Edinburgh, 2 Rillbank Crescent

NT 25775 72441–NT 25875 72412 A Level 1 and 2 historic building survey were carried out of the former Royal Hospital for Sick Children, and its associated structures, which include the Mortuary Chapel (NT 25850 72368); the Pharmacy Store (NT 25875 72322); 1–9 Rillbank Terrace (NT 25839 72407); 14–18

Rillbank Terrace, (NT 25839 72407); 1–3 Rillbank Crescent (NT

25775 72441); and 11–20 Millerfield Place (NT 25875 72412). The work took place on 19–28 April 2021.

The Royal Hospital for Sick Children was built between 1892–1895 to designs by architect George Washington Browne in a Jacobean style with two ward pavilions and prominent Dutch gables. It replaced the former Trades Maidens Hospital, a former villa conversion called Rill Bank, which was constructed in the late 18th century. Soon after it was built, a Mortuary Chapel was constructed to the NE side of the hospital, originally a single- storey building which was later heightened in c1931 to create a post-mortem suite and laboratory. Into the early 20th century, the adjacent tenements at Rillbank Terrace (built in the early 1860s) were occupied by the hospital, first as Nurse’s Accommodation and then as additional departments and services. The hospital expanded to the W and a new Outpatients Department was built in 1908–1914 at Sylvan Place. More expansions occurred during the mid-late 20th century, although this was eclipsed by the insertion of the ‘New Wing’ and Casualty Department constructed in the 1990s. This removed four tenements at Rillbank Terrace and all the buildings to the immediate W and SW of the hospital complex. Prior to the hospital moving to a new site at Little France in 2021, it occupied its main complex of buildings as well as all the tenements at Nos 1–9 and 14–18 Rillbank Terrace, 1–3 Rillbank Crescent and 11–21 Millerfield Place.

Much of the original interior features, fixtures, and fittings of

the main hospital building have been removed or covered by later furnishings, many of which were executed in the 1990s. The main entrance has kept much of its original character, and a stairwell between the ground and second floor levels has been retained, although compromised by the addition of a lift shaft to its centre. It was also originally one of a pair of staircases to either side of the lecture theatre to the N side of the building; the western stair has been long since removed to accommodate a more modern stairwell added to the N elevation. The tenements at Rillbank Terrace, Rillbank Crescent, and Millerfield Place have retained a lot of their original character and layout, albeit with later partitions and some extensions. This includes decorative cornicing, ceiling roses, and timber panelling to the windows. Most of the fireplaces that have survived have been removed and boarded over with a timber surround and mantel. However, some intact fireplaces have survived, most with glazed tiling to the splay.

Archive: NRHE (intended)

Funder: Downing Property Services

Diana Sproat and Robert Usher – AOC Archaeology Group

(Source: DES Vol 22)