Latest news with #RoyalHighSchool
The Herald Scotland
24-07-2025
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
New Edinburgh music venues land share of £14m cash pot
The Wolfson Foundation has agreed to support the creation of a new National Centre for Music and concert hall at the former Royal High School, one of the city's most prominent landmarks, on Calton Hill. It will also be funding Edinburgh's first purpose-built concert hall for a century, which is earmarked for a site behind a Royal Bank of Scotland building in the New Town. Read more: The two projects, which have both been in the planning for more than decade, will get a share of £14m worth of grants announced by a UK-wide charity. And it is hoped they will be able to secure further support as the projects progress in the next few years. The Dunard Centre will be Edinburgh's first purpose-built concert hall for more than a century. (Image: David Chipperfield Architects) Both projects are being largely bankrolled by Scotland's biggest arts philanthropist, Carol Colburn Grigor. Her Dunard Fund has committed at least £45m to the £69m National Centre for [[Music]] project. It recently secured a pledge of up to £5m from the National Lottery Heritage Fund and £2.85m from a separate charitable trust set up by the late British philanthropist Julia Rausing. A new National Centre for Music will be created on Edinburgh's Calton Hill under plans to transform the former Royal High School building. (Image: Supplied) The Dunard Centre, which is expected to cost more than £115m to build, has secured £80m of private support, including £35m from Ms Grigor's charity, as well as £25m from the Scottish and UK governments, and the city council. The Wolfson Foundation plans to spend more than £200m across the UK over the next five years, across arts, science, health and heritage projects. The Dunard Centre concert hall will be created in the heart of Edinburgh's New Town. (Image: Supplied) The National Centre for Music project, which has been awarded an initial £500,000 from the foundation, will see three indoor performance spaces created inside the A-listed building. The grounds of the complex, which is due to open in 2027, will become home to the first public gardens in the city since the creation of Princes Street Gardens more than 200 years ago. The Dunard Centre project, which has been allocated an initial £100,000 by the foundation, will see a 1000-capacity concert hall built off St Andrew Square, next to the new St James Quarter complex, by 2029. The new venue, which is expected to showcase all forms of music, will become a new home for the Scottish Chamber Orchestra and will be used by the Edinburgh International Festival each August. A spokesperson for the National Centre for Music said: 'This grant will help protect and save the heritage of one of the most remarkable A listed buildings in Edinburgh. 'Our project will create a home for the National Centre for Music which will offer a range of ways for people who live, work and visit the city to come together to engage with the built and social heritage, and Scottish music heritage. 'The National Centre for Music is a newly created charity which will nurture and celebrate the richness of Scotland's music making – across all genres and all levels. It will become an iconic destination – where artists come to deepen their practice, make new work and connect with others, and where audiences come to expand their passions and have uplifting experiences. 'The former Royal High School will provide an inspiring setting in which to learn, make and share music. With a flexible main hall, a suite of practice rooms and a recording studio, it will provide significant new facilities for Scotland's musicians – from top professionals to those just starting their musical learning. 'The National Centre for Music will be a city centre venue for diverse musical communities, participants and audiences. A public engagement programme is being developed that will include creative learning, heritage interpretation, and community-led activity shaped by ongoing consultation. 'Particular attention is being given to reaching groups who are often underrepresented in culture and heritage, including young people, people living in local communities of socioeconomic deprivation, and people with additional support needs." A spokesperson for the Dunard Centre said: 'This generous funding will be instrumental in supporting our ambitious vision to create a new, world-class concert hall in the heart of Edinburgh, catering for 21st century audiences and artists. 'With a mission to create an inclusive, accessible hub, the venue will be 'a hall for all', offering opportunities for people of all ages and stages to learn, participate, create and engage with the arts, as well as opening up a new, free-to-access public space. 'This inaugural grant marks the first step in our relationship with the Wolfson Foundation. 'With a shared commitment to promoting and supporting excellence, we look forward to developing our relationship as plans for Edinburgh's first concert hall in 100 years progress.' Other projects being funded in Scotland include the Angus arts centre Hospitalfield, which has secured £150,000 for a restoration of its building and a new collections study centre. Earlier this year, Wolfson Foundation chief executive Paul Ramsbottom said the charity was aware of a 'crucial need' for capital infrastructure funding for projects across the UK. He said: 'There are few other similar sources of funding and yet organisations need to keep investing in their physical infrastructure. 'A majority of our funding in the next five years will therefore be allocated for infrastructure: refurbishment, equipment and new build.'
The National
13-07-2025
- Politics
- The National
Snide comment about the SNP's lack of action was factually incorrect
There have been a plethora of similar self-proclaimed 'radical' and 'left' parties and groupings founded over the past 60 or so years, but none of them has gained any significant and/or sustained degree of traction. READ MORE: Jeremy Corbyn's new outfit won't back indyref2. No British party will The inescapable fact is that the 'working classes' and the various other target groups identified by those parties simply chose not to support or vote for them! Jeremy Corbyn and Zarah Sultana no doubt have noble aims behind their decision to form a new party of the left south of the Border but I fear that they, like some present-day Don Quixote and Sancho Panza, will end up tilting at inanimate windmills, having traversed an arid and inhospitable landscape. In his column Mark Brown also filled up space by having a customary pop at the SNP. I took particular issue with his snide comment that 'The party ... has never so much as broken a window in the cause of independence'. I appreciate that the incident may have taken place before Mark's time, but I recall Jim Sillars nursing a heavily bandaged cut arm and hand sustained while seeking – via a window – to enter and occupy the old Royal High School building in Edinburgh in 1981 as part of the SNP's then civil disobedience campaign. It is not only BBC Scotland that get their 'facts' wrong! Brian McGarry Inverkeithing IAIN K of Dunoon in his Long Letter (Jul 11) makes an important point about the House of Lords, and the iniquity of 'Lords Spiritual', ie, 26 English Anglican bishops, in particular, influencing decisions on Scotland within the British constitution. No Scottish, Welsh or Northern Irish Anglican bishop sits in the House of Lords. Neither does any Roman Catholic bishop. It is the Scottish Episcopal Church that continues in communion with the Anglican family of churches, which includes the Episcopal Church in the USA, the first bishop of which was consecrated in Aberdeen by Scottish bishops in 1784. READ MORE: Ian Murray panned for 'disgraceful' U-turns as past motions resurface I recall two examples that The National has covered on English bishops in the House of Lords attempting to influence decisions upon Scotland: 1. 'Archbishop Sentamu to back UK's Brexit power grab on Holyrood' (March 22, 2018). 2. 'Lord [spiritual, Rt Rev, Julian Henderson, Bishop of Blackburn] suggests England should get a vote in 2023 Scottish independence referendum' (June 23, 2022). Another interesting point that Iain K provides is that the Church of England, until as late as 1870, was wary of providing schools for poor children as there was fear that an educated public could 'destabilise the establishment'. The reason I grew up in an Episcopalian family was because my late father, who was Aberdeenshire Liberal before joining with me to vote SNP with me on my first election in the 70s, commenced his education in 1920 at an Episcopal mission school in Peterhead. It was called the Chapel School. James M Aberdeen IT was certainly encouraging to read your article 'Government invests £85m to expand Hospital at Home service' (Jul 10), especially as the First Minister announced this investment while on a visit to Falkirk. However, why did I have to go to page 19 before I read such an important announcement, which ultimately impacts on us all, whether we have cause to use the wonderful services of our NHS or just assured that the service is there for us, free at the point of need? Catriona C Clark Falkirk WHY does Westminster make such a habit of looking at problems from the wrong end? Surely the right place to start looking for savings in the recent shambolic welfare pantomime is where the problems originate, within the management of the system? I saw figures from research some time ago which revealed that only 1% of payments made were fraudulent, but 7% were due to errors made by the department. Whether any of this is due to inefficient or too-complex systems, training of staff, understaffing or human error, it must be possible to reform the system, make it speedy and efficient, make it quick and easy to identify and reclaim any overpayments, and avoid most of them in the first place. Would this not save more than is proposed to be taken from the sick and disabled? P Davidson Falkirk YOUR leader of July 12 covers criticism of BBC Scotland for giving a prime slot to the 'small boats' story. Fair enough, but this never-ending immigration has (a) economic (b) demographic and (c) security repercussions here. READ MORE: BBC slated for pushing small boat crossings as top Scottish story To (a): Scots taxpayers have to stump up for accommodation and other costs; to (b): our population is now in overshoot due to increasing immigration by English folk, some of whom have moved from towns in which they no longer feel at home; and to (c): the security implications of the Channel being a barn door are huge. If I wished to avenge Gaza, I'd be smuggling in my people carrying phials of biotoxins, dirty bombs, etc etc, to be used anywhere in the UK (remember Glasgow Airport?). George Morton Rosyth
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Royal Knights prepared to face the future
Jun. 12—ROYAL CITY — The Royal High School Class of 2025 can face anything together, Class President Aaliyah Guerrero told them at graduation Friday. "It seems like just yesterday we were all playing during recess," she said. "Some of us were on the monkey bars, others played on the big tires, and then we had the ankle-biters who spent their recess on the red dots. I might have been one of those ankle-biters. But during it all ... we learned to be more than just friends. We learned how to be present when it matters. Each of us faced battles that no one else fought. But here we are, not because we conquered classes, but because we showed up." The graduation ceremonies at Royal High School began with a senior parade. Students, friends and family gathered in the high school parking lot and, accompanied by fire and police sirens, took one last loop through town in vehicles festooned with banners, flags and streamers. Then the students assembled on the football field as their families watched from the stands. Many of the 112 students who graduated Friday were the first in their families to finish school, and more are the first to pursue post-secondary education. Principal Courtney McCoy began the commencement ceremony by asking those students to stand and be recognized. Besides Guerrero, class Treasurer Jade Flores Ayala addressed her peers. "We won't always know what's coming next," she said. "But if high school has taught us anything, it's that we can overcome any challenges and accomplish great things. So, let's carry this spirit with us. Follow your dreams, keep learning, because the world needs our voice, our creativity and our courage." Student speaker David De La Rosa Jr. thanked the teachers and parents who had guided the class along. "You cheered us on, kept us going and believed in us when we didn't always believe in ourselves," he said. "Your love, patience and support gave us the foundation we needed to grow." The guest speaker, chosen by the students, was English and Language Arts teacher Ausencio Delgado. "Look at this crowd of caps and gowns, grinning like you just pulled off the ultimate senior prank," Delgado said. "Four years ago, you walked in nervous, maybe a little scared, but definitely excited. Now here you are, terrified, anxious and ready for a new adventure ... Courage isn't the absence of fear. It's wrestling fear to the ground. It's launching yourself into the air, trusting you'll land on your feet. It's showing up even when you might stumble. Go forth and make your mark, Royal Knights," Delgado concluded. "We believe in you. I believe in you."
The Herald Scotland
12-06-2025
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
New Edinburgh public gardens project lands £2.85m donation
Work on the £8.4m landscaping project is due to get underway within the next few months as part of plans to create a £69m National Centre for Music at the former Royal High School, one of the city's most prominent historic landmarks, by 2027. Read more: The £2.8m donation is the second major funding boost for the project in the space of six months after it secured a £5m pledge from the National Lottery Heritage Fund. Most of the backing for the new cultural centre, which will have three indoor performance spaces, has pledged by an American arts philanthropist, Carol Colburn Grigor, through her Dunard Fund charity. The proposed grounds of the National Centre for Music in Edinburgh. (Image: Tom Stuart-Smith Studio) It was announced last year that award-winning landscape architect Tom Stuart-Smith was masterminding what is planned to become the most significant new green spaces in the heart of the Scottish capital since the creation of Princes Street Gardens in the 1820s. The Royal High School Preservation Trust, the charity pursuing the project, which will include a new indoor concert hall in the heart of the building, has pledged that the new gardens will be open to the public every day and free to access. The grounds of the new National Centre for Music in Edinburgh are planned to be open to the public throughout the year. (Image: Tom Stuart-Smith Studio) The Julia Rausing Trust, which was created in 2014, became one of the UK's biggest philanthropic funds. Although Ms Rising passed away last year, her husband Hans has pledged that it will continue in her memory and will be distributing around £100m a year. The trust will be supporting the east garden at the Calton Hill site, which will feature more than 200 varieties of flowering trees, flowers and grasses. The pavilion in the east garden will host horticultural and environmental talks, and showcase 'the story of Scotland's rich and diverse fauna.' The new National Centre for Music is expected to open in 2027. (Image: Richard Murphy Architects) Simon Fourmy, director of the Julia Rausing Trust, said: 'The transformation of the former Royal High School in Edinburgh into a new National Centre for Music is a remarkable project and it is exciting to see a new public garden created as part of this initiative. 'Supporting heritage for the benefit of all was an important part of Julia Rausing's giving and together with her interest in horticulture and love of gardens, make this a fitting project to support as part of her continuing legacy.' Tom Stuart-Smith said: 'The overall design of these gardens aims to highlight the extraordinary architectural setting of not only the building but also Edinburgh, creating a tranquil retreat accessible for everyone and recognised as an outstanding destination in the city centre.' Kate Smith, development director at the Royal High School Preservation Trust, said: 'The gardens will be an extremely important feature of the new National Centre for Music. 'They will have health and wellbeing at their heart and create an urban oasis for the whole community to enjoy. 'The old Royal High School building is one of the most important neoclassical buildings in Scotland and the gardens will form the perfect frame for the exciting new musical hub planned for the building.'
Scotsman
07-06-2025
- Health
- Scotsman
Scotsman Obituaries: Professor Allan Langlands, Scottish oncologist who made a big impact in Australia
Professor Allan Ogilvie Langlands AM, cancer treatment pioneer. Born: 1 August, 1931 in Edinburgh. Died: 28 March 2025 in Coffs Harbour, New South Wales, Australia, aged 93 Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... When Edinburgh-born Allan Langlands was overlooked for promotion in Scotland it was Australia's gain – he headed Down Under where he played a key role in changing the face of oncology. A towering figure in the field of cancer treatment, he became the first Clinical Professor of Radiation Oncology in Australasia and an internationally renowned pioneer, teacher and mentor. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Known for his short fuse and dry humour, his trademark phrase during tutorials – 'So far, no marks' – was not so much a criticism as an exhortation to inspire students to expand their ability and think more profoundly. Allan Langlands revolutionised oncology in Australia A swathe of tributes from former students, now successful clinicians, stands testimony to his impact on their learning. Before his birth his parents lived in the United States but his grandfather insisted they return to Scotland to ensure their son was born here, where they remained. Academically brilliant, he attended Edinburgh's Royal High School, going on to Edinburgh University medical school where he graduated with a BSc in physiology in 1953 and MB ChB in 1956, gaining the Gold Medal for his graduating class. He trained as a junior doctor in Edinburgh's teaching hospitals and was called up for National Service in 1958, serving as a captain in the Royal Army Medical Corps stationed at the British Military Hospital in Singapore, where he met his future wife, Helen. They married in 1961 and had two children. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Deciding to specialise in what was then known as radiotherapy, now clinical oncology, he held a research fellowship at the Medical Research Council Clinical Effects of Radiation Research Unit at Edinburgh's Western General Hospital where he was appointed consultant radiation oncologist in 1969. He was responsible for the care of breast cancer patients in the Edinburgh clinics and of those with soft tissue and bone tumours across the region, as well some benign diseases. Gradually he took on the director, Professor Robert McWhirter's, clinical services and applied for his chair when his superior retired. Disappointment at being overlooked for the role was a key factor in his decision to move to Australia. In 1978 he was appointed director of radiation oncology at the new Westmead Hospital in Sydney, New South Wales, a move described as a transformative moment for Australian oncology. There he rose to the challenge of creating an entirely new and world-class radiation oncology department. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad As the University of Sydney's first Clinical Professor of Radiation Oncology in Australasia, he developed a training and research environment that became a blueprint for others to follow. When he retired in 1997 it comprised a team of more than 70. Already a Fellow of the Royal College of Radiologists in the UK and of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh for his contribution to patient care, he was also a Fellow of the then Royal Australasian College of Radiologists, now the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists (FRANZCR) and became the college's Chief Censor (examiner), a post he held for many years. His focus remained on breast cancer and his concept of setting up joint multi-disciplinary clinics paved the way for integrated cancer care models. He led numerous studies, advocated breast conservation rather than radical mastectomy and helped to develop the first Australian guidelines for breast cancer management. In a personal retrospective published in The Breast, he looked back on the changes in the field over his career, from cobalt machines to conformal therapy. His influence spread far and wide, through more than 200 papers and the sharing of his expertise – he consulted internationally, including Papua New Guinea – and was recognised with numerous awards. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad He received the Gold Medal from the Royal Australasian College of Radiologists in 1996 and the following year was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for his service to medicine, particularly in the field of radiation oncology and its application to breast cancer treatment. Then in 2000 he received the Cancer Council NSW Award for Professional Excellence. A gifted teacher and clinical diagnostician, he was admired for his wisdom, compassion, humanity and humility but also affectionately remembered for his irascibility and inclination to suffer no fools – a teddy bear with a growl and no bite, it was said. A proud Scot and proud Australian – he held dual citizenship – he arrived at his retiral dinner by boat, sailing down the Parramatta River to Sydney's Circular Quay with two pipers playing for his many former trainees who turned up for the celebration. At his funeral, the pipes were out again to accompany him into the chapel. Predeceased by his wife, Allan Langlands is survived by their children Gillian and Colin and grandchildren Patricia and Kirk. Obituaries
