Donaldson’s College building should not be converted into luxury flats where rich people can enjoy it and it should not be used for the wealthy people's benefits. James Donaldson said it should be used for people's needs and we should honour his wishes because he made the trust deed so that the building was not allowed to be sold for any other purpose. We must reclaim it back for the use of communities where people can benefit from. We ask the Scottish Government to buy it and they can use it for their political activities too. The building can share facilities such as residential education courses, Deaf education for deaf children, special residential accommodation for people who need it for various reasons, art gallery, meetings for business, charitable organisations, large public meetings, political activities services and so on. It has large areas where people can car park or use the ground for various activities.  So many opportunities for communities, including the deaf community.

Donaldson’s College, formerly Donaldson’s Hospital, was named after its benefactor, James Donaldson, who bequeathed his property to build and found a hospital for children. Queen Victoria was jealous and she offered to buy it but he refused! Originally an orphan hospital, the building became a specialist school for deaf children until 2008, when the school moved to a purpose-built campus in Linlithgow.

It left the building because it got cash flow issues so, it cannot afford to maintain or repair the building. The housing development corporation bought the building, so the deaf school can move to a smaller building. It is very sad for the deaf community and James Donaldson because it represents a big part of the Deaf history.  It also broke James' trust deed and it was not for this purpose to be sold and to profit from. However, the housing development corporation wants to coverts it into flats and they would be worth millions of pounds and  this impressive property would turn into one of the most desirable residential addresses in Scotland, if not the UK.  Residents around the building objected and the housing development failed to proceed. It left empty for 6 or 7 years but now it is now set to be re-developed after a deal was struck between owners and an award-winning restoration. Source: http://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/news/plans-for-luxury-flats-at-donaldson-s-school-1-3592015