Room at the top

I don't know if it's true that the little cap-house on top of St Leonards Hall was built as a reminder of the type of house that the family had originally come from. It was built in1869 for the publisher Thomas Nelson who, with his brother who lived close by in Salisbury Green House, owned the nearby Parkside Printing Works. During the 1914-18 war the house was used as a Red Cross Hospital and later it was bought by Donald Pollock. St Leonards was used by St Trinneans School and a visit to his niece at the school inspired Ronald Searle to draw the St Trinians cartoons. The house is now used as administrative offices with function rooms by Edinburgh University.
Yesterday I wrote about the $250,000 gold shirt. Sir Donald Pollock donated £250,000 to Edinburgh University in 1936 which was a considerable amount nearly 80 years ago and worth millions now. By the time he died in 1962 he had given away vast amounts including St Leonards Hall, mainly to the university. The house and surrounding land were donated for development as student residences and are now known as Pollock Halls. Unlike the man of yesterday, Donald Pollock had given his wealth away to benefit thousands not only in the past but also for the future. Pollock Halls has attractive grounds and is in a beautiful location close to Arthur's Seat where on nice days students can be seen walking, playing or even studying on the grassy slopes.