Since 2004 Out of the Blue’s headquarters has been the Out of the Blue Drill Hall, a building of considerable historical and cultural significance to the Leith community.
The Drill Hall was built in 1901 for the Royal Scots Regiment, designed by the renowned architect Sir Rowand Anderson, who also designed the National Portrait Gallery on Queen Street and the McEwan Hall at Edinburgh University. Following Out of the Blue’s 2015 ‘Gretna 100’ project, which marked the centenary of the Gretna rail tragedy and its impact on the Leith community, the Out of the Blue Drill Hall was regraded from ‘B’ to ‘A’ listed. You can find out more about the ‘Gretna 100’ project here.
Careful, sustainable restoration and regeneration have transformed this former military building into participatory and inclusive art and cultural centre, with multiple artists’ studios, rehearsal, workshop and classes, performance, and exhibition spaces. The Drill Hall also has a well-reviewed cafe which is ‘the beating heart’ of the building and Leith.
Guided Tours
The Out of the Blue team will be running free guided tours on the hour from 11am until 1pm. There will be sign-up sheets available at the main entrance to the venue from 10am. Each tour will last around 30 minuts and will include a guided tour of the building as well visits to some of our artists in their studios. Details of working artists and makers taking part will be announced shortly.
Tour 1: 11am
Tour 2: 12noon
Tour 3: 1pm
Please arrive at least 10 mins before the start of the tour you’d like to go on to enter your details in the sign-up sheets.
The monthly Flea Market will also be taking place in the Main Hall and the Drill Hall Cafe will be open serving teas, coffees and delicious hot and cold snacks.
Where possible we will update our listings to notify of cancelled, postponed and rescheduled events, however we STRONGLY ADVISE that you check with the venue/organiser in the first instance for updates.
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