Behold Old College a majestic testament to Edinburgh’s rich academic history. This neoclassical masterpiece wasn’t always known as Old College. Initially called the New College its construction began in 1789. Robert Adam a renowned architect designed the original plans. However the project faced significant delays. The Napoleonic Wars and Adam’s death hampered progress. William Henry Playfair eventually took over completing the building in 1827. His design cleverly combined Adam’s two planned courts into one large quadrangle. The iconic dome a later addition wasn’t part of the initial design. It was added in 1887 thanks to a generous donation.
Old College stands on South Bridge. It replaced older structures built on the site of the Kirk o’ Field a collegiate church. The old buildings were inadequate and partly in ruins by 1763. The university was internationally famous yet its facilities were wholly unsuitable. The South Bridge itself was routed through the College Gardens. A letter from Andrew Dalzell in 1784 humorously suggested that exposing the College’s rear would shame people into funding a new building. That project needed considerable fundraising efforts. The South Bridge Act of 1785 provided the necessary funds.
The foundation stone of the New College was laid in 1789. Demolition of the old buildings began then. The theatre for dissections a structure built around 1760 was demolished to make way for the bridge. A new anatomical theatre was built at the northwest corner in 1792. Construction was slow. Work stopped entirely by 1793 due to lack of funds. By 1827 the main structure was finished. The library and dome were added later. The gilded statue of Youth atop the dome is by John Hutchison. The name eventually shifted from New College to simply The College and finally to Old College. The courtyard was redesigned and paved in 2011. It’s now a lovely venue for celebrations. Today Old College houses parts of the university’s administration the University of Edinburgh School of Law and the Talbot Rice Gallery. A bronze war memorial from 1922 stands proudly in the quadrangle. Step inside Old College and experience a slice of Edinburgh’s vibrant past.