Including Wall And Railings, Advocates' Library, Parliament Square

The Advocates' Library, designed by W H Playfair in 1830 with alterations by Robert Matheson in 1856, is a two-storey and basement building in an L-plan layout. It features nine bays and is built in a Tudor collegiate style, serving as a purpose-built library for advocates. The library is located to the east of Parliament Hall and to the west of the National Library of Scotland, with distinctive full-height canted bay windows. The exterior is constructed from grey tooled ashlar and includes band courses and a cornice.

On the northeast elevation facing the courtyard, there are five-light bay windows with stone mullions. The entrance porch, which is advanced and pedimented, is located at the far left and features a recessed two-leaf, four-panel timber door set within a shouldered arched doorway. The Faculty of Advocates' crest and motto are displayed in the apex panel.

The windows predominantly feature a square five-pane vertical glazing pattern, with some incorporating hoppers. The roof is covered with grey slates and has piended sections.

Inside, as seen in 2007, the library boasts an excellent decorative scheme with many original features. It includes a remarkable deep square-coffered ceiling with central pendants, a deep decorative plaster cornice with a patera design, timber bookcases and shelving, and various fire surrounds made of moulded stone and marble, as well as timber fire surrounds, one of which has an elaborately carved timber mantle. The rooms are adorned with timber panelling, and swing doors to the east lead to Parliament Hall, while a corridor links to the National Library to the west.

To the north, there is a low ashlar wall topped with decorative cast iron railings and a gate.