Description

David Rhind, 1850. 2-storey and attic (basements to rear) 5-bay former school with Jacobean detailing. Lightly stugged coursed ashlar with polished dressings; squared and snecked rubble with polished dressings to rear. String course between ground and 1st floors. Bracketed eaves. Chamfered surrounds to doors and windows.

W (RAMSAY LANE) ELEVATION: slightly advanced 3-bay block to centre with shaped gable: tripartite window flanked by bipartites to ground and 1st floors, those to 1st with hoodmoulds and labelstops; small tripartite in gable with hoodmould stepping up over date panel (1850).. Single bay to right with hoodmoulded timber panelled door; carved open book over (see Notes); bipartite window above. Recessed bay to left with steps to clouted timber boarded door with decorative hinges and fanlight (later diamond-pane glazing); single window to right.

S (SIDE) ELEVATION: string course and shaped gable. Door to left in moulded surround.

E (REAR) ELEVATION: regularly fenestrated; mullioned and transomed windows. Gable to left with apex stack.

GATE: 2-leaf cast-iron gate to left with fleur-de-lys finials.

INTERIOR: much remains of the internal fittings of the school - classrooms with timber panelling, some plain chimneypieces, stone stairs with cast-iron banisters.

4-pane glazing with top hoppers. Grey slates. Cast-iron downpipe with decorative hopper.

Statement of Interest

Built as Edinburgh Original Ragged Industrial School, on the initiative of Dr Guthrie. Open bible reads 'Search the Scriptures St John vs v 59.' Acquired by New College with the intention that it should form part of the proposed Patrick Geddes Centre for Planning Studies, by the University of Edinburgh in 1972, and sold to Visitors Centre Ltd in 1982. Part of the building serves as a shop for the Outlook Tower (separately listed).

External Links

• Historic Environment Scotland Listing
• Wikidata Q17804945

External links are from the relevant listing authority and, where applicable, Wikidata. Wikidata IDs may be related buildings as well as this specific building. If you want to add or update a link, you will need to do so by editing the Wikidata entry.

Recommended Books

• 
  Setting up a Listed Building Heritage Partnership Agreement: Historic England Advice Note 5
• 
  Kent: North East and East (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Department for Communities Listed Historic Buildings of Northern Ireland: Information Guide for the 2nd Survey of Historic Buildings
• 
  Old House Handbook 2 Books Bundle Collection (Old House Handbook: A Practical Guide to Care and Repair,Old House Eco Handbook: A Practical Guide to Retrofitting for Energy-Efficiency & Sustainability)
• 
  Berkshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Renovating Old Houses: Bringing New Life to Vintage Homes (For Pros By Pros)