The old Donaldson’s Hospital building in the West End, Edinburgh. MINI 5 Pro HDR.

The old deaf school in Edinburgh is the historic Donaldson’s Hospital building in the West End (West Coates), a palatial Jacobethan-style structure designed by architect William Henry Playfair. Foundation: Funded by the bequest of printer and businessman James Donaldson, who died in 1830.Opening: Built between 1842 and 1851 and officially opened by Queen Victoria in 1850. The queen was famously so impressed by the grand architecture that she reportedly joked she should exchange it for the Palace of Holyroodhouse.Deaf Education: It began admitting deaf children shortly after opening, eventually operating exclusively for deaf pupils from 1938 after amalgamating with the Royal Institution for the Deaf and Dumb.