Sir Patrick Geddes was a man who’s pioneering work in education, conservation, town planning and social science has shaped how we view our environment, and our place in it, across the world.

Thanks to players of the National Lottery, the Patrick Geddes Centre has opened in one of the most important buildings, both historically and architecturally, in the Old Town of Edinburgh – Riddle’s Court. It will provide community, conference and event space as well as developing an extensive international learning and conservation programme following Geddes’s motto, ‘By living we learn’.

Riddle’s Court is one of the earliest surviving courtyard houses in Edinburgh. Over the centuries the building has hosted merchants, Kings, paupers, philosophers, educators and most recently actors, such as Stephen Fry and Maggie Smith, as a Fringe Festival venue.

[quote=Sir Patrick Geddes]“Good teaching begins neither with knowledge or discipline, but through delight.” [/quote]

Featuring many beautiful decorated ceilings and interiors, nine years of careful restoration and interpretation has brought these spaces back to their former glory. The connection with learning and Patrick Geddes dates to the late 1800s when he founded one of the first university halls at Riddle’s Court. His motto can still be seen chiselled about an archway.

Sir Patrick Geddes is also known for saying: “Good teaching begins neither with knowledge or discipline, but through delight.” 

Dame Seona Reid, Chair of HLF’s Scotland Committee, said: “A remarkable 400 years of Edinburgh’s history are encapsulated in the walls of this beautiful medieval building. Thanks to funding from the National Lottery, it has been restored with its features revealed and its social history preserved. Now, reflecting the principles of Sir Patrick Geddes, it will be a vibrant centre of learning for visitors from near and far to explore and enjoy.”

Una Richards, Director of SHBT, said:“It is exciting to bring such an important building back to life and find relevant and sustainable new uses for it that will benefit the people of Edinburgh and learners worldwide for many years to come.”