Image: Gabled former Bank of Scotland building in Somerled Square, Portree, with contrasting pale window surrounds by Victuallers, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Pointed arches, bargeboards and a crenellated porch give this active bank the character of a compact Gothic villa.
Quick facts
- Date
- Built 1873
- Architect / designer
- Matthews and Laurie
- Type
- Gothic former banking villa with crenellated porch
- Designation
- Listed building, Category B (LB13925)
- OS grid reference
- NG 48165 43668
Architecture and continuing use
Coursed rubble is sharpened by pale polished dressings, chamfered angles and hoodmoulds. Tripartite ground-floor windows, gabled upper bays and the battlemented porch create an intentionally picturesque square frontage.
Its story
Matthews and Laurie designed the building in 1873 for the Caledonian Bank. Its continuing financial use, now by Bank of Scotland, preserves the purpose for which its prominent civic-facing architecture was created.
Why it is included
It is a strong example of Victorian commercial confidence translated into an island-town scale and a continuing anchor on Somerled Square.
What to notice
- Nailhead ornament around the pointed entrance.
- Crenellated porch in the re-entrant angle.
- Bargeboarded gables and contrasting stone dressings.
Reading the surroundings
Visit during current branch hours for banking business. Follow staff instructions and do not photograph customers, security arrangements or private working areas.
Timeline
- Built 1873 Matthews and Laurie designed the building in 1873 for the Caledonian Bank. Its continuing financial use, now by Bank of Scotland, preserves the purpose for which its prominent civic-facing architecture was created.
- Present Operating Bank of Scotland branch.
What we know — and what remains uncertain
Branch hours and banking provision can change; check the bank before making a special journey.
Sources & further reading
- Historic Environment Scotland: Bank of Scotland, Somerled Square, LB13925 — Designation status, mapped location, construction phases, fabric, authorship and architectural or historical interest.
- Bank of Scotland: Portree branch — Current branch use, address, opening hours and accessibility information.
Location
OS grid reference NG 48165 43668 · Location confidence: High: the statutory designation supplies an official mapped National Grid Reference and the current source confirms the Place relationship or present identity. · Select the marker to open its satellite view in Google Maps. On desktop, drag Pegman (the yellow figure) onto a blue road. On mobile, turn on the Street View layer and tap a blue road. Other photo markers may be user-contributed.
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