Gallery eyes Royal Observatory move as revamp plan unveiled

Two of Edinburgh's most historic buildings are to get a new lease of life under ambitious plans unveiled today.

The old city observatory on Calton Hill - which has a Greek influenced design that contributed to Edinburgh getting the moniker the "Athens of the North" - is to become a year-round arts venue under a new vision that would see it become open to the public on a permanent basis for the first time.

Visual arts group The Collective Gallery plans to run a programme of exhibitions and arts projects at the historic William Playfair-designed building if the city council agrees to plans for it to relocate from its existing base on Cockburn Street.

And council chiefs also unveiled plans to press ahead with a 600,000 revamp of the historic Acheson House and adjoining Huntly House on the Royal Mile in a scheme that will include an expansion of the Museum of Edinburgh, a new audiovisual display telling the Capital's story, a new shop and cafe, upgraded toilets, a cloakroom and a community garden.

It is hoped that the revamp - funded by the council and a range of other bodies - will help introduce the museum's historic collection to new audiences, and create a new museums hub on the High Street.

Councillors are to be asked to agree to a feasibility study on the Collective Gallery's relocation to the city observatory at a meeting next week. It is estimated that it could bring several thousands of extra visitors to Calton Hill every month.

Councillor Deidre Brock, the city's culture and leisure leader, said: "The regeneration of Calton Hill has grown arms and legs in recent years. It is a win-win situation because it will enable Collective to have an even more prominent base, while allowing those that go up there and admire the views to have even more to do."

The Gallery is currently based in the B-lised former offices of The Scotsman newspaper on Cockburn Street but the council is in the process of selling the building to a family that will turn it into an aparthotel.

The group held a two-week exhibition at the old city observatory last summer and attracted 4000 people to the building. It is hoped that the permanent relocation can be completed by the end of this year and that its new use can help support emerging Scottish and international artists.

Kate Gray, director of the Collective Gallery, said: "Calton Hill's joint histories of stargazing and intellectual endeavour make it an inspiring location for the public to access the work of our most forward-thinking contemporary artists."

It is hoped that the plans for the extension of the Museum of Edinburgh will help secure the future of the 16th century Huntly House that it is based within, as well as the neighbouring 17th century Acheson House, which has been closed to the public for 25 years.

Cllr Brock said: "This is an important collection of buildings that some would argue have been neglected so we are really glad to be starting to bring them back to life."

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