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 launched a second round of funding in late 2024 and invited 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 has been open to:
- local history or heritage groups and organisations
- schools and colleges, and
- independent researchers, postgraduate students and early career researchers.
We sought applications with the potential for lasting benefits. In both rounds to date we have provided for project awards (up to £3,500) and individual research awards (up to £500).
We work with each awardee to support project publicity and dissemination.
Projects awarded grants in 2025
We announced our second set of Jean Guild Grant awards at our lecture on 19 March 2025.
Further details will be added when they become available.
Masons & Medieval Stones: Morningside Heritage Association
Research into the use of medieval stone fragments by 19th century masons in Morningside.
Piershill Barracks: Northfield and Willowbrae Community Council
Interpretation board to raise awareness of the history of Piershill Barracks.
Capital Brewing: Scottish Brewing Association Archive
Research and publication detailing the histories of the 40-odd breweries known to have operated in Edinburgh.
John Watson’s Institution: Signet Library
Project to conserve and enable access to records about orphans applying to John Watson’s Institution, 1820s to 1850s.
Veterans Housing Scotland: Centenary
Archival and oral history research with publication celebrating 100 and more years of innovative provision for armed services veterans at risk of homelessness.
Research awarded grants in 2025
Book borrowing surgeons: Kit Baston
Transcription of the book borrowing records of Edinburgh surgeons in the eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries, to be added to the Books and Borrowing database and website.
Slavery abolition: French and French Caribbean connections: Lisa Williams
Research reviewing international and interethnic influences on the slavery abolition movement in Edinburgh in the early 19th century, in particular connections with France and the French Caribbean.
Projects awarded grants in 2023
We announced our first Jean Guild Grant awards at our AGM on 20 September 2023 at the City Chambers.
Follow the links below for more information about each award.
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.
The South Bridge, its History and its People: 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).
