I was able to go somewhere quite special yesterday here in Edinburgh. I'd been speaking to a colleague at work and he told me that the Old Royal High School had been opened specially as a pop-up venue and pub for the Edinburgh Festival which happens over August. That was all I needed to know - that made its yesterdays target !
The Royal High School was established in 1128 and is actually the 18th oldest school in the world ! It has been housed in a number of buildings, and I've always admired the one we were able to go inside yesterday !
This particular building housed the school from 1829 to 1968. And sits on Calton Hill, giving it a commanding view over the city. Building started in 1826, and it was designed by Thomas Hamilton.
The building has been dis-used for decades (around 60 years) and so I was very excited to find that it had been opened as a pop-up venue for the festival. And we were not disappointed !
A piano bar had been set up in one of the old internal rooms - and it was fantastic. While there, the guy you can see on the piano played away, for about an hour. He was not an organised performer, but just someone who could play who visited the bar !
The bar itself was made from old pianos ! And they had a scheme running suggesting that if you were buying a round of drinks, that you would also consider getting one for any performers, and so I did !
The room was stunning. It was a square room with an octagonal roof - with triangular corners to marry the square to the octagon - I loved it. And along the back wall they also had an exhibition from an artist - you could buy his paintings, which were quite impressive.
The features in the room were incredible. Just look at the ceiling detail - a laurel wreath/crown with St Andrews crosses (Patron Saint of Scotland).
And we also got to see the room above, an old debating chamber, with the old debating oval and the steep sided chairs and gallery above for spectators. It was quite impressive.
The building just oozed architectural beauty at every turn - just look at the windows above.
And I spotted the plaque above this door. It stood out because of the IR6 - which refers to King James the 6th of Scotland, who sat on the throne long before this building was built. A little bit of research found that the plaque was taken from the old Blackfriars Pediment, dating from 1578 !
You can see it in full context above the door - with the door itself being a thing of beauty !
And an outdoor bar was also set up on the terrace - which was pretty cool.
For me it was an utter teat to be able to get inside this building which is normally closed. I loved it, and will go back again, the bar was the best drinking den ever.
Above is the end of the school, and you can just see how overgrown it is !
Another side view above, and you can see the commanding view it has looking over towards Arthurs Seat and Crags (a hill/mountain in Edinburgh).
I really loved the experience and getting to see inside such an iconic building - and I'll have to go back before August is finished, as I might never get the chance again !
All the best from Scotland !
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This is a wonderful post! I enjoyed reading. You were very vivid in telling us how the the structure of the 18th old school is like. It is historical. Thank you for sharing.
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You are welcome - it was an fantastic place to visit - I loved it !
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