The Banking Hall of Dundas Mansions

Just back from a busy afternoon and evening in Edinburgh for the See Us Exhibition and Book launch at the Creative Scotland offices. It was a great evening meeting other Blippers as we went round the exhibition. Excellent book that captures a year of creativity. Well done to everybody.

Before the preview we decided to take in The House of Annie Lennox at the Scottish National Portrait Gallery. Curated in partnership with the V&A, Annie Lennox presents a three decade-spanning review of her work as a performer, singer/songwriter, recording artist and political activist, taking in an array of photographs, videos and costumes. Well worth a visit.

On the way to the Portrait Gallery we 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. I had no idea that the ceiling is featured as part of the design on all the RBS banknotes. What a great idea.

Our evening was topped off with an excellent Italian dinner at Valvona & Crolla's VinCaffè Ristorante.