Dundas Mansion (RBS Branch)
Sir William Chambers 1774; J Dick Peddie 1857
built to house Sir Laurence Dundas
Built axially to George Street, set back off St Andrew's Square, the Dundas Mansion forms the eastern end point to Edinburgh New Town's central vista.
Original New Town plans located a church here to mirror St George's Church (Charlotte Square) at the west end of George Street. Sir Laurence Dundas, however, commisioned Sir William Chambers (architect for Somerset House, London) to build a Palladian town house, completed in 1774. Dundas Mansion was converted to the Royal Bank of Scotland headquarters. The axial banking hall (Telling Room) by Dick Peddie (1857) has a blue painted dome complete with gold star-shaped coffers.
The Royal Bank of Scotland acquired Dundas Mansion - 36 St Andrew Square - in 1825 for use as their headquarters, and later extended to the rear of the building. Their current HQ is in the building just south of the Bank of Scotland and No. 36 is a branch office.
Next-door, to the south, is a beautiful branch of the Bank of Scotland, the former British Linen Bank, set on the street edge, by David Bryce.
To the north of Dundas Mansion is No.35:
building: photo © adrian welch sep 2006 with lumix camera
One of the oldest buildings in the New Town, being refurbished in 2006
To the north of this building is Harvey Nichols
Central to St Andrew Square is the Melville Monument atop which is the stone statue of Henry Dundas, Viscount Melville.
St Andrew Square : buildings
Register House
Old College
Edinburgh : back to index
The Royal Bank of Scotland HQ ceiling is featured on RBS banknotes. The equestrian statue in the Bank’s front garden is of John Hope, 4th Earl of Hopetoun with an inscription by Sir Walter Scott.
The Royal Bank of Scotland was set up by Royal Charter in 1727, unlike the older Bank of Scotland which was established by an Act of the Scottish Parliament (before the Act of Union) in 1695.
William Chambers
Royal Bank of Scotland : 42 St Andrew Square