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Edinburgh & The Lothians
Edinburgh Albums CIC is a social enterprise working with local creatives and volunteers to co-create cultural souvenirs and experiences that connect visitors and residents with Edinburgh’s stories. Responsible tourism guides our approach, from celebrating local heritage and involving communities in product development to sharing the benefits with local children and creatives.
Our first product, Edinburgh Animal Trail, is a self-guided activity pack for families with children aged six and over. It invites families to discover the city through 16 animal sculptures and carvings, combining history, art and storytelling with playful activities. With a map, illustrated cards, stickers and an Edinburgh Passport, alongside multilingual audio accessed through QR codes, families can explore at their own pace and continue the adventure at home.
The trail is designed for visiting families and local children alike. For every ten boxes sold, we donate one to a local school. With support from the City of Edinburgh Council, we are also developing a schools programme for 300 local pupils, helping children explore and connect with their city.
We welcome opportunities to collaborate with visitor attractions, retailers, hotels and community organisations to develop engaging cultural experiences that benefit both visitors and the communities who welcome them.
The Royal High School on Calton Hill became part of Edinburgh’s landscape in 1829. Designed by Thomas Hamilton, it stood proudly as a physical link between the city’s Old Town and New Town. Today it is both an exceptional example of the neo-classical architecture for which Edinburgh is famous and a testament to the importance that Scotland has long placed on access to excellence in education. Sustaining its historic significance as a symbol of Scotland’s commitment to recognising and supporting the talents of its people, regardless of wealth or privilege is as important as respecting the building’s architectural quality.
The Royal High School Preservation Trust was established to protect and preserve the building and to deliver a public use for it. Our overall architectural objective is to allow Hamilton’s building and its setting against Calton Hill to be seen as originally intended. At the same time, with the desire to leave a new cultural legacy equal to and as long-lasting as the city’s fathers’ original purpose 250 years ago, we plan to repurpose this magnificent building as a National Centre for Music.