A riddle for you. What stands on the site of an old slaughterhouse and once housed pupils decanted from another school? It is Tollcross Primary School.
Tollcross Primary School has a fascinating history. The school stands on Fountainbridge near Tollcross in Edinburgh. It is a mixed, non-denominational primary school. Tollcross Primary School offered Gaelic medium primary education. It was the only one in Edinburgh and the Lothians. Later, the Gaelic medium got its own facility. This was called Bun-sgoil Taobh na Pàirce. It was situated at the old Bonnington primary building.
Let’s dive into the story of how Tollcross Primary School came to be. In 1896, Andrew Usher made an offer. He was a well-known philanthropist. He was also the son of the famous distilling family. He offered the City Council £100,000. This was to found a Concert Hall for the people of Edinburgh. The site chosen for the Concert Hall was that of Lothian Road Public School.
So a new school had to be built. The site of the City Slaughterhouse on Fountainbridge was chosen. Pupils from Lothian Road Public School were moved. They went to a school in West Fountainbridge. This was until the new school was completed. The architect of Tollcross Primary School was John Alexander Carfrae. He was born in 1868. He had worked for Robert Wilson. Wilson was the architect to the Edinburgh School Board. Carfrae took over from him in 1901.
Tollcross Primary School sits on the site of the former Municipal Slaughterhouse of Fountainbridge. The slaughterhouse was right on the kerbside. But it was decided to set the school building back from the road. It allowed Fountainbridge to be widened. The only part of the original slaughterhouse still standing is the Janitor’s House. The ornate “Egyptian” style frontage was taken down. It was stored with a view to being re-erected later. But it has never been found. What a mystery.
In 2012, Tollcross Primary School celebrated its centenary. It was 100 years old. The centenary celebrations included a whole school concert. It celebrated each decade the school had lived through. There was also a centenary picnic at Harrison Park.
Tollcross Primary School continues to serve its community. It provides education and a sense of history to its students. The school’s address is 117 Fountainbridge, Edinburgh, EH3 9QG. The head teacher is Lynn Brand. The associated secondary school is James Gillespie’s High. Tollcross Primary School even has Green Flag Eco-Schools status. A testament to its commitment to sustainability. From its unusual beginnings to its current role, Tollcross Primary School remains a vital part of Edinburgh.