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.
21. Hospital shop
The Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh Volunteers opened a non-profit shop in the hospital in September 1987. | TSPL Photo: Bill Newton
22. VIP visit
Veteran Sottish Labour politician Peggy Herbison at the Royal Infirmary in May 1970 to present prizes to Florence Nightingale nurses. Also in the picture Miss Cullan, right, superintendent, and Miss Muriel Shinie, left, principal nurse tutor. | TSPL Photo: Stan Warburton
23. Infra-red therapy
A patient receives infra-red therapy at Edinburgh Royal Infirmary, February 1970. | TSPL Photo: Hamish Campbell
24. Liver transplant team
Professor David Carter, seated, with the liver transplant team at Edinburgh Infirmary, November 1992. | TSPL Photo: Denis Straughan