The Supreme Courts of Scotland, 2-11 Parliament Square, Edinburgh

The Supreme Courts of Scotland, located at 2-11 Parliament Square in Edinburgh, is an impressive Classical complex of justiciary buildings. Designed by Robert Reid, it was constructed between 1803 and 1810, with significant additions and alterations made from 1827 to 1838. Further changes were carried out by William Burn from 1827 to 1829, William Nixon in 1844, and William Thomas Oldrieve in 1906-1907, along with later 20th-century extensions. The building features a symmetrical, wide approximately U-plan layout with three stories and 31 bays, highlighted by a large central advanced five-bay pedimented hexastyle portico. It is situated on a sloping site that descends to eight stories on the south side, facing the Cowgate. Extensions onto the Cowgate at the southeast of the site are not considered of special interest.

The exterior is constructed of ashlar stone, with a chamfered, rusticated round-arched continuous covered arcade on the ground floor and coursed rubble at the rear. Architectural details include a base course, impost course, band course, and cill courses, along with a deep cornice and a balustraded parapet featuring decorative panels, some topped with stone sphinxes. The first-floor windows have moulded architraves and consoled cornices, with some being pedimented, while the second-floor windows are plain. The north elevation predominantly features 12-pane glazing in timber sash and case windows. The roof has various shapes, including piended and flat, covered with grey slates.

Internally, the building's features date mainly from the 18th and 19th centuries, with the courtrooms primarily reflecting 19th and early 20th-century designs. High-quality timberwork and plasterwork are prominent throughout. The early 19th-century courtrooms exhibit a classical style, while courtroom 9, known as the Oak Court, and the adjacent library, dating from the early 20th century, showcase Renaissance Revival style.