Hidden gem to honour one of Edinburgh's great minds

Riddle's Court was once used as a location for a royal banquet, a home of the philosopher David Hume and the site of the first of Sir Patrick's celebrated summer schools.

Dating to 1590, its condition has deteriorated and it has been under the shadow of a possible sell-off by the city council, which is responsible for its maintenance. It is home to offices and meeting rooms.

However, the authority has struck a deal with the Scottish Historic Buildings Trust (SHBT) to take over a long lease over the property - hidden behind an archway on the Lawnmarket section of the Royal Mile - and spearhead its full restoration.

It will become a major teaching and learning centre for the city, operating under the principles promoted by Sir Patrick in late 19th-century Edinburgh, and reviving the kind of summer schools he held there.

Conferences and seminars will be held in meeting rooms which still boast centuries-old painted ceilings and architectural features. Overnight accommodation will be created for visiting academics, while a museum of Geddes memorabilia will be created.

Una Richards, director of the SHBT, said: "Although Sir Patrick Geddes was such a well-known planner and educationalist, there is actually nowhere in the city you can go to find out about his life and work."

Although no funding is in place for the revamp, the council and the conservation trust are hopeful the project will win the backing of both the Heritage Lottery Fund and Historic Scotland.

Although born in Ballater, Deeside, Geddes made his name as a town planner in Edinburgh and led efforts to restore the fortunes of the Old Town in the late 19th century, including creating Ramsay Garden near Edinburgh Castle, as well as designing Edinburgh Zoo. He was one of the first people to highlight the importance of light and air in homes.

He launched summer schools, starting at Riddle's Court, to explain how the arts and sciences could be applied to town planning and improving living conditions. Adult learning classes have been held in the building since the 1960s.A tale of vengeful pupils and royal banquets

Riddle's Court dates to 1590, when it was built by the merchant and teacher John McMorran, who was thought to be one of Edinburgh's richest men.

McMorran met an unlikely end five years later when he was shot by a pupil after a row over holidays.

In 1598, Riddle's Court hosted a banquet to honour the wedding of King James VI and Queen Anne of Denmark.

In 1751, the philosopher David Hume moved into the building.

Patrick Geddes hosted his first summer school in the building in 1887.