The Gardens
Designed to complement the grandeur of Thomas Hamilton’s masterpiece and blend seamlessly into the geological drama of Calton Hill, the gardens are destined to become a landmark in their own right. Our new public space, in an urban location where no garden existed before, overlooking the city skyline and the epic vista of Salisbury Crags beyond, will be the greatest horticultural addition to the capital since the creation of Princes Street Gardens in the 19th century.
A unique and peerless oasis
Approached from the West, with its dramatic entrance path cut into the basalt rock, the vision, colour and meticulous detail of Tom Stuart-Smith’s design, supported by Edinburgh based landscape architects, OPEN (part of SLR), is a stunning introduction to a building reborn. The gardens offer a dramatic juxtaposition of purity and roughness, mirroring that of our capital city, and elevating the traditional green space to new heights.
“ We will transform this underused but important space to create gardens which are a haven for wildlife and bring beauty and joy in the heart of Edinburgh. ”
Local, natural, transformational
Our gardens are of the city, for the city. Flora will be carefully chosen for colour and architectural form, providing an ever-changing canvas as we journey through the seasons. The palette will include a judicious selection of pine trees, gorse, heather and moor grass, as well those on the Notable Species List as we strive to support, protect and grow our less common, indigenous plant-life.
The back walls, dug deep into Calton Hill, are sunny sheltered areas, which will be maximised for planting species that might otherwise not thrive in the city. A pergola will hug the length of North wall to create a serene and contemplative ‘philosophers walk’.
But it’s not just about getting lost in thought. The garden will be a place of discovery and exploration, attracting the interest of a more youthful audience. There will be curatorial guides and handbooks providing self-led content to enjoy for small children and eager minds. And, of course, music will play a major part in the garden’s composition, with dedicated spaces for outdoor performances and intimate recitals. The beating heart of the building will be heard and felt in the landscape that surrounds it.
“ OPEN is very proud to be involved with the Royal High School, assisting the Trust since 2015 in setting a new an uplifting vision for this iconic Scottish landmark. It is so exciting to be working with Tom Stuart-Smith and his team in creating an appropriate and environmentally conscious garden setting in the heart of our home town. ”
A garden for all
The gardens will be open daily, free of charge, to everyone. Accessibility is of paramount importance so we will make sure all needs are catered for.
An inspiring and flexible space
The gardens will help people connect with our natural heritage and increase their understanding and joy of nature.
However, this oasis won’t be solely dedicated to horticulture.
A programme of regular events and talks will share learning about the gardens, skills and careers, biodiversity, health and wellbeing. Community groups will be invited to use the gardens, where a calendar of activities will engage an even wider number of people. We will support our education institutions deliver learning activities, providing insights into conservation, native species and precious microsystems.
Like all living things, the garden will require daily care and attention. We will recruit a team of volunteer “friends” to work alongside a Cultural Gardener to maintain the gardens while developing their own horticultural skills.
“ The benefits of connecting with nature are widely understood and underpinned by ever-growing research. Our gardens, virtue of their positioning, accessibility, and community engagement programmes will have meaningful impact on the health and wellbeing of all our visitors, participants and volunteers. ”
