Timothy Clifford: "Major player on the international stage"

The Royal Scottish Academy, which is home to the contemporary arts north of the Border, co-occupies the Playfair building at the foot of The Mound with the National Galleries.

Both organisations say the extra space is badly needed to expand the arts in Scotland.

The additional space created by the underground extension would mean that blockbuster exhibitions, like the current Rembrandt one, would not displace the permanent collection on the Mound.

Dr Timothy Clifford, director-general of the National Galleries said the new space would not only "improve the quality of our facilities and resources for the communities which we serve, but it will ensure that Scotland is a major player on the international stage".

He added: "Soon we will have a gloriously refurbished and upgraded Royal Scottish Academy building linked to the existing National gallery by an underground extension - discreet, chic, adventurous and welcoming."