14 June 2013
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Tron Kirk to become Edinburgh World Heritage visitor centre
Tron Kirk, a landmark building on Edinburgh's Royal Mile, is to be transformed into a visitor centre to highlight Edinburgh's history and heritage. ...
Tron Kirk to become Edinburgh World Heritage visitor centre Images
Tron Kirk, a landmark building on Edinburgh's Royal Mile, is to be transformed into a visitor centre to highlight Edinburgh's history and heritage.
Edinburgh World Heritage (EWH) has announced that the kirk, which was built in 1641 and was deconsecrated in 1952, will become a visitor centre 'telling the story of Scotland's World Heritage sites'. The City of Edinburgh Council recently approved a plan to grant EWH a lease on the Tron Kirk after a consultation on the future of the Royal Mile identified the kirk as being a concern of local residents and businesses.
Willy Roe, chair of EWH said: 'As a category A listed building at risk at the heart of the World Heritage Site, the Tron Kirk is a natural priority for us, and finding it a sustainable use is key to its future. The restoration of the building offers Edinburgh a unique opportunity to create an accessible and sustainable centre, from which to tell the fascinating stories of the Old and New Towns, and provide learning about our globally recognised World Heritage Sites.
I would like to thank council officers for their help and support, and look forward to working with them and other partners in the development of the project. This initiative will draw on the considerable expertise of Edinburgh World Heritage in conserving historic buildings, interpreting the city's heritage and fundraising for restoration projects. Needless to say this will require a very large fundraising effort, but we are confident that people will see the value of the scheme. If granted the lease we intend to develop funding applications to bring the scheme to reality. The Tron Kirk is one of Edinburgh's architectural treasures, and our plan is to see it brought back to life for the good of the city.'
Tron Kirk timeline
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Read about the history of the city of Edinburgh in the July/August issue of History Scotland, available now.
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Edinburgh World Heritage (EWH) has announced that the kirk, which was built in 1641 and was deconsecrated in 1952, will become a visitor centre 'telling the story of Scotland's World Heritage sites'. The City of Edinburgh Council recently approved a plan to grant EWH a lease on the Tron Kirk after a consultation on the future of the Royal Mile identified the kirk as being a concern of local residents and businesses.
Willy Roe, chair of EWH said: 'As a category A listed building at risk at the heart of the World Heritage Site, the Tron Kirk is a natural priority for us, and finding it a sustainable use is key to its future. The restoration of the building offers Edinburgh a unique opportunity to create an accessible and sustainable centre, from which to tell the fascinating stories of the Old and New Towns, and provide learning about our globally recognised World Heritage Sites.
I would like to thank council officers for their help and support, and look forward to working with them and other partners in the development of the project. This initiative will draw on the considerable expertise of Edinburgh World Heritage in conserving historic buildings, interpreting the city's heritage and fundraising for restoration projects. Needless to say this will require a very large fundraising effort, but we are confident that people will see the value of the scheme. If granted the lease we intend to develop funding applications to bring the scheme to reality. The Tron Kirk is one of Edinburgh's architectural treasures, and our plan is to see it brought back to life for the good of the city.'
Tron Kirk timeline
- 1637 - Foundation stone of the Tron Kirk laid
- 1641 - Tron Kirk dedicated to Christ by the citizens of Edinburgh
- 1824 - Fire destroys the kirk's steeple
- 1830-1840 - General Assembly of the Church of Scotland held at the kirk
- 1952 - Kirk closed for worship
Read about the history of the city of Edinburgh in the July/August issue of History Scotland, available now.
Sign up now for our FREE e-newsletter for more news stories, sneak previews, exclusive content and special offers.
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