St Andrew's House, Government building in Calton Hill, Edinburgh, United Kingdom.
Description
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.
History
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.
Culture
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.
Practical
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.
Did you know?
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.
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