15 Rutland Square

History

15 Rutland Square was the townhouse of Sir Robert Rowand Anderson (1834 - 1921), one of Scotland's most distinguished architects, who designed Glasgow Central Station, Mount Stuart House on Bute and the Scottish National Portrait Gallery. As founder and first President of the RIAS he bequeathed the house and its furnishings to the Incorporation.

The building, which dates from the 1830s, was designed by the architect John Tait and sits in the western-most area of the Edinburgh's New Town. The interiors of the building have been sensitively adapted as offices and meeting rooms to address the needs of a dynamic creative profession.

The Building

Upon entering 15 Rutland Square a small entrance hallway gives onto the bookshop/reception area. A Members Room (the Joyce B. Deans Room) with comfortable seating sits just behind the bookshop. The bookshop and the Joyce B. Deans Room are open to visitors and the Incorporation's Members during the working day. However, by evening, both rooms are suitable for small gatherings, receptions or pre-dinner drinks.

The large and impressive Council Room on the first floor is the most elaborately decorated of the Incorporation's rooms. The meeting table (Sir Robert's dining table) comfortably seats up to twelve. Theatre style the room accommodates up to forty. The adjoining Library is suitable for catering. As the two rooms are separated by a sliding screen, they can be used in tandem for receptions of up to sixty guests or a sit down meal for a maximum of forty.

The Council Room displays one of Scotland's finest collections of Twentieth Century portraiture, depicting virtually all of the Incorporation's Past Presidents. The Library still contains its historic bookcases.

The Incorporation's interior decor and its services and toilet accommodation have been extensively upgraded. All the public rooms in the building have full wireless internet connectivity. The Council and Garden Rooms feature large screen monitors for PowerPoint presentations.

Getting to No. 15

Public transport links to 15 Rutland Square are excellent. On street parking is limited but there is a large public car park at Haymarket, within comfortable walking distance. Train or bus is the preferred option for most visitors.

The RIAS is open from Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm.

Note: unfortunately, like many of Edinburgh's historic buildings, 15 Rutland Square is not wheelchair accessible.