THE UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH HERITAGE TRAIL WELCOME Since its foundation in 1583 the University of Edinburgh has been strongly linked to the city itself. Today the University’s iconic buildings form part of the historic fabric of the city, and represent a key element of Edinburgh’s World Heritage Site. It was in 1995 that the Old and the New Towns of Edinburgh were inscribed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, recognising the unique quality and contrast in architecture between the two sides of the city. The University’s buildings reflect that historical and architectural importance, and were often at the centre of events in Edinburgh’s and Scotland’s history. Many famous and distinguished people have also been associated with the University, including scientists Charles Darwin and Joseph Black, authors Sir Walter Scott, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and Robert Louis Stevenson, and pioneers for women in medicine Sophia Jex-Blake and Elsie Inglis. Use this trail to guide you around some of the most significant buildings on the University of Edinburgh’s campus, explore the city’s unique built heritage and discover the hidden history behind its stone facades. Historical images courtesy of the University of Edinburgh Special Collections, except where otherwise stated OtherOther places places to explore…… to explore a) The Pleasance – a complex built 1925–1938 for the Pleasance Trust, incorporating an older Quakers Hall and graveyard, and now a student union and major Festival Fringe venue. b) Chisholm House – built in 1764 and typical of the surgeons’ houses that would once have occupied the square. c) Buccleuch Place – a street of Georgian town houses built from 1779, now the location of a variety of University departments. d) St Cecilia’s Hall – built in 1763 for the Musical Society of Edinburgh, and home to a museum of early instruments. e) Reid Concert Hall and Museum – built in 1858 and the location of the University’s historic musical instrument collection. f) Bedlam Theatre – formerly the North Free Church built in 1846, named after the city’s lunatic asylum, which once stood on this site. g) Adam House – built 1954–1955 but inspired by the city’s classical architecture, and named after Adam Square, which was once on this site. h) Milne’s Court – built in 1690 to a design by Robert Mylne, the building was bought by the University of Edinburgh in 1961 and restored as student accomodation. You can follow the University of Edinburgh Heritage Trail on Foursquare. foursquare.com/uniofedinburgh/list/heritage-trail David Hume Tower GEORGE SQUARE Modernist architecture • 1766 - Square laid out to a design by The David Hume Tower is now James Brown, in the most ambitious new regarded as one of the key development yet attempted in the city. examples of Scottish Modernist architecture, and is a category A • Many well-known people lived here, for listed building. example the boyhood home of Sir Walter Scott (1771–1832) was at No. 25 and It is among the very few buildings Thomas Carlyle (1795–1881) courted of the 1960s designed by Sir Jane Welsh at No. 22. Both Sir Walter Scott ‘George Square... Robert Matthew, one of the most and Thomas Carlyle studied at the University. important British architects of the inhabited by the more 20th century. • 1914 - The University bought its first property opulent of the place’ in the Square. In 1949 a major programme of The design called for materials redevelopment was planned. of exceptional quality, reflecting George Square was the first Matthew’s interest in distinctively • 1963 - The David Hume Tower was built to development on the Southside Scottish building. He used a design by Sir Robert Matthew, followed by beyond the old city walls, traditional slate roofing material cut the Appleton Tower in 1965. In 1967 the new offering an exclusive setting for into thick slabs as cladding for the University Library was built, designed by Sir Edinburgh’s professional classes. tower, along with stone rubble on Basil Spence and regarded as one of the walls at lower levels. finest buildings of its type in Europe. Sir Walter Scott's father, a prominent lawyer, was one of the first to have a house built there. His neighbours were a Look out for distinguished set, including the Countess of Sutherland, Lord Many of the houses around the square have plaques Braxfield and Henry Dundas, marking the homes of residents including the authors the future Viscount Melville. Sir Walter Scott and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, thesaurus Before long George Square had its creator Peter Mark Roget and the athlete Eric Liddell. own Assembly Rooms at numbers 14–16 for social gatherings, with a ballroom 92 feet long, lit by 11 George Square crystal chandeliers. It was noted Gardens has that people would stand on the a labyrinth to High Street and shout loudly for explore and a sedan chair to take them to many sculptures George Square, ensuring that donated to the everyone in earshot would be University. suitably impressed. For opening hours visit www.ed.ac.uk/labyrinth • 1887 - Built to a design by Sydney Mitchell, making it The architect Sydney Mitchell the oldest purpose-built student union in the world. Sydney One of the most the Royal Mile, a high- • 1906 - A Debating Hall was Mitchell was significant was John profile project for a added to the upper floors. one of the city’s most R Findlay, proprietor relatively young and important architects, of The Scotsman inexperienced architect. • 1962 - The building was and an alumnus of newspaper. He extended to the south. the University. employed Mitchell for Many of Sydney his first commissions, Mitchell’s buildings • - Student Union bar sold 1970 At the age of 27 Mitchell alterations to both show his great interest spirits for the first time. started to practise on Findlay's own house at in Scottish buildings of his own account, helped the Renaissance period. • - Teviot Row House Rothesay Terrace and 1981 by wealthy clients Teviot Row House became the ‘Fringe Club’ during the design of Well Court he had met through is a good example the Festival, providing nightly in the Dean Village. In his father, who was with turnpike stairs, showcases to allow audiences 1885 he was in charge Chairman of gothic windows and a to sample shows. of the restoration of the Scottish Life the Mercat Cross on hammerbeam roof for Assurance Company. the Debating Hall. TEVIOT ROW HOUSE Run by students for students Teviot Row House was Teviot Row House was the inspiration of the designed to cater to all first student council to of the students’ needs, be founded in the UK. but it is clear that Victorian requirements Edinburgh University’s were quite different ‘Student Representative to those of today. The Council’, formed in building included billiard 1884, was the idea of rooms, a servants’ Robert Fitzroy Bell, hall, tea and luncheon Look out for who was inspired rooms, a writing room, by examples he had library, dressing room, seen in Germany. The Drum-shaped towers at the main A louvre on top of the roof, retiring room, barber, building of a student entrance inspired by the Renaissance adding to the character of and fives courts in the union was one of their palaces of Holyrood and Falkland. the building. basement. first priorities. University Cycling Club c.1900 University ceremonies The McEwan Hall was the University in 1583. purpose-built as a venue The Principal of the for grand occasions University doffs each such as graduation student with a bonnet, ceremonies, Rectoral said to be made from addresses, concerts and John Knox’s breeches. public events. The Rector of the The construction of the University is elected by hall was funded by Sir staff and students every William McEwan MP, three years, and the from the fortune he had successful candidate made in the brewing makes his or her industry. His gift enabled address in the McEwan the building of this Hall. The post is often magnificent D-shaped given to a famous figure hall, with stunning and has been held by interior decoration. Winston Churchill, David McEWAN HALL Lloyd-George and Sir The graduation Alexander Fleming. In ceremonies here follow 1973 the future Prime • 1887–1897 - Built centuries of tradition, Minister Gordon Brown to a design by some of which date became the youngest Sir Robert back to the founding of ever student Rector. Rowand Anderson. • 1953 - Ceremony installed the Duke The Space Bunnet The made from material of Edinburgh as Look out for bunnet donated by George Chancellor of the The dome is a distinctive part of the has been Buchanan, a teacher University. Edinburgh skyline. used at University of at St Andrews, who Edinburgh graduations taught Edinburgh’s • 1957 - Indian for a very long time. first Principal - Robert Prime Minister It is believed that the Rollock. The bunnet Jawaharlal Nehru velvet used to make currently used at addressed Indian the bunnet came from graduations is referred students. John Knox’s breeches, to as the Space Bunnet although this has not as its embroidered • 2010 - The hall’s been confirmed. It is badge was taken into organ made by alternatively suggested space by Piers Sellers, Henry Willis was The carving above the main door shows a that the bunnet was a graduate of the fully restored. graduation ceremony in progress. University. • 1874 - The site Infirmary of Edinburgh fascinated by the way was purchased Joseph Bell: and lecturer at the the professor could and a public appeal the original Medical School next deduce a person’s was launched. door. Among his occupation and origins Sherlock many achievements from closely analysing • 1876–1886 - Built in he founded a nursing their appearance.