James Buchanan of Moray Place

'The Buchanan Institution was subsequently opened in 1859. As Buchanan intended to extend ‘the hand of charity to the helpless of every sect and denomination’, religious instruction in the institution was unsectarian in nature. Buchanan laid out a specific curriculum: pupils were to reside with parents (although could reside within the school if required) and were provided with breakfast, lunch and supper. They were instructed in reading, writing & arithmetic, navigation, gymnastics, tailoring, shoemaking and carpentry to make them fit for the navy, army, and merchant marine or as emigrants to the colonies. The school was specifically aimed at the urban poor. Children were only admitted if they were destitute (i.e. their father dead or had deserted the family). On admission, the typical child was aged eight, and stayed for around four years. The average annual cost per boy was £5 10s, which would normally have been out with the reach of the urban poor. Buchanan’s Institution proved a major success and over 1600 boys were admitted in the establishment’s first fourteen years.'

James Buchanan left some £30,000 in his will towards the foundation of the Buchanan Institution.