Turner & Townsend has been appointed by the Royal High School Preservation Trust as project manager and contract administrator for the conversion of Edinburgh's historic Old Royal High School into the new National Centre for Music.

The project will see the comprehensive restoration of the Grade A listed neoclassical masterpiece on Calton Hill. Designed by architect Thomas Hamilton and completed in 1829, the building has remained largely vacant since 1968. Previous attempts to repurpose the site—including a 1970s plan to house the Scottish Parliament—failed to materialise, but this new cultural vision aims to safeguard the building's future.

The redevelopment, which follows the recent appointment of Robertson Construction as the main contractor for the £47 million works, will feature a 300-seat main performance hall alongside two 100-capacity intimate venues. Once complete, the site will serve as a national hub for music education, rehearsal, and public performance.

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Turner & Townsend's role is set to run from 2025 through to 2028, ensuring the complex heritage requirements and conservation standards are met throughout the construction phase.

Mark Bruce, Heritage and Conservation Lead, Scotland at Turner & Townsend, commented: "This is an extraordinary opportunity to help re-purpose and safeguard one of Edinburgh's most significant heritage assets while creating a space that will inspire future generations of musicians. Our team brings deep expertise in conservation and heritage projects and we're proud to play a leading role in delivering a sustainable and culturally transformative outcome for Scotland."

Kate Smith, Chief Executive at the Royal High School Preservation Trust, welcomed the appointment: "We're delighted to appoint Turner & Townsend to our team for this important project which will save and reactivate the former Royal High School, one of Scotland's most vulnerable historic buildings, into a stunning home for the National Centre for Music."

The National Centre for Music is expected to open its doors to the public in early summer 2028.