Literature House to tell tale of city’s prose history
Edinburgh’s Old Town has l ong i nspired some of t he world’s greatest writers, from Sir Walter Scott to JK Rowling and even Ian Rankin.
Now plans are afoot to recognise that love affair by transforming John Knox House on the Royal Mile into a ‘ Literature House for Scotland’.
The trust also wants to develop the neighbouring Scottish Storytelling Centre as part of ambitions to enhance the literary quarter around the Netherbow on the Royal Mile.
Calls have been made for designers and architects to j oin t he team dedicated to r e d e v e l o p i n g Jo h n K n o x House to celebrate Scotland’s literary history and ‘ reinvigorate’ the area.
Alison B owden, director of t he Edi nburgh Unesco City of Literature Trust, said: “We’re excited and pleased to be entering this next stage in our long- term cultural development plan for John Knox House and the Scottish Storytelling Centre. We’re looking for a really excellent and inspiring design team to work with, and people who understand how special the location is and how important these buildings are to Edinburgh.”
Hopeful creatives are being asked to enter a competitive tender process to work with the trust to create the Literature House.
Ms Bowden said once the team had been finalised, their priority would be to present detailed ideas for the future of the building and the Scottish Storytelling Centre next year.
The aim is to encourage people to engage with and learn more about the history of Scottish literature and storytelling.
Ms Bowden said: “Working together with the Church of Scotland, which owns both buildings, the City of Edinburgh Council, Traditional Arts and Culture Scotland, and the local community, our hope is that we will transform the way Scotland understands its literary story by reinvigorating this magnificent and historic building, and giving it new purpose as Scotland’s first Literature House.”
Ruth Plowden, the Chair of Edinburgh Unesco City of Literature Trust, said: “The creation of Scotland’s first Literature House is a bold and fitting development for the world’s first Unesco Cit y of Literature. Our hope is that this new space will provide a home for our literary story, be a catalyst to develop the wider area, and offer a year- round welcome to everyone in the city.”
Councillors across Edinburgh have also shared their support for the project.