Menoodling; A Little Curiosity

While visiting Falkland, I was struck by this doorway...

I mean, we like doorways, don't we? Portals of all varieties hold all sorts of feelings - invitation, comfort... foreboding...

However, it was not so much the door itself that drew me on this occasion. Did you notice it? In the stonework of the lintel? Here's a closer look, just to be clear!

I was mystified. Colour me ignorant - at least at that point. You just know I had to find out, right?!

What got me, once I searched this, was how on earth I could NOT have known about this institution, given it was founded and flourished in Edinburgh. I am reaching the conclusion that even an entire lifetime of familiarity with that city will not reveal all its nooks and crannies to me!

Anyway, the nutshell version is that this 'bank' was founded in the 18th century to further the linen weaving industry in Scotland... but due to the Jacobite uprising the year before foundation, it had to overcome prejudice by using 'British' in the title, with the conciliatory symbolism of the English Rose settled between the two Scots Thistles. Initially, it was a company and limited to the linen commercial benefit, only becoming a bank about fifteen years later. It was eventually bought over by Barclays Bank and later again by the Bank of Scotland.

For the keen ones who wish to know the key points and timeline, this Grace Guide page will satisfy you. For a fuller, more narrative history, good ol' Wikipedia helps out.

On that latter page, I noted that the St Andrew's Square building, which was the headquarters for a long time, does not have the same grandiose stonework lintel. I am intrigued that the Falkland branch did. Then again, the town had been a major centre for linen weaving for many years. I found a page of photos from the factory in the late 19th and early 20th century - one can see how it dominated this small town. In one, you can clearly see the palace building to the left, which gives dimension - if you hover over the images, there's a little more info. It turns out that an extension was made to the factory for producing linoleum. This industry was very big in nearby Kirkcaldy. You can also see some of the linen workers, as well as those taking over the newer works.

Nothing remains of any of those buildings. 

Back at the Linen Bank Wiki page, another image caught my attention. That of the original foundation premises. On biggification, the door lintel yet again intrigued...clearly, after the upgrade to St Andrew's Square, these lads took over the premises. Oliver and Boyd were printers of mainly educational texts and children's books, as well as the annual Edinburgh Almanack. If you feel so inclined, you can have a browse of the 1819 edition at the National Library of Scotland Archive Online!

My penchant for architectural features pulled up some wee gems, eh? (Or are you bored to tears>>>)