Royal High School Preservation Trust

Creating a cultural destination

This bold and ambitious capital project will restore one of the most important neoclassical buildings in Scotland for cultural and community benefit. Having sat dormant for over 50 years, the Royal High School is being redeveloped to create the National Centre for Music. The grounds surrounding the building will also be transformed, creating a haven for wildlife and bringing beauty and joy to residents and visitors.

Placemaking is at the heart of this project. By bringing culture, heritage, and horticulture together in a unique setting, a strong sense of place and local engagement will contribute to wider social outcomes of community inclusion, improved health and wellbeing, and skills development.

As part of the project, the Royal High School Preservation Trust is also creating a hub for apprenticeships to support skills development in traditional building and construction, heritage, horticulture, and cultural venue operations. The gardens will be maintained by a team of volunteers, becoming part of a community in the heart of Edinburgh.