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University life

From Teviot to King's Buildings

black and white photograph of a jazz band playing in a crowded room

The University and the City of Edinburgh were undergoing momentous changes during Robert’s time as a student. He arrived in the late 1950s to a University with one foot stuck in the past and one looking to the future. The Student Union at Teviot Row House only allowed women as visitors (which didn’t change until 1971), but the Medical School was one of the foremost schools of sanctuary for Black South Africans who no longer could train at home due to apartheid.

King’s Buildings Common Room

Creator Robert Blomfield
Date 1957
Place of creation University of Edinburgh King’s Buildings
Credit / Usage information © Robert Blomfield Photography

Student Union, Suez Crisis unfolding

Creator Robert Blomfield
Date 1956
Place of creation University of Edinburgh Student Union
Credit / Usage information © Robert Blomfield Photography

Music and dance

  • Title: Jazz Band, Old Quad Common Room
    Creator Robert Blomfield
    Date 1957
    Place of creation University of Edinburgh Old Quad Common Room
    Credit / Usage information © Robert Blomfield Photography

  • Title: Student Union, Saturday Night Dance
    Creator Robert Blomfield
    Date 1961
    Place of creation University of Edinburgh Student Union
    Credit / Usage information © Robert Blomfield Photography

Student Union, Teviot Row House

Creator Robert Blomfield
Date 1961
Place of creation University of Edinburgh Student Union
Credit / Usage information © Robert Blomfield Photography

Two medical students

Creator Robert Blomfield
Date 1957
Place of creation Edinburgh
Credit / Usage information © Robert Blomfield Photography

Waiting for Prince Philip (Chancellor of the University)

Creator Robert Blomfield
Date 1958
Place of creation Edinburgh
Credit / Usage information © Robert Blomfield Photography

University sport

Robert was an avid hill-climber and mountaineer and never participated in organised sports, however he did capture some of the sporting life at the University. He loved getting close to the action and waiting for a dramatic moment to present itself.

  • Title: Robert on Arthur’s Seat
    Creator Robert Blomfield
    Date 1957
    Place of creation Arthur's Seat, Edinburgh
    Credit / Usage information © Robert Blomfield Photography

  • Title: First Year Medics v. Dentists and Vets
    Creator Robert Blomfield
    Date 1957
    Place of creation University of Edinburgh
    Credit / Usage information © Robert Blomfield Photography

  • Title: University Steeplechase
    Creator Robert Blomfield
    Date 1958
    Place of creation Edinburgh
    Credit / Usage information © Robert Blomfield Photography

  • Title: Union Canal, coxed rowing boat
    Creator Robert Blomfield
    Date 1961
    Place of creation Union Canal, Edinburgh
    Credit / Usage information © Robert Blomfield Photography

University Charities Week

From 1932 until 2006, the Students’ Representative Council (now the Edinburgh University Students’ Association) hosted Charities Week, a way to centralise the individual charity fundraising initiatives across the University. Now known as RAG (Raising and Giving) Week, events such as parades, torchlight processions, dances and theatrical reviews all take place in order to raise funds for EUSA charitable giving.

University Charities Queen

Creator Robert Blomfield
Date 1958
Place of creation Edinburgh
Credit / Usage information © Robert Blomfield Photography

Student torchlight procession, University Charities Week

Creator Robert Blomfield
Date 1959
Place of creation Edinburgh
Credit / Usage information © Robert Blomfield Photography

University Charities Week Parade

Creator Robert Blomfield
Date 1957
Place of creation Edinburgh
Credit / Usage information © Robert Blomfield Photography

Rectorial battles

The University Rector is elected every three years by the students of the University to chair the University Court. On election day, student supporters of the principal candidates for Rector would ‘battle’ for the steps at the end of Old College Quad, throwing flour and peas at each other. The Principal would then announce the winner and the new Rector would be ‘chaired’ around the University before giving a series of addresses to Court and the student body.

Click the arrows to explore this tradition.

Student battle, Rectorial Election

Creator Robert Blomfield
Date 1960
Place of creation University of Edinburgh Old College Quad
Credit / Usage information © Robert Blomfield Photography

Student battle, Rectorial Election

Creator Robert Blomfield
Date 1960
Place of creation University of Edinburgh Old College Quad
Credit / Usage information © Robert Blomfield Photography

Student battle, Rectorial Election

Creator Robert Blomfield
Date 1957
Place of creation University of Edinburgh Old College Quad
Credit / Usage information © Robert Blomfield Photography

Bristo Square, Chairing the Rector (Jo Grimond)

Creator Robert Blomfield
Date 1961
Place of creation University of Edinburgh Bristo Square
Credit / Usage information © Robert Blomfield Photography

McEwan Hall, Rectorial Address

Creator Robert Blomfield
Date 1961
Place of creation University of Edinburgh McEwan Hall
Credit / Usage information © Robert Blomfield Photography