Library Item

3828

Heriot's Hospital, north side of quadrangle

A view of Heriot's School, Edinburgh which has a Renaissance design with many ornately carved windows. Carved into the wall is a niche with a statue of a man in it. The man has a beard and moustache. He is wearing a doublet, breeches, a neck ruff and a cloak. The niche has columns on either side and the surrounding windows have ornate carving of stylised flowers and angels above them. A row of arches can be seen beneath the statue.

1850

15.2 x 20 cm

Edinburgh and Scottish Collection

George Heriot was a famous and wealthy Edinburgh goldsmith and moneylender. When he died in 1624 he left a considerable sum of money to establish a school for the poor and parentless in Edinburgh. Construction of George Heriot's Hospital began in 1628 but was not finished until 1650. It was almost immediately appropriated by Cromwell for use as a military hospital. It resumed its role as a school and home for orphans in 1659. It later came to be known as George Heriot's School, and now operates as an independent mixed school.