Description

Alan Robertson, 1913. 3-storey, symmetrical, 11-bay (to principal elevation), Classical, courtyard-plan, purpose-built teacher training centre with principal entrance elevation to S (Holyrood Road). Ashlar with raised channelled margins and coursed, bull-faced pink sandstone. Deep moulded base course, cornice above ground storey, eaves course, cornice, balustraded parapet.

FURTHER DESCRIPTION: entrance elevation to S: advanced outer 3-bays with further advanced central bays with channelled rustication to ground and paired engaged Ionic columns, rising to 1st and 2nd storeys. Segmental-arched pediments above. Central 3-bay round-arched arcade to ground floor leads to inner court. Mullioned and transomed windows above

N elevation with slightly advanced central gabled bay with projecting single storey flat-roofed entrance porch and Venetian window above. Advanced outer bays with central, segmental-headed dormers breaking eaves.

Courtyard elevations symmetrical. N range with central gable and flanking full-height tripartite canted bays surmounted by ogee bell-cast roofs.

Predominantly multi-pane timber sash and case windows. Grey slates.

INTERIOR: (seen 2007). Original room plan largely extant with some notable features. Large open-well staircase with decorative metal balusters, timber handrail and Composite-Order columns. Some classrooms with timber panelling. Large hall with central segmental-arched ceiling and timber panelling and flooring. Timber bookcases to former library. Timber and glass doors. Some decorative plasterwork.

Statement of Interest

A high quality well-detailed building in the Classical Edinburgh tradition, Paterson's Land is a large and striking building. It is a purpose-built teacher training centre which is little altered externally and retains some of its original internal features. The distinctive entrance elevation to the South with its arcaded entrance is a significant addition to the streetscape. The courtyard is notable for its Dutch-gabled section to the North elevation.

Moray House's history has its origins in the mid 19th century. Teacher training was formerly often in the hands of church schools where pupils with aptitude were taught how to be teachers in the evenings. During the 19th century, the government became more involved and the 1872 Education (Scotland) Act which made education compulsory for children from 5-13 meant that many more teachers were required. By 1905 teacher training became the sole responsibility of the government and to accommodate the increasing numbers of teachers required, this new building was constructed. It is now part of the University of Edinburgh (2007).

Alan Robertson (1881-1925) was Edinburgh based and was the architect for the then Scottish Education Department, which brought him the commission for this building.

List description revised as part of Edinburgh Holyrood Ward resurvey 2007-08.

Statutory address updated (2015). Previously listed as '11-37 (odd nos) Holyrood Road, University of Edinburgh, Moray House, Paterson's Land'.

External Links

• Historic Environment Scotland Listing
• Wikidata Q17809545

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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