Architecture in detail: stairs
01/02/2016
Stairs: "a set of steps built between two floors inside a building".
This is the first in a series of galleries showcasing architectural details, in this case highlighting images of stairs, staircases, steps and escalators from the collections of Historic Environment Scotland (HES) to celebrate the Year of Innovation, Architecture and Design 2016.
The HES collections include a wealth of material illustrating and recording interiors and exteriors of all types of buildings across Scotland. They include historic prints and drawings as well as survey photographs from the past hundred years which create a fascinating architectural record.
The collections can be consulted in our Search Room and through a range of online resources. New images and information are added to Canmore every day through brand new surveys of Scotland's built heritage, as well as through an active digitisation programme of our unique negatives, prints and drawings.
SC 336158
Interior view of Banff tollbooth steeple staircase, vertical view from above.
© Crown Copyright: HES
SC 337906
Interior view of Rothesay town hall and sheriff court staircase, ground floor, view from south.
© RCAHMS
SC 752527
Interior view of staircase on ground floor at 25 Learmonth Terrace, Edinburgh, from south east
© Crown Copyright: HES
SC 1030799
Interior view of the lift and spiral stair in the entrance hall of Scottish Widows, St Andrew Square, Edinburgh.
© RCAHMS
SC 1057775
External view of the courtyard pool with mosaic at the foot of the stairs, British Embassy, Rome.
© RCAHMS
DP 027540
Interior view of the cast iron stair from 2nd level to lightroom, Todhead Lighthouse.
© RCAHMS
DP 027541
Interior view of the cantilevered stone stair in Todhead Lighthouse looking up to the lightroom.
© RCAHMS
DP 051343
Exterior view of west stairs leading to the North Bank enclosure at St Mirren Park football stadium.
© Crown Copyright: HES
DP 052665
Exterior view of Chapter-house stairs to dormitory at Balmerino Abbey.
© Crown Copyright: HES
DP 061979
Interior view looking up to main diving platforms and spiral access stair at the Royal Commonwealth Pool, Edinburgh.
© Crown Copyright: HES
DP 067227
Drawing of public stair, 20-36 North Bridge, The Scotsman Buildings, Edinburgh.
© Courtesy of HES (Dunn and Findlay Collection)
DP 090412
Interior view of main stair within the Foulis Building, Glasgow showing the top of the original stair and the 1990s extension.
© RCAHMS
DP 152090
Interior view of balustrade, tiling and bracketing within the stair hall at Primrose Street Public Baths, Alloa.
© RCAHMS
SC 1431076
View of wrought iron garden stair railing at Hallyburton House.
© Courtesy of HES (Thomas Hadden Collection)
DP 199640
Interior views of staircases and chimneypiece for William Burrell Esq, Burrell's House, 8 Great Western Terace, Glasgow. Four views showing foot of staircase, staircase from landing and chimneypiece in hall.
© Courtesy of HES (Lorimer and Matthew Collection)
DP 214248
Interior view of staircase, Canaan Lodge, Edinburgh.
© Courtesy of HES (Canaan Lodge Album)
SC 1505942
Interior view of town-house, ground floor, main stair hall and view of stair with statue of Queen Victoria at Aberdeen Municipal Buildings and Tolbooth.
© Crown Copyright: HES
SC 1505943
Interior view of town-house, ground floor and view of stair and statue of Queen Victoria from below at Aberdeen Municipal Buildings and Tolbooth.
© Crown Copyright: HES
SC 1505294
Interior view of stairwell from above, St Andrew's House, Edinburgh.
© Crown Copyright: HES
SC 346829
Drawing of 'The Musicians' Gallery, the School, New Lanark'. Half plan of gallery and stair with period characters. Titled: 'The Musician's Gallery, the School, New Lanark' 'Half-plan of gallery and stair' 'section' 'plan detail' 'section of building'.
© RCAHMS
SC 397132
Interior view of Falkland Palace 1st floor turret staircase and velvet panel, from west.
© RCAHMS
SC 408999
Main staircase hall of Taymouth Castle, Perthshire, view looking up from 1st floor landing to the north.
© Crown Copyright: HES
SC 458440
Interior view of steps to loft at Salmon Draught Cottage, Inveraray Castle Estate
© RCAHMS
SC 502556
View looking SSW up central staircase at Gleneagles Station.
© HES. Reproduced courtesy of J R Hume
SC 521267
Interior view showing detail of balustrade on staircase at 2 Ainslie Place, Edinburgh
© RCAHMS
SC 559061
Interior view of arcade and oak staircase in entrance hall at Minard Castle from south.
© RCAHMS
SC 716163
View of north entrance staircase in the council chamber corridor, Lanark County Buildings, Hamilton
© Crown Copyright: HES
SC 721008
View of main staircase on half landing at the National Library of Scotland, Edinburgh, from South East.
© Crown Copyright: HES
SC 721031
View of main staircase on ground floor at the National Library of Scotland, Edinburgh, from West.
© Crown Copyright: HES
SC 765866
Spiral servants' staircase, view looking down centre of spiral in Paxton House, Berwickshire.
© Crown Copyright: HES
SC 952722
Interior view of Newton Don House showing detail of balustrade in staircase hall
© Crown Copyright: HES (Scottish National Buildings Record)
DP 018377
Interior view of the main stair at the Royal Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh, prior to modern renovation and alterations.
© Crown Copyright: HES
DP 018416
Interior view of the spiral stair in the basement of the Royal Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh.
© Crown Copyright: HES
SC 1047874
Interior view of stairs at Thorn House, headquarters of Thorn Electrical Industries, Camden, London.
© RCAHMS
SC 1048486
External view of concrete steps and entrance door at Beaulieu, Hampshire, the holiday home of Sir Basil Spence.
© RCAHMS
SC 1057785
External view of the ceremonial stair in the courtyard of the British Embassy, Rome.
© RCAHMS
DP 026395
Interior view of the staircase and copper lamp at the Glasgow Art Club, 185 Bath Street, Glasgow.
© Crown Copyright: HES
DP 031272
Internal view of the ground floor entrance hall and staircase, Aberlour House, Moray.
© Crown Copyright: HES
DP 031685
Interior view of stairwell from the lower landing to main entrance hall, Fasque House.
© Crown Copyright: HES
DP 037067
Interior view of stairwell and cupola at No 31 Melville Street, Edinburgh.
© Crown Copyright: HES
DP 056368
Interior view of stairs leading to south blockhouse of Fort No. 3, Inchkeith, Firth of Forth.
© Crown Copyright: HES
DP 064237
Interior view of stairwell at Dundee Central Corps Salvation Army Hall, Dundee.
© Crown Copyright: HES
DP 064803
Interior view of entrance hall and staircase at Annick Lodge, Irvine.
© Crown Copyright: HES
DP 065837
Interior view looking down stairs, 43 Magdalen Yard Road, The Vine, Dundee.
© Crown Copyright: HES
DP 066607
Interior view of main staircase from top floor landing at Dargavel House, Bishopton.
© RCAHMS
DP 081855
Interior view showing detail of access stair to squash courts at George Watson's College, Edinburgh
© Crown Copyright: HES
DP 090481
Interior view of reception and main stair within Glasgow School of Art Student Union building.
© RCAHMS
DP 101304
Interior view of ground floor stair hall with detail of newel and balusters on staircase, Brough Lodge, Fetlar.
© RCAHMS
DP 101305
Interior view of ground stairs with detail of balusters on staircase, Brough Lodge, Fetlar.
© RCAHMS
DP 103664
Interior view from second floor of the Queen Mother library, Aberdeen showing original phase of building looking up the stairs towards 1970's and 80's extensions.
© Crown Copyright: HES
DP 109832
Detail of access ladder to Kiln No.1, Mayfield Brickworks. The style is reminiscent of omnibus tram stair tread design.
© RCAHMS
DP 145385
Interior view of stairs to Auditorium from Circle Bar at King's Theatre, Edinburgh
© RCAHMS
DP 148212
Interior view of main stair linking platform and concourse levels of Kelvinhall subway station, Glasgow.
© RCAHMS
DP 148250
View looking up the escalator tunnel linking Kelvinbridge subway station to Great Western Road, Glasgow.
© RCAHMS
DP 148266
Platform level view of tunnel openings flanking main stair leading to concourse of St George’s Cross subway station, Glasgow.
© RCAHMS
DP 172696
Interior view of staircase in the ground floor entrance hall at Craigie Hall, Rowan Road, Glasgow.
© RCAHMS
DP 195167
Exterior stair and fountain on south facade at Ravelston House, Edinburgh, view from south west.
© Crown Copyright: HES
DP 212738
Interior view of stairwell in the east hall at Sir John Maxwell Primary School, Glasgow.
© Crown Copyright: HES
DP 212921
Interior view of main stairwell at Tynecastle High School, Edinburgh.
© Crown Copyright: HES
DP 212924
Interior view of main stairwell and roof light at Tynecastle High School, Edinburgh.
© Crown Copyright: HES
DP 212926
Interior view of main stairwell and roof light at the first floor level, Tynecastle High School, Edinburgh.
© Crown Copyright: HES
SC 1498850
External view of north east corner of Cummins Engine factory, Shotts, comprising two steel-framed blocks (completed in 1980), and the end of a raised walkway (left) with emergency external spiral stair. The more distant block (right) was the receiving area.
© Crown Copyright: HES
SC 1500816
Interior view of west stair hall from east, Highland Church of Tolbooth St John's, Edinburgh.
© Crown Copyright: HES
DP 227860
Detail of main stair balustrade and newel post, Sheriff Court House, Dornoch.
© Historic Environment Scotland
SC 1505087
External view of platform 4 stair, Perth Railway Station. Detail of stair leading up to steel footbridge to Platform 3, built by Alex Findlay of Motherwell in 1893.
© Crown Copyright: HES
SC 336158
Interior view of Banff tollbooth steeple staircase, vertical view from above.
© Crown Copyright: HES
SC 337906
Interior view of Rothesay town hall and sheriff court staircase, ground floor, view from south.
© RCAHMS
SC 416687
View of cantilever stair on south tower at Old Malt barn, Lagavulin Distillery, Islay.
© RCAHMS
SC 724619
Detail of concrete access steps from first level at Heron House, 255 St Vincent Street, Glasgow
© RCAHMS
SC 752527
Interior view of staircase on ground floor at 25 Learmonth Terrace, Edinburgh, from south east
© Crown Copyright: HES
SC 1030799
Interior view of the lift and spiral stair in the entrance hall of Scottish Widows, St Andrew Square, Edinburgh.
© RCAHMS
SC 1057775
External view of the courtyard pool with mosaic at the foot of the stairs, British Embassy, Rome.
© RCAHMS
DP 027540
Interior view of the cast iron stair from 2nd level to lightroom, Todhead Lighthouse.
© RCAHMS
DP 027541
Interior view of the cantilevered stone stair in Todhead Lighthouse looking up to the lightroom.
© RCAHMS
DP 051343
Exterior view of west stairs leading to the North Bank enclosure at St Mirren Park football stadium.
© Crown Copyright: HES
DP 052665
Exterior view of Chapter-house stairs to dormitory at Balmerino Abbey.
© Crown Copyright: HES
DP 061979
Interior view looking up to main diving platforms and spiral access stair at the Royal Commonwealth Pool, Edinburgh.
© Crown Copyright: HES
DP 067227
Drawing of public stair, 20-36 North Bridge, The Scotsman Buildings, Edinburgh.
© Courtesy of HES (Dunn and Findlay Collection)
DP 090412
Interior view of main stair within the Foulis Building, Glasgow showing the top of the original stair and the 1990s extension.
© RCAHMS
DP 152090
Interior view of balustrade, tiling and bracketing within the stair hall at Primrose Street Public Baths, Alloa.
© RCAHMS
SC 1431076
View of wrought iron garden stair railing at Hallyburton House.
© Courtesy of HES (Thomas Hadden Collection)
DP 199640
Interior views of staircases and chimneypiece for William Burrell Esq, Burrell's House, 8 Great Western Terace, Glasgow. Four views showing foot of staircase, staircase from landing and chimneypiece in hall.
© Courtesy of HES (Lorimer and Matthew Collection)
DP 214248
Interior view of staircase, Canaan Lodge, Edinburgh.
© Courtesy of HES (Canaan Lodge Album)
SC 1505942
Interior view of town-house, ground floor, main stair hall and view of stair with statue of Queen Victoria at Aberdeen Municipal Buildings and Tolbooth.
© Crown Copyright: HES
SC 1505943
Interior view of town-house, ground floor and view of stair and statue of Queen Victoria from below at Aberdeen Municipal Buildings and Tolbooth.
© Crown Copyright: HES
SC 1505294
Interior view of stairwell from above, St Andrew's House, Edinburgh.
© Crown Copyright: HES
SC 346829
Drawing of 'The Musicians' Gallery, the School, New Lanark'. Half plan of gallery and stair with period characters. Titled: 'The Musician's Gallery, the School, New Lanark' 'Half-plan of gallery and stair' 'section' 'plan detail' 'section of building'.
© RCAHMS
SC 397132
Interior view of Falkland Palace 1st floor turret staircase and velvet panel, from west.
© RCAHMS
SC 408999
Main staircase hall of Taymouth Castle, Perthshire, view looking up from 1st floor landing to the north.
© Crown Copyright: HES
SC 458440
Interior view of steps to loft at Salmon Draught Cottage, Inveraray Castle Estate
© RCAHMS
SC 502556
View looking SSW up central staircase at Gleneagles Station.
© HES. Reproduced courtesy of J R Hume
SC 521267
Interior view showing detail of balustrade on staircase at 2 Ainslie Place, Edinburgh
© RCAHMS
SC 559061
Interior view of arcade and oak staircase in entrance hall at Minard Castle from south.
© RCAHMS
SC 716163
View of north entrance staircase in the council chamber corridor, Lanark County Buildings, Hamilton
© Crown Copyright: HES
SC 721008
View of main staircase on half landing at the National Library of Scotland, Edinburgh, from South East.
© Crown Copyright: HES
SC 721031
View of main staircase on ground floor at the National Library of Scotland, Edinburgh, from West.
© Crown Copyright: HES
SC 765866
Spiral servants' staircase, view looking down centre of spiral in Paxton House, Berwickshire.
© Crown Copyright: HES
SC 952722
Interior view of Newton Don House showing detail of balustrade in staircase hall
© Crown Copyright: HES (Scottish National Buildings Record)
DP 018377
Interior view of the main stair at the Royal Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh, prior to modern renovation and alterations.
© Crown Copyright: HES
DP 018416
Interior view of the spiral stair in the basement of the Royal Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh.
© Crown Copyright: HES
SC 1047874
Interior view of stairs at Thorn House, headquarters of Thorn Electrical Industries, Camden, London.
© RCAHMS
SC 1048486
External view of concrete steps and entrance door at Beaulieu, Hampshire, the holiday home of Sir Basil Spence.
© RCAHMS
SC 1057785
External view of the ceremonial stair in the courtyard of the British Embassy, Rome.
© RCAHMS
DP 026395
Interior view of the staircase and copper lamp at the Glasgow Art Club, 185 Bath Street, Glasgow.
© Crown Copyright: HES
DP 031272
Internal view of the ground floor entrance hall and staircase, Aberlour House, Moray.
© Crown Copyright: HES
DP 031685
Interior view of stairwell from the lower landing to main entrance hall, Fasque House.
© Crown Copyright: HES
DP 037067
Interior view of stairwell and cupola at No 31 Melville Street, Edinburgh.
© Crown Copyright: HES
DP 056368
Interior view of stairs leading to south blockhouse of Fort No. 3, Inchkeith, Firth of Forth.
© Crown Copyright: HES
DP 064237
Interior view of stairwell at Dundee Central Corps Salvation Army Hall, Dundee.
© Crown Copyright: HES
DP 064803
Interior view of entrance hall and staircase at Annick Lodge, Irvine.
© Crown Copyright: HES
DP 065837
Interior view looking down stairs, 43 Magdalen Yard Road, The Vine, Dundee.
© Crown Copyright: HES
DP 066607
Interior view of main staircase from top floor landing at Dargavel House, Bishopton.
© RCAHMS
DP 081855
Interior view showing detail of access stair to squash courts at George Watson's College, Edinburgh
© Crown Copyright: HES
DP 090481
Interior view of reception and main stair within Glasgow School of Art Student Union building.
© RCAHMS
DP 101304
Interior view of ground floor stair hall with detail of newel and balusters on staircase, Brough Lodge, Fetlar.
© RCAHMS
DP 101305
Interior view of ground stairs with detail of balusters on staircase, Brough Lodge, Fetlar.
© RCAHMS
DP 103664
Interior view from second floor of the Queen Mother library, Aberdeen showing original phase of building looking up the stairs towards 1970's and 80's extensions.
© Crown Copyright: HES
DP 109832
Detail of access ladder to Kiln No.1, Mayfield Brickworks. The style is reminiscent of omnibus tram stair tread design.
© RCAHMS
DP 145385
Interior view of stairs to Auditorium from Circle Bar at King's Theatre, Edinburgh
© RCAHMS
DP 148212
Interior view of main stair linking platform and concourse levels of Kelvinhall subway station, Glasgow.
© RCAHMS
DP 148250
View looking up the escalator tunnel linking Kelvinbridge subway station to Great Western Road, Glasgow.
© RCAHMS
DP 148266
Platform level view of tunnel openings flanking main stair leading to concourse of St George’s Cross subway station, Glasgow.
© RCAHMS
DP 172696
Interior view of staircase in the ground floor entrance hall at Craigie Hall, Rowan Road, Glasgow.
© RCAHMS
DP 195167
Exterior stair and fountain on south facade at Ravelston House, Edinburgh, view from south west.
© Crown Copyright: HES
DP 197809
Interior view of west stair from first floor landing, Ferguson Building, Burntisland Primary School.
© Crown Copyright: HES
DP 197997
Interior view of C Block stairs at Kirkcaldy High School, Kirkcaldy.
© Crown Copyright: HES
DP 212738
Interior view of stairwell in the east hall at Sir John Maxwell Primary School, Glasgow.
© Crown Copyright: HES
DP 212921
Interior view of main stairwell at Tynecastle High School, Edinburgh.
© Crown Copyright: HES
DP 212924
Interior view of main stairwell and roof light at Tynecastle High School, Edinburgh.
© Crown Copyright: HES
DP 212926
Interior view of main stairwell and roof light at the first floor level, Tynecastle High School, Edinburgh.
© Crown Copyright: HES
SC 1498850
External view of north east corner of Cummins Engine factory, Shotts, comprising two steel-framed blocks (completed in 1980), and the end of a raised walkway (left) with emergency external spiral stair. The more distant block (right) was the receiving area.
© Crown Copyright: HES
SC 1500816
Interior view of west stair hall from east, Highland Church of Tolbooth St John's, Edinburgh.
© Crown Copyright: HES
DP 227860
Detail of main stair balustrade and newel post, Sheriff Court House, Dornoch.
© Historic Environment Scotland
SC 1505087
External view of platform 4 stair, Perth Railway Station. Detail of stair leading up to steel footbridge to Platform 3, built by Alex Findlay of Motherwell in 1893.
© Crown Copyright: HES
