St Andrew's House

St Andrew's House is a government building on the south side of Calton Hill in Edinburgh housing offices of the Scottish Government. The Art Deco complex consists of a metal framework with concrete walls faced in Darney stone and extends across eight floors along the slope.

The opening on September 4, 1939, made this building the first central location for all Scottish government departments previously scattered across the city. The structure replaced the Calton Jail, which stood on this site through the 19th century and was demolished in 1927.

Civil servants make decisions for all of Scotland within these walls, which form the central seat of Scottish administration. The choice of location on Calton Hill underscores the political importance this neighborhood has held for centuries.

The main entrance is on Regent Road, and visitors can view the exterior of the building and surrounding gardens from public pathways. The interior serves as a working space for around 1,400 government employees and is not open to tourists.

The car park contains the graves of ten executed criminals from the former Calton Jail, which still rest beneath the asphalt today. These remains recall the site's past as a penal institution before the government moved in.

Location: City of Edinburgh

Location: Edinburgh

Inception: 1939

Architects: Thomas S. Tait

Architectural style: Art Deco

GPS coordinates: 55.95350,-3.18400

Latest update: December 5, 2025 22:30