Caledonian Bank, Inverness

Caledonian Bank

1847

Channelled and painted ashlar

9-11 High Street, Inverness

This impressive three-storey, five-bay building really stands out: George and Peter Anderson call it "unquestionably the finest building in the north" (212). The ground floor piers support a balustraded balcony with large vases at each end, displaying medallions of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, and below the next floor are decorative swags. Four tapering Corinthian columns take over the division of the bays, and right at the top is a pediment with a richly carved tympanum. [Commentary continues below.]

Photograph, formatting and text by Jacqueline Banerjee.

[You may use this image without prior permission for any scholarly or educational purpose as long as you (1) credit the source and (2) link your document to this URL or cite the Victorian Web in a print document. Click on the image to enlarge it, and mouse over the text for links.]

The pediment carving is the work of Alexander Handyside Ritchie (1804-1870), whose even more elaborate work can also be seen on the former British Linen Bank, St Andrew Square, Edinburgh — an astonishing edifice. According to Anderson,

The centre figure is Caledonia, holding in her hand the Roman fasces, emblematical of unity. On the right is a figure representing the Ness, from whose side rises another female form, symbolic of a tributary stream. On the extreme right are two small figures rowing a bark, representing Commerce. On the left is Plenty pouring out the contents of her cornucopia; a reaper, with an armful of cut corn, a shepherd and sheep, emblematical of the rural interests of the country. The group has been generally admired, as have also the foliage and carvings in the lower compartments of the building. [212]

Mackenzie & Matthews was the first of three partnerships in which James Matthews was involved. WhenMackenzie died in 1854 at the early age of 40, Matthews, then based in Aberdeen, left Mackenzie's assistant William Lawrie (who later designed the Victorian Market), in charge of the Inverness office, eventually taking him into partnership in 1864. Later on, in 1877, he brought Mackenzie's son Alexander into partnership as well, running the new version of Mackenzie & Matthews in Aberdeen and Elgin, leaving the older office of Lawrie & Matthews in Inverness — where it was responsible for the Town House on the opposite side of the High Street.

Related Material

Bibliography

"9-11 High Street, Caledonian Bank, Inverness British Listed Buildings. Web. 8 January 2018.

Anderson, George, and Peter Anderson. Guide to the Highlands and islands of Scotland including Orkney and Zetland, descriptive of their scenery, statistics, antiquities, and natural history. Containing also directions for visiting the Lowlands of Scotland, with descriptive notices, and maps.... Edinburgh: A. and C. Black, 1850. Internet Archive. Contributed by University of California Libraries. Web. 8 January 2018.

Gifford, John. Highland and Islands. The Buildings of Scotland. London: Penguin, 1992.

"Inverness Historic Trail." Explore Inverness. Web. 8 January 2018.

"James Matthews." DSA (Dictionary of Scottish Architects). Web. 8 January 2018.

"Mackenzie & Matthews." DSA (Dictionary of Scottish Architects). Web. 8 January 2018.

"William Lawrie." DSA (Dictionary of Scottish Architects). Web. 8 January 2018.

Created 8 January 2018