Grants for research, records and bringing history to life
The OEC introduced the Jean Guild Grants in 2023 to help us fulfil our mission to promote research and interest in the history of Edinburgh and do this in new and imaginative ways. We have launched a second round of funding and invite proposals which involve one or more of the following activities:
- carrying out original research and sharing the findings
- making records more accessible and promoting their use
- pulling together existing research and knowledge to engage new audiences, or
- involving Edinburgh residents in history projects.
The programme is open to:
- local history or heritage groups and organisations
- schools and colleges, and
- independent researchers, postgraduate students and early career researchers.
We seek applications with the potential for lasting benefits. We have categories for project awards (up to £3,500) and individual research awards (up to £500).
Projects awarded grants in 2023
We announced our first Jean Guild Grant awards at our AGM on 20 September 2023 at the City Chambers.
We work with each awardee to support project publicity and dissemination.
Follow the links below for more information about each award. Details will be posted as and when they become available.
Eachdraidh na Gàildhlig ann an Dùn Èideann (Gaelic in Edinburgh – A History): James Gillespie’s High School
A school project involving archival research on how Gaelic features in Edinburgh history, as in place names and in the experiences and contributions of Gaelic speakers.
Reviving the Trinity Stones: Trinity Network
What happened to the stones set aside for rebuilding the medieval royal Trinity collegiate church, dismantled to make way for Waverley Station? Not all were used in rebuilding the church in Leith Wynd. This project seeks to map and illustrate what became of them.
Old Edinburgh Reborn: Northlight Productions
Northlight Productions: Visiting 1700s Edinburgh through virtual photography
Project developing photorealistic images of the Parliament Square and the High Street around 1700.
Researchers awarded grants in 2023
Linen Weavers in Edinburgh: Jenny Bruce
Under-researched topic on what was once a very, very significant industry. Research involves developing teaching models for use in schools.
Port Hopetoun, the Union Canal Basin: Graeme Cruickshank
Research drawing together what is known about Port Hopetoun, the basis at the terminus of Union Canal between Falkirk and Edinburgh.
Table Tennis in Edinburgh: Charlie Ellis
Project to chart the history of table tennis in Edinburgh and find a home for archival material. Rich in 20th century social history.
History of the South Bridge: Naomi Wells
Research into the design and construction of South Bridge as an early palace-fronted development and purpose-built shopping street
Miss Jean Ritchie Guild
The grants are named after our benefactor, Jean Guild, a long-standing member of the OEC. She joined the staff of the University of Edinburgh Library in 1948 and played a significant role in the post-war development of the Library’s collections. She became Reference Librarian, well-respected for her skills and knowledge, especially in relation to the Faculty of Arts.
Later she was responsible for publicity, Library publications, visitor programmes, and the Library’s relationship with the wider community. She co-edited Edinburgh University Library, 1580-1980: a collection of historical essays (1982).
