Riddle’s Court is one of the most important historic buildings in Edinburgh’s Old Town. Courtesy Edinburgh World Heritage Trust

Riddle’s Court, one of the most important, but least understood historic buildings in Edinburgh’s Old Town, is set to reveal its secrets through a new research project.

The project, called a conservation statement, has been funded by Edinburgh World Heritage and will look into the history of the 16th century building as the first stage in a project to find it a new sustainable use.

The earliest parts of Riddle’s Court date back to around 1590, with some additions and developments in the 18th and 19th centuries. In 1598, the house was used to host a magnificent state banquet attended by King James VI and in 1751, the famous eighteenth century philosopher David Hume took up residence.

But the ways in which the fabric of the building has changed over the centuries has remained a mystery and conservators and historians are excited at the prospect of exploring it further.

“Riddle’s Court is a really important historic survival at the heart of the World Heritage Site,” said Fiona MacDonald, Conservation Architect for Edinburgh World Heritage. “We know about some of the past residents, but we don’t know exactly how the building has changed over time.”

“Back in the 1960s for example, some council workmen uncovered some spectacular painted panels by the Scottish landscape artist, James Norie. Who knows what else lies hidden in the building’s nooks and crannies.”

The earliest parts of Riddle’s Court date back to around 1590, with some additions and developments in the 18th and 19th centuries. Courtesy Edinburgh World Heritage Trust

The project is being led by the building preservation charity Cockburn Conservation Trust and will research the history of Riddle’s Court, assess the significance of what survives and set out conservation policies to help find an appropriate use for the building.

One of the options is to use it for educational purposes – the building is currently used by voluntary adult education provider Workers Educational Association (WEA) as their head office and some of the lecture rooms are used for adult education.

“Our recent historical research project on Riddle’s Court highlighted important connections to Scottish Education throughout the centuries,” said WEA Scottish Secretary, Joyce Connon. “We would like to see the building used as a centre for learning which celebrates our heritage, involves people in its interpretation and presentation, particularly focussing on the great Scottish thinkers associated with Riddle’s Court.”

For more information on Edinburgh World Heritage see www.ewht.org.uk.