The Royal High School or New Parliament House is an impressive neo-classical, government building built into the side of Calton Hill.
When the school moved out of the building to a new location in 1968, it was proposed as a site for the Scottish parliament.
The current site at Holyrood was chosen instead, but the Old Royal High School building has fulfilled various functions including a debating chamber for Scottish MPs (members of the Scottish Grand Committee) and workspace for Edinburgh City Council employees.
Many suggestions have been advanced for the use of the building, including a hotel and Scottish National Photography Centre. In 2021, the Council accepted an application to develop the site into a National School of Music and home for St Mary’s Music School.
In 2022, it is the location of the annual Hidden Door Festival.