£500,000 Grant from the Wolfson Foundation to Support Creation of the New National Centre for Music

The Royal High School Preservation Trust (RHSPT) is delighted to announce a £500,000 grant from the Wolfson Foundation to support the redevelopment of Edinburgh’s former Royal High School on Calton Hill.

This major 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, NCM 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.   

RHSPT places a strong focus on engaging communities and opening opportunities for people to connect with Scotland’s music and cultural heritage. 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.

The Wolfson Foundation is an independent UK-based charity with a focus on research and education, supporting projects in science, health, heritage, humanities and the arts. This grant reflects the Foundation’s commitment to support the conservation and interpretation of the UK’s most important historic buildings, and projects that deliver higher quality facilities for education and training. RHSPT’s vision for NCM aligns closely with these aims – creating a hub where creative and educational activity can flourish, where public access is expanded, and where Scotland’s musical traditions are nurtured and celebrated.

The Wolfson Foundation grant will support a treasured landmark to be preserved and reimagined as a cultural and educational resource for future generations.