Basic Site Details

Building Type Classification

The building is classified under the following categories:
	Classification	Original classification?	Notes
	Observatory

Street Addresses

The following street addresses are associated with this building:
	Address	Main entrance?	Notes
	Calton Hill	Yes

Events

The following date-based events are associated with this building:
	From	To	Event type	Notes
	1813		Plans drawn up	Plans by Stark.
	1818		Build/construction	Original building.
	1825		Build/construction	Boundary wall and Playfair Monument.
	1895	1898		Repairs and alterations
	1984 *		Proposed	The site is chosen as the focus for events to celebtrate the 150th anniversary of the RIBA by the Edinburgh Architect's Association. The proposals include setting up a camera lucida with film cameras within the observatory between June and September. Edinburgh City Council agreed to contribute £47,000 to the project, with £3000 being provided in 1983 for camera and TV equipment.

* earliest date known from documented sources.

People

Design and Construction

The following individuals or organisations have carried out design/construction work. Where architects or practices worked together, matching letters appear beside their names in the Partnership Group column.
	Name	Role	Partnership Group	From	To	Notes
	William Stark		C	Before 1813		Drew up designs for Observatory. Lord Elgin remarks on Stark's 'beautiful designs for an Observatory on Calton Hill'. It may have influenced Playfair's executed design.
	William Henry Playfair		A	1818		Original building. Also boundary wall and Playfair Monument.
	William Henry Playfair		B	1825		Boudary wall and Playfair Monument.
	Robert Morham			1895	1898	Interior overhauled
	John Lamb Paterson			1983	1984	Commissioned by the Edinburgh Architect's Association for the proposed Camera Lucida project to the City Dome in 1984 for the RIBA's 150th anniversary celebrations.

References

Bibliographic References

The following books contain references to this building:
	Author(s)	Date	Title	Part	Publisher	Notes
	Colvin, Howard	2008	A Biographical Dictionary of British Architects 1600-1840		London: YUP. 4th edition
	Gifford, John, McWilliam, Colin and Walker, David M	1984	Edinburgh (The Buildings of Scotland)		Harmondsworth: Penguin Books Ltd	p436

Archive References

The following archives hold material relating to this building:
	Source	Archive name	Source catalogue no.	Notes
	Edinburgh University Library	Plans	45
	Historic Environment Scotland	Listed Buildings Register	27603
	National Library of Scotland	Manuscript Collection	MS 578, f.163	Letter of 24 October 1813 written by Lord Elgin.
	Personal Post-War Archive (held at ECA)	Miles Glendinning		Edin Misc Articles, Post 1975, non-hsg The Calton Conference, 5th November 1983 "The Calton Conference; National Shrine, City Park and Outstanding Vantage Point: Does Edinburgh Make the Most of this National Asset?" Opening remarks by the Lord Provost of Edinburgh, Rt. Hon. Tom Morgan, C.B.E. first page.