National Library of Scotland, 57 George IV Bridge, Edinburgh

National Library of Scotland, 57 George IV Bridge, Edinburgh

This imposing national library was designed by Reginald Fairlie between 1934 and 1936, with construction commencing in 1937. The building was completed in 1958, following suspension of work during the Second World War. It is designed in a classical-Modern style and features stylised bas-relief and sculptures by Hew Lorimer.

The building's structure consists of a steel framework encased in concrete with reinforced concrete floors. Two tall upper floors, accessed from George IV Bridge level, sit atop seven bookstack floors positioned below the bridge. The front and side elevations are clad in cream-coloured Blaxter ashlar sandstone, while the rear elevations are rendered brick with raised margins. The northeast corner adjoins and is internally connected to the Advocates Library.

The George IV Bridge elevation comprises a tall nine-bay central block flanked by three-bay lower-height wings. The base course is grey granite with rusticated stonework at ground floor level and ashlar above, including a plain entablature. Plain ashlar panels sit between the ground floor windows. The upper two-thirds of the building, indicating the central reading hall, is windowless. The central seven bays are separated by plain pilasters, each bay containing a sculptured allegorical figure in a niche with a carved roundel above. The central entrance features a tall moulded architrave with a carved Royal Arms above the door. Each bay of the lower flanking wings and side return has a tall ground floor window and a carved panel positioned just below the cornice.

The windows predominantly have a 12-pane glazing pattern in timber sash and case frames. The taller ground floor windows in the flanking side wings display an 18-pane glazing pattern. Rainwater goods are cast iron. The glazed entrance door is a replacement.

A three-storey steel-frame extension with a flat roof was built in 1982–86, wrapping around the southeast corner and occupying most of the former Cowgate yard area. The Cowgate (south) elevation features rusticated stonework at ground floor level and ashlar Blaxter sandstone above.

The entrance hall is finished with green Westmorland slate flooring and octagonal columns clad in slate, with teak panelling and original geometric light fittings. To the right of the entrance is the exhibition room; to the left is the former boardroom, now used as a lecture hall, which has an oak parquet floor. A barrel-vaulted passage leads to the main staircase, which splits into two returns at the landing. The stair treads and risers are green Westmorland slate with black and grey marble borders. The wrought-iron decorative balustrade is painted black with gold leaf and has a mahogany handrail. The main staircase window comprises square glass panels etched with alternating thistles and Scottish crowns and the arms of the principal benefactors, designed by A R Conlon. The entrance wall was remodelled in the early 21st century to create a café and information area.

The catalogue hall and reading room feature two-leaf timber and glazed doors with bronze door handles decorated with a thistle motif and fluted timber architraves. Timber fixtures in the catalogue hall are mahogany, including bookcases, timber panelling to columns and door architraves. The catalogue hall was remodelled in 1986 and 1998–99, with desks replaced. Timber fixtures in the reading room are walnut, including bookcases, timber panelling and original desks with green leather covering. The compartmented plaster ceiling contains large circular glazed cupolas. A mezzanine floor was added in 1973–74. Flanking the reading room are the former special collections rooms, now offices, which feature floor-to-ceiling painted pine bookcases and are lit by a central rectangular cupola.

Seven floors of bookstacks lie below George IV Bridge level. Beneath the bridge roadway are large water storage tanks for the sprinkler system and walls of the former tenements.