Reviving the Trinity Stones Project, undertaken by Jill Harrison on behalf of the Trinity Network, seeks to create an accessible biography and photographic survey of the architectural fragments from the Trinity Collegiate Chapel of 1460, now dispersed throughout Edinburgh. The Chapel was built at the instigation of Mary of Guelders, wife of King James II. She ruled as Regent of Scotland following James’s death from 1460 until 1463. Acknowledged as an architectural gem, the most sophisticated and beautiful building in Edinburgh at the time, it was demolished in 1848, to make way for Platform 2 of Waverley Station. Embraced by some as necessary for progress, the stones of the church were numbered and dumped in a large heap near Calton Hill. There they remained for nearly 30 years while the Council dithered regarding what to do with them. During that time, the inevitable happened and Edinburgh citizens chose some of the most attractive stones to enhance their gardens and parks. By the time a decision to rebuild the Chapel was taken in its present location behind the Leonardo Hotel on Jeffrey Street, many fewer stones stones remained and only the Apse remains today.

Until Jill’s research project started, there was no comprehensive study of the Trinity Stones, which were quarried in the 15th century from the Bearford Quarry  which was situated North of the Nor’ Loch in Edinburgh.  The quarried sandstone was made into building materials for the Chapel along with it being carved by stonemasons into sophisticated and wonderful carved heads, humour faces, and of course, gothic window traceries. The key objective of documenting where they now remain or are hidden away throughout the city, is to raise public awareness of their unique history to new audiences, and protect them for the future.

The research also touches on the little-known 19th century debates that took place arising from the demolition of the Apse to make way for the station. According to Jill, these “descended into farce” as the Council and notable men such as Henry Cockburn, and Prince Albert took different standpoints.