“This unassuming plaque marks a significant chapter in Edinburgh’s history” The HMS Claverhouse Plaque stands before you. It commemorates a building with a fascinating past. Originally a hotel. It was part of a waterfront development planned by the Duke of Buccleuch in the late 1830s. Completed in 1838 it served as the Railway Hotel. Its location was key. It overlooked the new pier. The pier served the Granton-Burntisland train ferry. This was a vital link before the Forth Bridge opened in 1890. The design is attributed to William Burn. Some sources however credit John Henderson. It’s a three-story building with a basement. The exterior is beautiful tooled sandstone. Classical in style. The symmetrical rectangular plan is impressive. Decorative features are plentiful. They include band courses above and below the piano nobile. V-jointed angle quoins are present. An eaves cornice and architraved windows complete the exterior. A Doric entrance porch is on the west side. Cast-iron torchere lamp standards flank the entrance. These lamp standards are also listed.
With World War II’s outbreak in September 1939 the Royal Navy took over. It became HMS Claverhouse. The building served for reserve training. From April 1940 it hosted Merchant Navy Defence Courses. It was also headquarters for the local Coastal Forces’ Motor Launches. Decommissioned on August 15 1945 it became the Forth Division’s Training Centre. It functioned as a drill ship until 1958.
Today the HMS Claverhouse building is known as the Claverhouse Training Centre. It houses E Squadron 205 Scottish Field Hospital Volunteers. No 17 Granton Platoon Army Cadet Force also resides there. The Edinburgh Trinity Sea Cadets share the space. The principal elevations remain largely unaltered. Many nearly original fixtures and fittings survive including the main entrance and lamp standards. The building including the lamp standards has been a category B listed building since 1970. The plaque is a reminder of this rich naval and military history. It’s a testament to the building’s enduring legacy. This building witnessed wartime service and peacetime training. It continues to serve the community. The HMS Claverhouse Plaque deserves a moment of reflection. It reminds us of the past’s importance. It’s a small piece of Edinburgh’s story.