The Banking Hall at Dundas

I came through to Edinburgh at lunchtime as we are going to see Jessie Ware at the Queen's Hall this evening.

I spent the afternoon wandering around Calton Hill, before the rain started. I then made my way over to the Scottish National Portrait Gallery.

On the way to the Portrait Gallery I passed Dundas Mansions. Looking more like a large house than a bank Head Office, the Royal Bank of Scotland building on St Andrew Square was designed by Sir William Chambers in 1771. The early plans for the Georgian New Town of Edinburgh placed a church on this site to face the one in Charlotte Square, at the other end of George Streeet. But Sir Laurence Dundas got there first and built himself a mansion.

As you can see the inside of the banking hall is absolutely magnificent, with it's blue painted dome and the gold, star shaped windows letting in the light. The ceiling is featured as part of the design on all the RBS banknotes. What a clever idea.

Having a coffee in the Portrait Gallery, before meeting up with my wife at Waverley Station.