamilton.

Its transformation into The National Centre for Music would bring “a new destination venue and place for creative exchange for communities across Scotland and visitors to the city”.

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The Trust says the project will have a significant economic impact on both the Edinburgh and wider Scottish economy, creating jobs, apprenticeships and volunteering opportunities.

As part of the plans, Edinburgh will also get its first public garden in the city centre in over 200 years.

The “ambitious” garden project will see the creation of new gardens with free public access in the grounds of the building.

The initial £437,046 funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund will support vital work in the initial development stage of the project.

This includes further investigative surveys and works to the site and additional consultation to refine the activity plan, heritage interpretation design and plans to evaluate the project.

Carol Nimmo, Chair of the RHSPT said: “This project will create a unique environment, unlike anything in Edinburgh at the moment.

“It will preserve the history and heritage of one of the city and nation’s most prestigious buildings, giving it a rebirth fitting for 21st century city residents and visitors.

“The redevelopment will create a National Centre for Music encompassing three performance spaces, rehearsal rooms, a recording studio, interpretation and learning spaces, while a new café and public landscaped gardens with stunning views across the city will provide an unparalleled cultural experience.

“We look forward to welcoming around 290,000 visitors every year and thank The National Lottery Heritage Fund for its support for this exciting project.”

Initial exploration works are already underway in the building with full construction due to begin in summer 2025 for completion and opening in summer 2027.

Work on the garden spaces is also due to begin later this year and will represent the first major new city centre public garden since Princes Street Gardens opened back in 1820.

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With an East and West Garden, the plans aim to provide “an oasis of calm” from the busy city centre “while creating a contemporary setting that respects the neo-classical features of the former Royal High School building”.

The West Garden area has been designed to fit with the wild landscapes that surround the site, complementing its location at the foot of Calton Hill.

It will feature native trees like Scots pine, birch and rowan and other plants native to the region.

Jenny Jamison, creative director for the new National Centre for Music said: “We are continuing to develop the National Centre for Music concept and this funding allows us to move on with our plans at pace.

“Our vision is to be an energising force in the Scottish music sector, creating an inspiring environment in the unique setting of this treasured building – where Scottish musical history will be made.”

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The announcement coincides with Heritage Treasures Day, which spotlights the diverse range of heritage projects across the UK that have been saved thanks to funding from National Lottery players over the past 30 years.

Eilish McGuinness, chief executive, The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said: “It is wonderful to start the new year investing in projects that are saving heritage treasures across the UK.

“With decades of shared memories these exceptional buildings will be repurposed for the 21st century at the centre of communities and places.”

“Thanks to money raised from National Lottery players over the last 30 years, we have awarded £3.3bn to more than 10,300 historic building and monument projects for the long term, helping to ensure heritage is valued, cared for and sustained for everyone, now and in the future.”