Opening of McEwan Hall, 1897

McEwan Hall, the graduating hall of the University of Edinburgh, designed by Sir Robert Rowand Anderson (1834-1921), was opened in 1897.

Until the end of the 19th century, Edinburgh University had no discrete hall for graduation or other university ceremonies. Before the Universities (Scotland) Act 1858, the number of students graduating was small, and graduations could easily be held in one of the University's classrooms. The passing of the act, however, saw a huge increase both in the size of the student populace and in the percentage of students actually graduationg. The University was increasingly forced to hire external venues like Assembly Hall. This was clearly unsatisfactory, and in 1874 the University sought funding for a graduation hall which was incorporated into Sir Robert Rowand Anderson's plan for a new Medical School. A public appeal raised £82,000 and an application was made to the Government for the rest of the money. The Government voted the University £80,000 but on condition that the the graduation hall be dropped from the plan.

Further attempts to raise public money for a graduation hall it was only due to the munificence of brewer and politician William McEwan (1827-1913) that the University was finally provided with a graduation hall. William McEwan of the Edinburgh Brewing family, offered to fund the building work if the University would find money for the designated site at Park Street. The sum needed was £12,000 but the University was unable to find this amount. A University deputation went to London to ask the Government to include this sum in the Parliamentary estimates for the year. The Treasury finally offered £8,000 in two instalments in Mar 1887, and William McEwan provided the other £4,000. In June 1888 the University announced that the building would be name in honour of McEwan.

The exterior of the was completed in 1894. A further three years works were required to complete the interiors which features murals by William M. Palin (1862-1947).

The interior, finished in 1897, is built in Italian Renaissance style, and features mural decorations from the hand of William Palin. The central piece of art is a large painted work known as "The Temple of Fame" depicting a great number of philosophers and students. The McEwan Hall organ was built in 1897 by Robert Hope-Jones, and has been rebuilt and modified on various occasions afterwards.

Once the new medical buildings were nearing completion, there was still no Academic Hall in existence as the University had run out of money. In 1886 one of the University Buildings Extension Committee put forward the money for the purpose of obtaining an Act of Parliament so that the University could acquire the site for a new academic hall at Park Street. The compulsory powers required were obtained, but they had a limited time frame and the University needed to find money to fund the hall. William McEwan of the Edinburgh Brewing family, offered to fund the building work if the University would find money for the site in 1886.

The sum needed was £12,000 but the University was unable to find this amount. A University deputation went to London to ask the Government to include this sum in the Parliamentary estimates for the year. The Treasury finally offered £8,000 in two instalments in Mar 1887, and William McEwan provided the other £4,000. In June 1888 it was revealed that the new building was to be called the McEwan Hall. Completion

The formal transfer of the New Buildings to the Senatus Academicus was passed by Resolution of the New Building Committee on 26 Oct 1888. The work of the Building Committee was now considered to be complete, with the McEwan Hall underway, although this was not completed and handed over to the University until 1897 .