Architecture Notes

Event ID 728667

Category Descriptive Accounts

Type Architecture Notes

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/728667

Now demolished.

The Merchant Maidens' Hospital was founded in 1694 and initially housed in the Company of Merchants' own halls in the Cowgate. The Hospital moved to Bristo Street in about 1706, to a site purchased by Mary Erskine. However, by the start of the 19th Century the governers were resolved on the contruction of a new hospital. Robert Reid, Richard Crichton and a Mr Harvey supplied plans for a hospital in Lothian Street, 1805 - 1812. This was never built; instead, in 1816, the new building in Lauriston was commissioned. The Merchant Maidens resided here from 1818 until 1870, when they removed (as the 'Edinburgh Educational Institution for Young Ladies') to Queen Street. (See Tovill, in Bibliography, for Merchant Maidens Hospital history).

From 1870 to 1933, the premises were occupied by George Watson's Boys College.

However, the site was purchased by the Royal Infirmary for its expansion plans, and the College moved to Colinton Road. Burn's building was demolished, and the Simpson Memorial Maternity Pavilion and Florence Nightingale Nurses' Home built in its place.

ARCHITECT: William Burn 1816

MacGibbon and Ross, alterations and additions

REFERENCE:

Newscutting, March 4th 1933, source unknown - photograph.

Missing at time of upgrade (10.12.1997).

(Undated) information in NMRS.