McEwan Hall

McEwan Hall and Bristo Square, Edinburgh
©2011 Gazetteer for Scotland

Located in Bristo Square, adjacent to the University of Edinburgh's Medical School, the McEwan Hall was built by Sir Robert Rowand Anderson between 1888 and 1897 in Italian Renaissance style. Originally planned as part of the University's new Medical School (completed some 10 years earlier), but the government at the time refused to fund a graduation hall which they considered frivolous. Thus the University turned to William McEwan, the brewer, who contributed the money necessary (£115,000) to create this ostentatious building.

McEwan specified lavish decoration, by the artist William Palin, which includes panels depicting the academic disciplines, the virtues and even included himself presenting the hall. The decoration took more than three years to complete.

The Hall is used for graduations, concerts, public lectures and examinations by the University.

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