Holyrood lessons must save school

Published on Tuesday 29 November 2005 11:56

THOSE with long enough memories will recall that it didn't take very long after the "yes, yes!" ecstasy of 1997's devolution referendum result for reality to start biting. And, as has been underlined in recent days, one of the main casualties looks like being the old Royal High School.

It had long been assumed that this beautiful building would be the home for the new Scottish Parliament.

Indeed, in the late 1970s, the former district council had already paid for it to be converted into a parliamentary chamber. It seemed a sensible enough choice, with its central location and close proximity to the civil service mandarins at St Andrew's House.

But Donald Dewar - who apparently feared it could become a "Nationalist shibboleth" - dismissed the site in favour of the old Scottish & Newcastle brewery at Holyrood.

The rest, as they say, is histrionics over the massive budget overspends required to pay for Dewar's chosen vision, designed by Enric Miralles.

Setting aside misgivings about the cost, which went more than ten times over its original budget, it was perhaps understandable that Dewar wanted a new building for the parliament. But it is deeply unfortunate that it has become so tarnished by the debacle over its construction that it has become a symbol for all that devolution was not supposed to be about.

For me, the old Royal High School remains a more powerful symbol of the Scots' struggle for some degree of self-determination and autonomy. Whatever your political persuasions, it is a hugely important building in our political and social history. Its architectural merits alone justify that the building is protected.

So why is this building now at real risk of falling into ruin? Ask Jack McConnell, who is humming and hawing over contributing 12 million from the Executive so plans to develop the Scottish National Photography Centre at the site can win lottery funding.

The deadline is December 13, but with just over a fortnight to go, the FM had better make his mind up fast.

So what might the problem be? When the project not only has the support of the city council, a host of MSPs, Sir Sean Connery, National Galleries director Sir Timothy Clifford and heritage watchdogs, what possible, reasonable objection could the First Minister have?

Sources say that he "likes the idea" of the photography centre, but he's worried about the money. It is, I suppose, faintly reassuring that Mr McConnell is being careful with our pennies, but considering the amount of money that has been spent on Holyrood, even 12m seems like small change.

COULD the real reason be that the Labour Party has some residual distaste towards paying to preserve a building with SNP connotations?

Certainly the old Royal High was a focus for the SNP supporters and others who campaigned for home rule. But the campaign for devolution ultimately became a cross-party effort.

This building is far too important to be left to rot, and we cannot let it become yet another Edinburgh disgrace.

Enjoy the limelight, nice guys . . it won't last

IN the past couple of years, practically every pop band from my youth has decided to reunite, and now it's the turn of Take That.

I have fond memories of the five lads, not least because my first full-time job was writing for Jackie magazine, and they were one of the first bands I interviewed.

Somewhere I still have a - personally signed!! - poster promoting their first single, Do What You Like, with the bare-chested lads all wearing leather codpieces. Er, nice.

But it was clear that not all the members of Take That were created equal. It is no coincidence that the only two with any real musical talent are the ones who really don't need this reunion.

Robbie Williams has long since moved on, while Gary Barlow's songwriting has given him a bank balance reported to be 20 million.

It's the other three who need this tour. Nice though they were, Jason, Howard and little Mark just don't have the talent or charisma for solo showbiz careers.

They should enjoy their brief return to the limelight, because one thing is certain - they're not back for good.

Pitch performance will be Best remembered

IN the past few days, I've actually found myself wishing I was a couple of years older.

Then perhaps my first visit to Easter Road wouldn't have been in 1983, but in 1979 or 1980, during George Best's brief time with Hibs.

Like many of my generation, I only knew of him for his drinking or womanising exploits and not his footballing prowess.

Having recently watched clips of George excelling on the pitch, I wish I'd been able to see him play.