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Latitude: 55.9509 / 55°57'3"N
Longitude: -3.1956 / 3°11'44"W
OS Eastings: 325433
OS Northings: 673742
OS Grid: NT254737
Mapcode National: GBR 8NG.58
Mapcode Global: WH6SL.WPFB
Plus Code: 9C7RXR23+9P
Entry Name: National Gallery Of Scotland, The Mound, Edinburgh
Listing Name: 1 the Mound, National Gallery of Scotland with Railings
Listing Date: 14 December 1970
Category: A
Source: Historic Scotland
Source ID: 364975
Historic Scotland Designation Reference: LB27679
Building Class: Cultural
Also known as: Edinburgh, The Mound, National Gallery Of Scotland
National Gallery of Scotland
National Gallery on the Mound
Edinburgh National Gallery of Scotland
National Galleries of Scotland
National Galleries of Scotland: National
National Gallery of Scotland.
ID on this website: 200364975
Location: Edinburgh
County: Edinburgh
Town: Edinburgh
Electoral Ward: City Centre
Traditional County: Midlothian
Tagged with: Art museum National museum
William Playfair, 1850-59 with later alterations and additions, including WT Oldrieve, 1911-12 (see Notes). Cruciform Ionic temple/gallery on stylobate. Paired Ionic columns in antis to centre at N and S with entrance in pronaos, flanked by tetrastyle Ionic porticoes. E and W elevations pilastraded; higher central transverse block with hexastyle Ionic porticoes to centre of E and W elevations. Antifixae and acroteria to plain pediments. Solid parapet to higher central section, balustered to lower.
INTERIOR: 2 ranges of top-lit lozenge-shaped and octagonal galleries. Corinthian-columned screens between galleries. Curved stairs to N and S to galleries at upper level.
Foundation stone laid by Prince Albert 30th August 1850. Funded by the Treasury and the Board of Trustees, a large part of the site being given by the City at a nominal cost. Twin porticoes to N and S reflect the building's original dual function, divided longitudinally to accommodate the exhibition galleries of the RSA to E and the National Gallery permanent collection to W. Cost constraint was a factor in the unadorned style of the building. In 1912 the RSA galleries moved to the former Royal Institution building to N (separately listed). Internal alterations were made by WT Oldrieve in 1911-12. A railway tunnel runs under the building. In 1970 additional galleries were constructed in the basement to SE. An underground link to the former RSA building, which will provide access from East Princes Street Gardens, a cafe, lecture theatre and bookshop is under construction (2001).
External links are from the relevant listing authority and, where applicable, Wikidata. Wikidata IDs may be related buildings as well as this specific building. If you want to add or update a link, you will need to do so by editing the Wikidata entry.
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