Plans dropped for music school at the Royal High

PLANS have been dropped to turn one of Edinburgh’s most iconic buildings – the Royal High School – into a music school.

The decision – made by the Royal High School Preservation Trust – has been prompted by what are being described as “exceptional cost stresses on all capital projects”.

The plan had been for the building – designed by Thomas Hamilton – to be the new home of the St Mary’s Music School currently located in the west of the city.

In a media announcement issued on behalf of the Trust, RHSPT chair, William Gray Muir, is quoted, as saying: ““Despite this disappointment, the board of the Trust is confident that it can successfully fulfil its purpose of protecting and restoring the building for a public, cultural and sustainable use within our existing funds.”

Meanwhile, the interim chief executive of St Mary’s Music School, John Reid, is quoted, as saying: “Obviously, we are very disappointed with the news; however, we are investigating a number of other options and are confident we will have an alternative capable of delivery within the timescale originally envisaged for the Royal High School renovation.”

Picture credit: Place Design Scotland

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