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.
5. Bird's eye view
Aerial photograph of Edinburgh Royal Infirmary in August 1979. | TSPL Photo: Stan Warburton
6. Reception desk
A doctor and nurse at the Coronory Care Unit reception desk in the Royal Infirmary Edinburgh in January 1973. | TSPL Photo: Denis Straughan
7. 'Get well soon'
Someone added a "Get well soon" message to the no-entry sign at the west gate pedestrian access to the Royal Infirmary in 2002 | TSPL Photo: Esme Allen
8. At the gates
Gates of Edinburgh Royal Infirmary, November 1993. | TSPL Photo: Denis Straughan