An appeal has gone out from the Edinburgh International Book Festival for people to contribute memories of Edinburgh Royal Infirmary and its old home at Lauriston Place. They are planning a writing project, Words from the Wards, at this summer’s Book Festival because it is going to be based for the first time at the Royal Infirmary’s old site, which is now home to Edinburgh University’s Edinburgh Futures Institute.
Here are 29 fascinating photographs selected from the Evening News archives which may jog some memories of the hospital over the years, before it moved to its current site at Little France in 2003.
1. Victorian facade and clock tower
The Victorian facade and clock tower of the old Royal Infirmary building on Lauriston Place, Edinburgh ahead of the hospital's move to Little France. | TSPL Photo: Andrew Stuart
2. Ward 10
Ward 10 of the old Royal Infirmary, with Sister Lynn Reid in charge, in 2001 | TSPL Photo: Phil Wilkinson
3. Ambulances outside A&E
Ambulances outside the Royal Infirmary accident and emergency department in 2003 | TSPL Photo: Julie Bull
4. Nurses Home
The Forence Nightingale nurses home in the grounds of the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary in Lauriston Place, November 1989. | TSPL Photo: Bill Stout