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:
One of the oldest buildings in the New Town, refurbished in 2006-07
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.
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Dundas Mansion Building : page - adrian welch / isabelle lomholt