Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh

 History of Medicine  No Responses »
Mar 242017
 

9 Queen Street, Edinburgh EH2 1JQ

Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh.

Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh.

The Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh was established by Royal Charter in 1681. Its 21 founding members included such notable figures as Sir Robert Sibbald, Andrew Balfour, Thomas Burnet, Alexander Stevenson and Archibald Pitcairn. Then as now, it was responsible for the training and certification of physicians. Originally based in Fountain Close on the Cowgate, after a period occupying a variety of other premises the RCPE moved to its current purpose-built premises in Queen Street after its completion in 1846.

No public access without prior arrangement.

Robert Sibbald (1641–1722).

Robert Sibbald (1641–1722).

 

Edinburgh Physic Garden

 History of Medicine, History of Science  No Responses »
Mar 082016
 

Site of Edinburgh physic gardenPlatform 11, Waverley Station, Edinburgh EH1 1BB

From 1675 to 1763 the Edinburgh Physic Garden was near what is now platform 11 of Waverley Station. At the time it was close to the shores of a small lake, the Nor’ Loch. The site is now marked with a blue plaque. The garden had originally been established at Holyrood in 1670 by Sir Robert Sibbald and Sir Andrew Balfour, founder members of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh. They were inspired to found it by similar gardens they had seen in France. It existed to provide medicinal plants and to teach botany to medical students.

 

Physic Garden commemorative plaque, Waverley Station

Plaque commemorating the site of Edinburgh’s physic garden, opposite platform 11, Waverley Station.

Find out more