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FP ARCHIVES

Delving into the Heriot’s archives is akin to opening a treasure trove of
historical golden nuggets. The archives house some wonderful artefacts
that both inform and inspire. In this edition of Quadrangle, we share some
of our findings with you from years gone by.
If you have any photos or memorabilia you would like to share with us,
please get in touch at development@george-heriots.com
1597 Royal Warrant
This is the 1597 Royal Warrant appointing George Heriot as Goldsmith to Queen Anne. The
Pre-1800s medals
warrant is written on velum and stored in a glass frame - professionally speaking a ‘please Heriot's in porcelain
Summer trips 1930s style Before the Dux medal was introduced in 1855, don’t do that’. By the look of the velum it was also folded at some point in the past and has
medals were presented to the: metal clips holding sections together. The writing is now badly faded and I’m not sure if this Callander Park Museum houses a wonderful
Pupils sailed from Leith Harbour on the
S.S. Neuralia bound for a cruise of "most meritorious of youths who completed is simply due to age and/or if it was put on a wall somewhere as the frame suggests. Light is plate of George Heriot’s School, made
Scandinavia and the Baltic in July 1932. their education in that institution". the enemy of all print; light damage is sadly irreversible. around the 1840s. An excellent piece of
The warrant is written in Old Scots: craftmanship of our wonderful school.
This example is
from 1830. “James be the grace of god king of Scottis To all and sindrie our lieges and subjectis quhome Thank you to Ron Dingwall (1967) for
it effeiris quhose knowledge…privie Seill at Dunfermling the Sevintene day of July The year sending these images.
of god Im vc fourscore sevintene yeiris and of oure reigne the thirttie 3tio”.
School magazines It is granted to George Heriot ‘younger goldsmith burges of our burgh of Edinburgh’
You know the Herioter and (George Heriot senior was also a goldsmith).
Quadrangle but the Heriot’s The royal seal is in great condition and as James was still ‘just’ King of Scotland, you’ll notice
archive also houses a few that the royal seal is unicorns only, no lion.
‘unofficial’ school magazines. Enquiries are being made to send the warrant for conservation as soon as possible so that it
These examples are from hopefully lasts another 400 years. For the time being, it is being kept in the frame, in the dark
1850 and 1913. to avoid any further degradation.
Carolyn Sharp, George Heriot’s Archivist

Tales from Heriot's
podcast
During the summer break, William
Ringham (2020) researched and recorded
the first four episodes in our new podcast
series, Tales from Heriot's (title in italics),
which will feature aspects of the school's
history. These early episodes, carefully
crafted by Will, focus on:
• George Heriot: His Life and Legacy
• 1628-1659: The Construction and
Christmas C
ds f
om the 40s
r
ar
Christmas Cards from the 40s Capture
• The 1700’s: Trials and Tribulations
A 1944 Christmas card from FP John Adair. John attended Heriots from 1925-1930.
1801 View of Princes Street • The 1800’s: The Good Old Days
He is noted in the school’s Roll of Honour as one of the former pupils who served in WWII as:
Pictured above are early 19th century maps of Edinburgh, showing Thank you to Will Ringham for his efforts.
Adair, John W., W.O. II (R.Q.M.S.) R.A.C.
(Regimental quartermaster sergeant with the Royal Armoured Corp) the lands and feus owned by George Heriot’s Hospital School.