Description

E J MacRae, 1930-31 (see Notes). Rectangular cast-iron police call box with classical details. Painted blue. 2-bay pilastered long elevations. Single bay elevations with open pediments containing ribboned wreath paterae. Plaque with city arms to door. Saltire glazing pattern to all elevations. Low-pitched roof.

Statement of Interest

This example of an Edinburgh police box is situated prominently beneath stone steps (currently out of use - 2008) leading to High School Yards. This police box was originally positioned outside the City Mortuary on the corner of High School Yards and the Cowgate, as evidenced on the 1952 Ordnance Survey map. It was moved in 1971 as part of the redevelopment of the City Mortuary.

The Edinburgh police box adopts a Classical style to complement the city's classical architecture and while no longer in use for their original pupose, remain a distinctive feature of the city with significant historic and architectural value. Police boxes were introduced to Britain in the late 19th century and become widespread during the 1930's. During this later period, a standard design for Britain was introduced, although Edinburgh did not adopt this and instead the city architect, E J MacRae working with assistants A Rollo and J A Tweedie, designed the Edinburgh box. Each box was intended to serve as a "miniature police station" for officers on the beat with telephone, incident book, fire extinguisher and first-aid kit inside. The official objectives of the Police Box system included 'communicating information to or from the station' and 'preparing reports on occurrences'.

List description updated in 2013

External Links

• Historic Environment Scotland Listing
• Wikidata Q17794824

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.

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