New Parliament House (Old Royal High School), Edinburgh, Scotland

New Parliament House, formerly the Old Royal High School, is a historic neoclassical building on the southern slope of Calton Hill in Edinburgh, Scotland. For 140 years it served as the city’s main grammar school for boys. It was planned to house the Scottish Parliament, but after the failed 1979 referendum, it was never used. When the Scottish Parliament was formed in 1997, they selected an alternative site, and the New Parliament house was left mothballed.

This exploration was a rather intense mission, back in 2020 when I photographed the building. Crawling through a series of dark, claustrophobic air vents while a colony of pigeons were trying to exit at the same time. Still, it was an adventure and certainly a memorable exploration (including the horrendous smell; I will never forget that!)

History – From Old Royal High School to proposed Parliament debating chamber

In the early nineteenth century, Edinburgh Town Council sought new premises for a boys’ grammar school. The previous school, High School Yards, had already reached its capacity, and students complained about the dark and crowded classrooms. In 1825, the town council purchased land on Calton Hill. Shortly after, construction of the school began at a cost of £34,000. King George IV donated £500 as a “token of a royal favour towards the School”. This granted the school the “Royal” epithet.

The school opened to pupils in October 1829, serving as Edinburgh’s main grammar school for boys for 140 years. Schoolmasters taught a classic curriculum which focused on Latin grammar, Greek history, and philosophy. The classes expanded to include date mathematics, modern geography, and natural science. The classes expanded to include Dater mathematics, modern geography, and natural science. to the classes. Eventually, the school relocated in 1968, and the building was put up for sale. Generations of Scottish writers, politicians, and scientists received their education within its classrooms.

In the 1970s, the UK government (Scottish Office) bought the vacant site with plans to house the Scottish Assembly here. The name New Parliament House was adopted. As part of the plan, the school’s central hall was renovated into a debating chamber at a cost of £1.75 million. The rest of the building was likewise remodelled to serve as press galleries and offices. The failed devolution referendum in 1979 left the building in limbo with no Scottish Assembly and a purpose-built layout that made alternative use problematic.

Following the successful referendum in 1997, the devolved Scottish Parliament was formed. New Parliament House was re-considered as a potential site but ultimately rejected due to accessibility, space and security concerns. The site was also considered politically sensitive due to its links with the UK government.

“Athens Of The North – Part of the Edinburgh Acropolis

Architect Thomas Hamilton designed the complex in the Greek Revival style, drawing direct inspiration from the Parthenon on the Acropolis in Athens. The layout follows classical symmetry with a central pavilion housing the main hall, with two long colonnades extending outward. The central hall is flanked by matching pavilions forming the east and west wings. The impressive building became an iconic part of the capital’s skyline and the Edinburgh Acropolis.

2026 – New Parliament House will become Scotland’s National Centre for Music

Essentially, the site stood vacant for nearly 50 years (along with a costly and unused renovation). After the school left and the political assembly plans were abandoned, Edinburgh City Council regained ownership.

In 2015, a developer put forward plans to convert the listed building into a luxury hotel. This included the addition of two six-storey wings to the hillside. The plans met with resistance from local residents and heritage bodies, including Historic Environment Scotland. The council refused planning permission, and the Edinburgh Council invited proposals for other uses.

In 2024, initial funding and approval for Scotland’s National Centre for Music were granted. A National Lottery Heritage Fund meant the project was greenlit. The Royal High School Preservation Trust took control of the property, handing a £47 million restoration contract to construction partner Robertson Group. The interior project converts the former political debating chamber into a 300-seat concert hall. The rest of the site will have two smaller performance spaces, rehearsal studios, and recording rooms. The rest of the site will also house two smaller performance spaces, rehearsal studios, and recording rooms. St Mary’s Music School will occupy part of the complex for teaching, while a public café and terraced gardens will welcome visitors.