Edinburgh city centre to get new major public gardens for first time in two centuries as plans unveiled

The first designs of an £8m project to bring a new public gardens to Edinburgh city centre for the first time in two centuries have been revealed.

As part of plans to turn the former Royal High School on Calton Hill into a new National Centre for Music, the new gardens will overlook Arthur’s Seat, Salisbury Crags, Holyrood Palace and Edinburgh Castle.

Designed in collaboration between award-winning landscape architect Tom Stuart-Smith OBE, and Edinburgh based landscape architects OPEN, the area will provide the first major city centre public garden since Princes Street Gardens opened more than 200 years ago in 1820.

The East and West gardens will be open to the public every day and free to access, and are expected to host regular performances and events – particularly during the city’s summer festivals season.

The project is a collaboration between award-winning landscape architect Tom Stuart-Smith OBE, and Edinburgh based landscape architects OPEN. framecreates via Supplied

Split into two with local materials and native plants, each space will offer its own unique “oasis of calm” away from Edinburgh’s busy city centre.

The West Garden has been designed to fit with the wild landscapes that complement its location at the foot of Calton Hill.

It will feature native trees like Scots Pine, Birch and Rowan and other plants native to the region.

By contrast, the East Garden will be designed as an extensive flower garden and feature a large pergola along the Belvedere wall, one of the original features of the Royal High School building.

Tom Stuart-Smith, who has previously overseen eight award-winning gardens at RHS Chelsea Flower Show, plus a host of acclaimed gardens across the globe including RHS Bridgewater and the Queen’s Jubilee Garden at Windsor Castle, said the garden will be “innovative and harmonious with its historic surroundings.”

He said: “Edinburgh’s unique blend of urban architecture and dramatic landscape puts it in a league with cities like Athens and San Francisco. Our design aims to highlight this extraordinary setting while creating a tranquil retreat within the bustling city.

“The West and East gardens, though distinct in character, work in harmony to complement each other and the stunning architecture of the Royal High School building.

“This site is truly exceptional – the views are spectacular, and the landscape is unparalleled. It’s a rare opportunity for a landscape designer to work on such site, and I’m confident that our plans will resonate with Edinburgh’s residents and visitors alike.”

The gardens will be the first new public garden space in Edinburgh city centre for two centuries. Supplied

Grant MacKenzie, executive director of the Royal High School Preservation Trust said: “Making the most of the outdoor space at the Royal High School building is a key part of our vision and we’re delighted to be unveiling our plans.

“These gardens will be the first new public garden space in Edinburgh city centre for centuries and they will become an area for everyone to enjoy. We want it to be a place for everyone to have access to and enjoy, and where better to take in such unrivalled views of the city than in a calming, tranquil garden environment.”

The project, which is expected to cost around £8.4m, will begin in 2025.