[PDF] Royal High School - Regent Road Edinburgh Conservation Plan

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Royal High School

Regent Road, Edinburgh

Conservation Plan -

December 2015

Simpson & Brown

Royal High School, Edinburgh ² Conservation Plan 1

Contents Page

1.0 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 3

2.0 INTRODUCTION 7

2.1 Objectives of the Conservation Plan 7

2.2 Study Area 8

2.3 Heritage Designations 9

2.4 Structure of the Report 11

2.5 Adoption & Review 12

2.6 Other Studies 12

2.7 Limitations 12

2.8 Orientation 12

2.9 Project Team 12

2.10 Acknowledgements 12

2.11 Abbreviations 13

2.14 Building Names 13

3.0 UNDERSTANDING THE ROYAL HIGH SCHOOL 17

3.1 Introduction 17

3.2 Historical Background 17

3.3 The Royal High School ² History and Meaning 25

3.4 Later Developments & Alterations 37

3.5 From School to Scottish Assembly 49

3.6 Summary Historical Development 63

3.7 $UŃOLPHŃPV· %LRJUMSOLHV 65

3.8 Timeline of the Greek Revival 67

4.0 ASSESSMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE 70

4.1 Introduction 70

4.2 Historical Significance 70

4.3 Architectural, Aesthetic and Artistic Significance 71

4.4 Social Significance 72

5.0 SUMMARY STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE 73

6.0 GRADING OF SIGNIFICANCE 74

6.1 Introduction 74

6.2 Graded Elements 78

7.0 CONSERVATION ISSUES & POLICIES 80

7.1 Introduction 80

7.2 Base Policies 81

7.3 Conservation Philosophy 81

7.4 Use of Surrounding Land 84

7.5 Specific Policies 85

7.6 Workmanship & Conservation Planning 86

7.7 Access & Interpretation 87

7.8 Recording & Research 88

7.9 Priority Repair Works & Maintenance 89

2 Royal High School, Edinburgh ² Conservation Plan

8.0 APPENDICES 92

APPENDIX I - Listed Building Reports & Inventory Record 92

APPENDIX II - Illustrations at A3 100

Royal High School, Edinburgh ² Conservation Plan 3

1.0 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

7ORPMV +MPLOPRQV· 5R\MO +LJO 6ŃORRO OMV NHHQ GHVŃULNHG MV ´arguably the most

significant and accomplished Greek Revival building in the UK, it has claims to be amongst the finest on a worldwide stage.µ1 ThLV ŃRQVHUYMPLRQ SOMQ IRU 7ORPMV +MPLOPRQ·V 5R\MO High School site is the third such report in ten years. As such, it does not seek to repeat what is already known, but aims to re-visit key aspects of the historical development of the site and provide an analysis of significance that develops on those already conducted. In particular, the conservation plan places a re-HPSOMVLV RQ POH UHOMPLRQVOLS RI POH NXLOGLQJ PR 3OM\IMLU·V Third New Town and wider aspirations of Edinburgh in the first half of the 19th century. The study area comprises five main buildings: the former Royal High School building itself, designed by Thomas Hamilton (1790-1857), and completed in 1829 (including the east and west pavilions); an 1885 gate lodge designed by the Edinburgh School Board architect, Robert Wilson; an 1885 gymnasium block, also by Robert Wilson, extended and altered in 1894; a luncheon hall and craft block building dating to 1924; and a classroom block dating to 1946. All of these buildings are listed in category A; are located in the New Town Conservation Area; New Town Gardens Historic Gardens/Designed Landscape; and within the boundary of the Edinburgh Old and

New Towns World Heritage Site.

7OH LQPHULRU RI +MPLOPRQ·V NXLOGLQJ RMV H[PHQVLYHO\ MOPHUHG LQ POH OMPH 1E70V N\ POH

Property Services Agency in advance of the anticipated Scottish Assembly. The seating and gallery of the great hall were altered, four new staircases introduced and classrooms converted and subdivided into office accommodation. The basement below the great hall was altered to provide a public entrance. This report considers that the majority of these alterations are of lesser significance and are reversible. The cultural significance of the site is outstanding. In particular, the principal elevations of the Hamilton Building are considered to be of both outstanding historical and architectural significance. In addition to the oft-stated architectural significance of the site, the social significance of the site is also considerable, with strong identifiable links in the wider community to both the understanding of the social history of education in 19th century Scotland, and of evolving Scottish politics in the 20th century. The site is important to the people of Edinburgh and Scotland not just as a building, but as a place of identifiable social and educational purpose. A detailed analysis of significance in this report argues that specific elements of the site are, however, of lesser significance. This includes buildings and features of negative significance, such as the 1946 classroom block and the 1970s stair extension to the gallery in the great hall. This report highlights areas of greatest significance that require either carefully considered repair and/or alteration, and areas of lesser significance where alterations to suit a new use might be appropriate.

1 Historic Scotland; Annex 1 to letter in response to 15/03989/FUL; 30-Sept-2015; citydev-

portal.edinburgh.gov.uk, accessed 30-Oct-2015

4 Royal High School, Edinburgh ² Conservation Plan

Figure 1 1895 photograph by Henry Bedford Lemere showing the principal elevation of the Royal High School from Regent Road. Reproduced under licence © HES SC683126 https://canmore.org.uk/file/image/683126 ´

Royal High School

Regent Road, Edinburgh

Conservation Plan -

December 2015

Simpson & Brown

Royal High School, Edinburgh ² Conservation Plan 1

Contents Page

1.0 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 3

2.0 INTRODUCTION 7

2.1 Objectives of the Conservation Plan 7

2.2 Study Area 8

2.3 Heritage Designations 9

2.4 Structure of the Report 11

2.5 Adoption & Review 12

2.6 Other Studies 12

2.7 Limitations 12

2.8 Orientation 12

2.9 Project Team 12

2.10 Acknowledgements 12

2.11 Abbreviations 13

2.14 Building Names 13

3.0 UNDERSTANDING THE ROYAL HIGH SCHOOL 17

3.1 Introduction 17

3.2 Historical Background 17

3.3 The Royal High School ² History and Meaning 25

3.4 Later Developments & Alterations 37

3.5 From School to Scottish Assembly 49

3.6 Summary Historical Development 63

3.7 $UŃOLPHŃPV· %LRJUMSOLHV 65

3.8 Timeline of the Greek Revival 67

4.0 ASSESSMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE 70

4.1 Introduction 70

4.2 Historical Significance 70

4.3 Architectural, Aesthetic and Artistic Significance 71

4.4 Social Significance 72

5.0 SUMMARY STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE 73

6.0 GRADING OF SIGNIFICANCE 74

6.1 Introduction 74

6.2 Graded Elements 78

7.0 CONSERVATION ISSUES & POLICIES 80

7.1 Introduction 80

7.2 Base Policies 81

7.3 Conservation Philosophy 81

7.4 Use of Surrounding Land 84

7.5 Specific Policies 85

7.6 Workmanship & Conservation Planning 86

7.7 Access & Interpretation 87

7.8 Recording & Research 88

7.9 Priority Repair Works & Maintenance 89

2 Royal High School, Edinburgh ² Conservation Plan

8.0 APPENDICES 92

APPENDIX I - Listed Building Reports & Inventory Record 92

APPENDIX II - Illustrations at A3 100

Royal High School, Edinburgh ² Conservation Plan 3

1.0 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

7ORPMV +MPLOPRQV· 5R\MO +LJO 6ŃORRO OMV NHHQ GHVŃULNHG MV ´arguably the most

significant and accomplished Greek Revival building in the UK, it has claims to be amongst the finest on a worldwide stage.µ1 ThLV ŃRQVHUYMPLRQ SOMQ IRU 7ORPMV +MPLOPRQ·V 5R\MO High School site is the third such report in ten years. As such, it does not seek to repeat what is already known, but aims to re-visit key aspects of the historical development of the site and provide an analysis of significance that develops on those already conducted. In particular, the conservation plan places a re-HPSOMVLV RQ POH UHOMPLRQVOLS RI POH NXLOGLQJ PR 3OM\IMLU·V Third New Town and wider aspirations of Edinburgh in the first half of the 19th century. The study area comprises five main buildings: the former Royal High School building itself, designed by Thomas Hamilton (1790-1857), and completed in 1829 (including the east and west pavilions); an 1885 gate lodge designed by the Edinburgh School Board architect, Robert Wilson; an 1885 gymnasium block, also by Robert Wilson, extended and altered in 1894; a luncheon hall and craft block building dating to 1924; and a classroom block dating to 1946. All of these buildings are listed in category A; are located in the New Town Conservation Area; New Town Gardens Historic Gardens/Designed Landscape; and within the boundary of the Edinburgh Old and

New Towns World Heritage Site.

7OH LQPHULRU RI +MPLOPRQ·V NXLOGLQJ RMV H[PHQVLYHO\ MOPHUHG LQ POH OMPH 1E70V N\ POH

Property Services Agency in advance of the anticipated Scottish Assembly. The seating and gallery of the great hall were altered, four new staircases introduced and classrooms converted and subdivided into office accommodation. The basement below the great hall was altered to provide a public entrance. This report considers that the majority of these alterations are of lesser significance and are reversible. The cultural significance of the site is outstanding. In particular, the principal elevations of the Hamilton Building are considered to be of both outstanding historical and architectural significance. In addition to the oft-stated architectural significance of the site, the social significance of the site is also considerable, with strong identifiable links in the wider community to both the understanding of the social history of education in 19th century Scotland, and of evolving Scottish politics in the 20th century. The site is important to the people of Edinburgh and Scotland not just as a building, but as a place of identifiable social and educational purpose. A detailed analysis of significance in this report argues that specific elements of the site are, however, of lesser significance. This includes buildings and features of negative significance, such as the 1946 classroom block and the 1970s stair extension to the gallery in the great hall. This report highlights areas of greatest significance that require either carefully considered repair and/or alteration, and areas of lesser significance where alterations to suit a new use might be appropriate.

1 Historic Scotland; Annex 1 to letter in response to 15/03989/FUL; 30-Sept-2015; citydev-

portal.edinburgh.gov.uk, accessed 30-Oct-2015

4 Royal High School, Edinburgh ² Conservation Plan

Figure 1 1895 photograph by Henry Bedford Lemere showing the principal elevation of the Royal High School from Regent Road. Reproduced under licence © HES SC683126 https://canmore.org.uk/file/image/683126 ´