Our Club first met in rooms occupied by the Architectural Association at 37 George Street in Edinburgh. In 1874 the Club moved to 24 Castle Street, above Aitken Dott, the well known art dealers. 

Founding members included a "Sculptor to Her Majesty in Scotland" and a "Painter and Limner to Her Majesty in Scotland" which was a position in the Royal Household in Scotland.  A 'limner' is an illustrator or depicter of images whose duties included "drawing pictures of the Monarch's person or successors or others of the Royal family for the decorment of the Royal houses and palaces".   The position of Limner was held by Sir Henry Raeburn in 1823 then by Sir David Wilkie.   Since 1932 it has been unpaid and there has been no requirement for the holder to produce works for either the monarch or the state.  It is presently held by Dame Elizabeth Blackadder RSA, RA.  The portrait, illustrated here but normally to be seen in the Peploe Room, is of J Thorburn Ross ARSA and, in so many ways, records an era long gone.

In 1882, with increasing membership, the club leased 28 Queen Street which had been occupied by the Law Institute.  Two years later, in 1894, the Club bought number 24 Rutland Square for £2,100 of which £500 was raised by members who contributed pictures for sale, put on concerts, dramatic performances and a fancy dress ball.  A loan that was negotiated for the balance was soon paid back.

A plan for the development of the land where Rutland Square and Rutland Street now stand was conceived in 1819. The land had been bought by John Learmonth who hired the architect John Tait (1787-1856).  After considerable modification of the original plans, Rutland Street was built in 1830 and in 1834 construction of Rutland Square began.  During the 1850s, Tait, who is buried in the Dean Cemetery, designed churches and schools across Scotland, as well as Clarenden Crescent, Eton Terrace, and Oxford Terrace in Edinburgh for the Heriot Trustees.    In 1831-32 the Dean Bridge, largely paid for by Learmonth, was built to connect Edinburgh with the Dean Estate that he bought for development in 1825.

It is presumed that the name Rutland was chosen by Learmonth, though the reason for it is obscure (The Place Names of Edinburgh).

One of the characteristics of the three-story houses on the north and south sides of the square are their Ionic porches.   The first owner of number 24 was Archibald Davidson, an advocate who lived there almost certainly until the 1860s.

The Club has made few changes to the building.  In 1895 in place of the three bedrooms that were on the top floor, one very large L-shaped room was created for billiard tables. The ceiling was raised and two large roof lights were put in.  These windows were blacked out during WWII.  In 1997 a large Studio was made providing wonderful light, ideal for drawing and painting.  Naturally, this is where the Club holds life and portrait painting, talks, film screenings, and concerts.  The space is also used for for music and play rehearsals and meetings.

The Club after 1895

The first lay members were elected reflecting the Club's wider remit. They included lawyers, physicians, teachers, merchants and businessmen; Patrick Geddes Professor of Botany, town planner and artist; David Masson Professor of English Literature; SS Laurie Professor of Education; Frederick Niecks Professor of Music; Samuel H Butcher Professor of Greek and J J Cossar-Ewart, Professor of Natural History.

A booklet published for the opening ceremony in November 1894 recorded "...the dignity and moral responsibility of Art in all its forms..." and expressed the hope that the life of the Club "...may stimulate many to strong effect, and inspire some to great achievements, and that Edinburgh may be glad, and even Scotland may be proud of what we are doing today."

To this day, it is still the case.

The Club's continuing ethos and character

A quotation from an article written by a Club member from the past perhaps best sums up the Club's continuing ethos and character: 
"I drop into the Scottish Arts Club with the feeling that I am coming into my own home.  I know that I will meet a group of friends or acquaintances who will not be drawn from any one quarter or interest of Scottish life, who make their living through one of the Arts or in any one of a hundred ways, but all of whom have been drawn together by an interest in things of the mind and spirit and also be a love, a particularly Scottish love, of good talk and good cheer."

Here people are at ease, they relax, discussing a wide range of topics, not only the Arts; and those with a curiosity about their whole environment and a spirit of enquiry will feel especially welcome.  It is a well known fact that its many members regard it as a home from home.