Lower level, Reading room, view from South Digital image of C 44290 Cn.

Description Lower level, Reading room, view from South Digital image of C 44290 Cn.

Date 23/10/1994

Collection Records of the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland (RCAHMS), Edinbu

Catalogue Number SC 721004

Category On-line Digital Images

Copy of C 44290 CN

Scope and Content Lower level of reading room from south, National Library of Scotland, No 57 George IV Bridge, Edinburgh The National Library of Scotland was designed by architect Reginald Fairlie (1883-1952) between 1934 and 1936, and built 1937-9 (initial construction period). It was completed 1950-5 with A R Conlon as architect. This Neo-Classical library is nine storeys high, with two storeys on George IV Bridge, and the remaining seven below the bridge on the Cowgate. This shows the reading room with its long, sage green leather-topped desks, and chairs with elegant curving backs. The walls are panelled with varnished timber. A gallery above provides extra space for study and is protected by a smoked glass barrier and rail. The ceiling is coffered (divided into recessed panels) and has dome-shaped roof lights. This building is constructed from concrete on a steel frame. Its façade is faced in cream sandstone and decorated by sculptured figures and roundels. The interior features engraved glass and fine woodwork. The grandeur of the upper, public levels contrasts with the practical, unadorned appearance of the storage areas below. This building has been selected as one of Scotland's key 20th-century Modern architectural monuments. Source: RCAHMS contribution to SCRAN.

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/collection/721004

File Format (TIF) Tagged Image File Format bitmap