Original drawings for National Gallery released including pool plans

It shows underground baths and plunge pools incorporated into the building’s basement below the gallery.

The drawing is part of a Historic Environment Scotland collection and shows the elevation of the terrace and plan for the basement, the same area where the National Galleries of Scotland opened the Scottish galleries at the National in September 2023.

The plan shows separate male and female plunge pools, baths and dressing rooms as well as lodgings for the keeper of the women’s and men’s baths.

The male and female areas were to be separated by a 7ft wall and all the pools would be heated and it is one of many plans which were created ahead of the building of the National, alongside designs by Thomas Hamilton.

A drawing for the gallery (Image: National Gallery) William Henry Playfair was eventually commission to prepare the final designs for the building. The building was designed in the form of an ancient Greek temple, which helped Edinburgh earn a reputation as ‘The Athens of the North’.

It took almost five years to officially appoint Playfair as the architect after arguments between the board and the Royal Scottish Academy over what the building should look like.

Some believed it should not be built at all and would destroy the ‘natural beauty’ of the city centre of Edinburgh.

Playfair’s first plans differed from what was eventually built, with it originally due to have towers at the corners of the central block but they were abandoned due to financial concerns.

He was instructed to keep any kind of ornament to a minimum due to financial stringency and the council request that it ‘did not detract from the rugged grandeur of the Castle Rock’.

It led Lord Rutherford, a member of the board and leading champion of the Royal Scottish Academy, to say: “I feel sure that the architecture of this building will be too simple and pure to captivate the multitude, but I am certain I follow the right path in what I am doing and so am content.”

The gallery opened nine years after the first stone was laid with an officially opening on March 24, 1859.

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Anne Lyden, Director-General of the National Galleries of Scotland, said: “It is fascinating to look back on these old plans from 175 years ago and see where we started and where we are now.

“While the building stands true to its original design on the outside, we have continued to adapt inside, making Scotland’s world-class collection of art more accessible than ever before. 

“We continue to hold those ideals of the original founders, that art can be transformative to people’s health and wellbeing. We put this at the heart of everything we do, with the galleries free-to-visit 7 days a week and ensuring we make art work for everyone.

“We also continue to grow the visitor experience at the National. In 2023 we opened the Scottish galleries at the National, transforming the visitor experience with 12 new breath-taking accessible spaces dedicated to showcasing the very best historic Scottish art.

“Whether exploring the galleries with friends, stopping off in the café, or entertaining the family with new trails, audio guides and events, there is something for everyone to discover at the National… Although maybe not swimming pools.”