New Teaching Building Topping Out Ceremony

A landmark phase has been reached in the construction of a new Vet School building for the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies.

Builders have now put in place the final structure of the £42 million Vet School building, which provide 11,500 square metres of floor space and accommodation for 1,200 staff and students.

To mark the progress in construction, a “topping out ceremony” was carried out today (Thursday, 24th September) when a fir branch was hung from the tallest point in the building to symbolise good luck.

The new Vet School building, which is being constructed by Balfour Beattie and due to be completed in 2011, will provide state of the art facilities for students.

It is sited next to the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies’ Hospital for Small Animals, enhancing clinical training among students, and will include two 200-seater lecture theatres fitted with multi-media technology, a library, restaurant, seminar rooms as well as teaching and research laboratories.

Professor Elaine Watson, head of the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies at the University of Edinburgh, said: “This marks a significant stage in the construction of new Vet School building, which when complete will further enhance our worldwide reputation for veterinary teaching and provide students with a learning environment second to none.”

The new Vet School forms part of a £100 million development on the Easter Bush site, which will also include a new research building.